The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-01-24
WILL MAKE NO CHANGE
Condition of Affairs on the North
ern Cheyenne Reservation.
SETTLERS MAKE A KICK
Conferen ces With the Department of the
Interior = The Indian Commission
Goodies the Thieving Indians
The Shafroth Bill.


Special Correspondence OF the STANDARD.
Washington, d. c.. Jan. 20.-The In
dian Office has this week been consider
ing the condition of affairs on the
Northern Cheyenne reservation. Presi-
dent Joseph Scott of the Montana
Cattle Growers association. accompa-
MED by Representative Brown and MIR.
Stevens, who are settlers on the reserv-
alton, has been here several days
endeavoring TO secure some change in
reservation affairs. The Montana sena-
tors and member have co-operated with
the visitors in their effort, and confer
ences have been had with Secretary OF
the Interior and Indian Commissioner
Jones. AT these conferences Senator
Mantle undertook to get favorable
recommendation from the secretary and
Indian commissioner for an amendment
to this years Indian appropriation bill
correcting the difficulties now existing
on the reservation. Thus far this effort
has been unsuccessful, owing to the
decided inclination of the officials TO
protect to the very last any possible
vested rights of the Indians. 1t was
not easy to impress upon the secretary
and commissioners a knowledge of the
embarrassments surrounding the set
tiers.
Progress was also blocked by the fact
that the commission appointed some
years ago to visit the Indians on the
nelBnDOElnE Crow reservation anu ar
range If possible for the transfer of the
Cheyennes, has never visited the Crows
President Scott says that the settlers
on the Rosebud are willing to sell out
their homesteads and improvements to
the government, but those on Tongue
river do not want to sell out. Tney
have spent many years on the reserv-
alton, have made extensive improve
ments and gathered cattle. They will
not be satisfied to receive merely pay
for their lands and improvements. The
basis of their settlement on the reserv-
alton was the use OF the ranges for
their cattle, and In the event of the
loss of this they desire compensation
for It,
1t has been reported to the Indian
commissioner that the plans OF Indian
Agent Stouch contemplate the fencing
of The reservation, which would practl-
cally deprive the settlers of the use of
the range. and render their possessions
almost worthless. Senator Mantle IN
his statement to the secretary and the
Indian commissioner urged that the
settlers be permitted to use enough of
the ranges to preserve the value of
their property and assure them OF sup
port for their stock. He also argued in
favor of the renewal of negotiations for
the removal of the Cheyennes. He Is,
however. not at all hopeful of getting
compromise that Will be acceptable all
around, and his view is that of the
other Montana men who have interest
ed themselves in the effort TO secure
such compromise.
The members from the intermountain
states have been making a strong effort
TO defeat an amendment Which the
house has inserted in the urgent def
cheney bill by which gold producers
must pay the transportation charges
from assay offices To the mints. This
only carried in the house by narrow
H. .sV akA IA a
larger proportionate membership from
the mountain states than the houss,
was defeated there. This amounts to
taxing gold shipped from remote assay
offices about 40 cents an ounce. This
expense was heretofore bofne py the
government
The auditor for the interior depart
ment, Hon. William Youngblood. has
addressed a communication 10 the SEN
ale on the subject of the liability or
registers and receivers on their bonds
for the proceeds arising from the sales
of Indian lands. In this letter he says
Ii is absoluteiy essential to the security
and protection of the interests of the
United States and their wards that leg
islation be enacted. He says at the
present time Indian lands are being dis
posed of at 10 or more land offices, the
proceeds of which amount to hundreds
of thousands of dollars year, Tor which
the sureties on the bonds of receivers
are not liable. In cider to secure and
/ protect the interests of the l. nited
States It Is recommended that there be
added to the revised statutes the fol-
lowing words: THE registers and re-
ceiyers shall have charge of and attend
/ to the sale of the public and Indian
| lands within their respective land DIS
| tricts, as provided for by law and off
cial regulations. and receivers shall be
| accountable under their official bonds
/ for the proceeds of such sales. and for all
fees, commissions or other moneys re-
/ ceived by them under any provision OF
law or official regulation"
Auditor Youngblood bases his recon-
mendations on the suit brought against
| the sureties on the bond of eS-Receiver
! Danelson at Biackfoot Idaho. In that
/ case 1t was decided that registers and
receivers may receive the same compen-
saton from the sale of Indian lands that
they do from the sale of public lands.
] and that if the proceeds from the sale
i of Indian lands are sufficient they are
/ entitled to the maximum compensation
/ of So, 900. in addition to the compensation
/ allowed them by law for the sale of
/ public lands. Thus their compensation
! for the sale of both classes of lands may
4 reach $4,000.
The house committee on public lands
has been canvassed and is believed To
/ be favorable TO the passage of the
I Shafroth bill ceding arid lands 10 the
states. The committee has several
members from the Western states. and
! they have exerted a great deal of influ-
/ ence over their colleagues. The Shafroth
bill is of particular interest to the people
/ of Montana. He has another bill provid-
ing that all lands heretofore granted 10
! the several states for school purposes
on which no mineral claim has been filed
shall be conclusiNelS presumed 10 have
been unknown Ia be mineral lands be-
fore the admission of the state. Under
/ this bin the registers and receivers of
/ land offices are authorized 10 reject
/ mineral applications fer entry ON such
/ lands
/, Congressman Hartman WAS this week
/ entertained at dinner by Congressman
I Spalding of Michigan. on this occa-
4 sion he made the acquaintance of Hon.
/ Fred A Baker. chairman of the demo-
/ cratic state committee OF Michigan and