The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-01-08
Ia PorNTE AND GREEN BAr
Some Recent Experiesees OF the Iaaians OF
These Agenetes.

WASHINGTON. Jan. IA few years ago
the scandals connected with the La Pointe
agency were such as to call for an investiga.
ton by tho senate OF the United States. which
showed that the agent had been violating the
regulations OF the Interior Department for tho
cutting OF timber and that the Indians had
been threatened with violence for trying TO
prevent the loggors from carrying of their
property At tho Green Bay agency there
were troubles OF another sort. due to tho man.
ner In which the logging was conducted with
the result Of depriving them for time OF re-
sources on which they relied. The lands of
several bands Of the Chippewas In Wisconsin
and Minnesota are rich in timber which should
always yield them remunerutive labor In log
gng and largo tribal resources from its sale.
Yet year after year they have trouble from one
source or another
Ihe last Congress appropriated $4,000 for
purchasing food. clothing. and other ncce ssa-
ries Tor tho Indians OF La pointe agency. II
seems that their distress had been due to
refusal Of the authorities to let them cut and
sell logs. on the ground that certain legisla-
tton was needed for the purpose. As their
wants were urgent, Congress voted money to
relieve them. yet with the proviso that II should
be paid back out Of the sale OF land or tim.
Der. Those red men. supposed to be wards OF
Interior Department. because Congress mad
not supplied Legislation which they could not
furnish themselves. Yet its peculiar philan-
thropy proposed to make them pay in full for
any snrcnr 1t might furnish thereby also
might have done for tem Tbe s' rs,, Was
that the Indians refused to take even food and
blankets on this condition. Upon the Fond dn
under the LA Pointe agency unlawful cutting
u timber mas bcen gong on with the direct
This officer was of course discharged. but Sec.
retary Nohle says that i is believed that the
900 feet Of timber and he now hopes % That the
Government viii receive the MD Of ali tho cit
liens Of the section Of the country where thi,
committed. whereby. the trespassers have
secured. or attempted TO secure. lumber In mn
resIect the law must pay. putting. it upon the
m nm,y In with that honestly and
The experience of the Menomonecs OF Green
sort. The last Congress put an end to the
trees by passing a law which authorized them
to he employed at reasonable compensation
Hereapon to be sold to the Highest T bdder Mt to
an extent not exceeding 2O,OoOOW feet in one
business. including the sale. and an appro-
priaton Of S7o.OOO was made for tho purpose,
to he reimbursed out Of the first proceeds.
begun under the law. II was found that the
limit Ind boon exceeded BY .. 7Ga.56O feet.
What course was taken under those crcum-
stances The whole quantity cut was very
ludiciomsly sold since had the surplus been
left on the river Gank. it would certainly nave
detcri9rated hy exposure. and might have
been destroyed by forest fires. But instead Of
passing the proceeds amounting to S2s2.
TO tho credit Of the Indians. less the $4,000
advanced by the Government. the authorities
very conscicntiously deducted from thcm
S21.433 for the timber cut in excess Of tho
legal limit. The Indians worked In many diff
fcrent camps. widely separated. and. as they
urge. unavoidnbly during their first season
under the pew law exceeded the limit. But
Secretary Noble sRvs that the department.
constituting the law strictly. caused the S27.-
453. 40 to DO covered into the Treasury to the
credit Of tho United States II is fair to add
that he recommends that Congress should
give them the benefit OF this money. which
clearly belongs to them If to anybody. Under
the law four-fifths of their year. earnings from
this. source are deposited in the Treasury. the
is the other, NTH. which the Secretary may
eXEend for their benefit in any way he sees fit.
While these illustrations show soma of the
difficulties which still attend tho relations of
the Government with the Chippewas OF Wis
consin and Minnesota. whose lands are COW
cred with imber. there is good ground for be-
lieving that some old abuses have been dimin-
ished. and that the Indians are becoming
better able to put these resources to good ac-
count for their support.