OCR Text |
Show COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFBAIRS. 5 particular so that he may have the opportunity of working out his own destiny. The practical application of this principle will relieve from the guardianship of the Government a very large number of Indians who are qualified to mingle on a plane of business equality with the white people. It will also begin the reduction of expendi-tures, and afford a better opportunity for closer attention to those who will need our protecting care for some years longer. A vitally important result also will be obtained in placing a true ideal before those Indians remaining under guardianship. It will be a strong motive for endeavoring to reach the goal of competency, and prove a material incentive to a sincere effort for that end. This new declaration of policy is calculated to release practically all Indians who have one-half or more white blood, although there will be exceptions in the case of those who are manifestly incom-petent. It will also give like freedom from guardianship to those, having more than one-half Indian blood when, after careful investiga-tion, it is determined that they are capable of handling their own affrtirs. This latter class, however, will be much more limited since only about 40 per cent of the Indiana of the country speak the English language and the large majority of this latter claas still greatly need the protecting arm of the Government. As an additional safeguard for those Indians of half or 1ess.white blood, a homestead commensurate with the value of the property to be patented may be retained by the allottee and made inalienable except by approval of the Secretary of the Interior. In other cases of manifeat incompetency, the trust period on their land will be extended whenever it is deemed beneficial and in the interest of the Indians themselves. As a corollary of this central idea of the declaration, a more liberal policy has been adopted in the sde of inherited lands and Indian allotments, and the Indians are urged to sell that portion of their . land which is not available or adaptable for their own uses and utilize the proceeds for the improvement of their remaining land or increasing their facilities for its fuller development by purchasing stock, machinery, etc. A liberd policy is now being pursued in allowing the use of the proceeds of the sde of the lands of old and indigent Indians, and following the general line of procedure of State laws, in dl sale8 of allotted lands where circumstances warrant it, a part of the allot-ment may be retained as a homestead so that the Indian may not be deprived of a home. Especially is this desirable where an Indian and his wife need such place during their declining years. |