The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-07-04

and also gave hearing to Representa-
tive Page Morris. of Minnesota, in the
interest of the alleged intruders.
Commissioner Jones contended that the
interests of the Indians and of the gov
eminent called for the strict enforcement
of the order
Mr.. Hermann advocated the govern
ment selling all the agricultural lands.
Judge Morris asked for revocation of
abe order, or it's suspension until con-
gress meets, and that as soon as the
dead and down timber issue is closed
the whole matter be left in statu quo.
Secretary Hitchcock declined to sus-
pend enforcement until congress meets
but deferred final action.
In this connection the department re-
ccived word today from Capt. Mercer
acting Indian agent in charge at Leech
lake, that all the alleged intruders will
quit in tie prescribed time, and that there
is only one of the parties with whom he
anticipates any trouble.
PAGE MORRIS PROTEST.
Representative Page Morris presented
very strong protest against the order
of removal of all white settlers on the
Cass Lake reservation. The position
taken by Judge Morris is indorsed by
Senator Davis, who unites with him in a
strong request that the order be revoked.
The petition of settlers at Cass Lake as
presented through Morris, is an interest
ing sequel to the policy of the interior
department in it's dealings with the pine
land question during the past year. The
petition sets forth that in accordance
with existing law, known as the Nelson
act, estimates were made and appraise-
ments taken of lands on Cass Lake reser-
walton; that III further accordance there
. with Land Commissioner Hermann an
nounced publicly that there would be a
sale of said lands on May 10, 1899 and in
the expectancy that the sale would come
of as advertised number of settlers
went into the reservation, some of them
having an understa nding as to what lands
they would bid on when the same were
offered. Judge Morris claims that these
men have expended large sums of money
In making improvements and putting in
stocks of goods at the town of Cass Lake
That they were justified in so doing bv a
certainty that the sale would take place
and they would then be given opportunity
to purchase lands
But the sale was held up. The esti-
mates were declared off and a sharp issue
was made between the general land office,
which wanted to make the sale and the
indian office, which wanted to POSTPONE
IL. All sorts of charges of frauds. thefts
and other law-breaking have been made
on both sides, and neither the government
nor the Indians nor the settlers know
Where they stand today. The wood
chuck in the last Indian approximation
Dill Virtually gives the secretary an on
ton on enforcing the Nelson act
WARM ARGUMENT.
Secretary Hitchcock and Judge Morris
had a rather warm time. Morris stated
his position clearly and plainly from the
standpoint of a lawyer and did not hest
tate to tell the secretary wherein his off,
Gals mad made errors
Mr.. Hitchcock is not at all inclined to
modify the order for removal He claims
that Morris position is untenable. In the
frst place the land upon which Cass Lake
town is located was entered as an Indian
allotment by Nellie Lydeck
The question of allowing the entry hoe
not been settled, and all these so1iatters
and storekeepers who have built nm a
town there were doing so witbout the
SHADOW of right or authority.
Admitting all that Judge Morris claims
.epout what the settlers have a right TO
expect. Hitchcock still holds that after IL
was. decided not to ho,d the sale on NAV
~, the settlers should have quietly n,II1od
out, but instead they have been goino
ahead and have, in fact created sort
OF boom on lands which do not belong To
them. ~