, 1884-11-29

With regard to the leasing of Indian
lands by stockmen, and with reference to
complaints made by the cattlemen of
Northern Wyoming and Montana, Secre-
tary Teller speaks as follows in his annual
report:
In my last report l called attention to
the occupation of certain Indian reserva-
tons by stockmen and their herds, under
an arrangement made with the Indians. L
decline to treat these arrangements as
leases made on the part of the Indians,
but did treat them as licenses on the part
of the Indians recognized by section 2ll7
of the Revised Statutes. l do not under
stand that the parties so occupying these
lands with the consent of the Indians are
there in violation of law, but their condi-
ton is not a satisfactory one either to
themselves or the Department. The
Department in allowing them to remain
reserved the right to put them off of such
reservation, Notwithstanding such permit
or license, if the Department considered it
necessary to do so in the interest of the
Indians. The amount paid for such priv
ileges is understood to be 2 cents per acre
for the lands so occupied. This amount
is not a fair compensation at this time for
the use of such lands, or for at least a
considerable portion thereof. Much OF
the land SO occupied could be leased at
from 4 to 6 cents per acre.
1t is believed that the cattlemen will
very readily consent to double or treble
the price now paid if they can have some
assurance that they will not be disturbed
at the within or caprice of the Indians
The amount now received, $I2.33 per
capita. is a sum quite sufficient, if the
Department could control its payment to
the Indians, to aid materially in their
support and civilization. A family of five
persons would receive S6l.6 5 per annum
at 2 cents per acre. At 6 cents per acre
the amount realized would 20 far toward
their support without further aid from the
Government.
Other tribes also have good grazing
lands that might be leased at profitable
rates, leaving the Indians a sufficient
quantity of land for their W use, eithel
for agriculture or grazing. Some legisla
ton should be had on the subject to en-
able the Government to demand and re
ceive for the Indians the full value foi
the occupation Of their lands, and to pre-
vent conflicts between rival claimant
holding such licenses or privileges
Such occupants are not on tn
reservation in violation of Law
if they have the consent of the Indians
yet should their conduct be such as I
convince the Department that thei
presence is injurious to the Indians, it !
r quite difficult to say what would be tn
| result of an attempt on the part of tn
, Department to remove them if tn
Indians continue to consent to their re
naming. While there can be no obieC
q ton to allowing tho Indians of the India
Territory to lease their lands for grain
r purposes. there is a serious objection t
2 allowing tho Indians on reservations out
D side of the Indian Territory to leas
t lands valuable for agricultural purpose
r for the purpose of grazing only. If tn
reservation is larger than is required fc
d the use of the Indians occupying il
there should be a reduction thereof, an
all that is not needed for the use of tn
Indians should be opened to settlement
The time has passed when large an