OCR Text |
Show -14- A/1 th in carrying out the present law would be to obt/iin some such legislation as was provided in Liie case of the Chippewa Indians in Minnesota and other Indians in Northern Montana and Fort Berthold (24 StatsX p.44). For example, such authority as this! To enable tie Secretary of the Interior to negotiate with the Uncompahgre tribe o.f Indians and with tiie Indians residing upon the Uintah Indian Reservation, in Utah, for such modification of existing treaties and agreements with said Indians end such change in thoir reservations as may be deemed desirable by said Indians and tiie Secretary of the InLerior, incusand dollars,. or so much thereof as nay be necessary; but no agreement made shall take effect until ratified by Congress. Witli such general authority I think an agreement could be reached .ath the Indians which would be satisfactory both Lo them and Liie whites who were interested in procuring tie legislation under wiiich the ULe Commission is now operaLing. I desire Lo direct attention Lo one other point requiring your consideration. Section 20 of toe Act of August 15th, 1894, euLnori_.es and directs the appointment of a commission of three persons to allot lands in severalty LO Liie Uncompahgres, and section ;_2 provides that said Coiuidssion shall also negotiate with the Uintah Indians. 'Hie coiuiiission was originally composed of three persons, buL one |