OCR Text |
Show -3- gi.veralty of lands v/ithin said reservation, and said cown issioners shall report any agreement made bv tliern with said Indians, v.hich • -gre''.inent shall become operative only when ratified by Act of Congress." The Commission - Messrs. Scott, Byrnes and Davis - entered u-.on their duties under instructions approved by you December 8, 1894. On January 8, 1895, they submitted a report in widen they referred to the provisions in the Act o.f June 5th, 1880 (supra), ratifying the agreement with the Utes, which require that tha Uncompahgre Indians shall pay $1.^5 per acre for m e hinds allotted ihem," and stated that these Indians were unable to see why they should be required to pay for the lands to be allotted to uiem, while tho Uintahs, living alongside, were not required to make such payment. The Commission anticipated great difficulty-in satisfactorily explaining this matter to the Indians and suggested whether it would not be best for the Government to rolieve the Indians of tnis payment. January ?Z>, 1895, I roc onmended that a section be added to the tnen pending Indian Appropriation Bill relieving the Uncompahgre Indians of the payment required by the Act of Jr-ne 5, 1880, but favorable action was not taken by Congress. As fie liave already seen the requirement as to tiis payment is re-i.- esAed in the Act of August 15th, 1894 (supra). In your Annual Report for 1895 lp.10) 1 observe that you do r.ot feel inclined to favor the suggestion for relieving these |