Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1899-07-27
PRIVILEGES OF INDIANS.
Special Laws for Their Bene eft Passe(
by Congress and in the
States. J

There are, approximately, 1000 In
dams in the United States, and the
larger number Of them maintain suGh
tribal organizations as exempt them
from the operation of the ordinary laws
of the country. They have their own
governments, tribunals and tribal reg
ulations, enjoy exemption from taxa
ton, jury duty and military service,
and have the benefit of the various pro-
visions made in treaties from time to
time whereby the United States gov
eminent assures them certain lands,
certain amount Of subsistence and in
some cases cash payments. From the
foundation of the government until the
present the Indians have cost the fed
eral government, exclusive of the sum
set apart for military expeditions, forts
and reservations and exclusive of the
sums appropriated by the states, about
$300,000,O00 in disbursements, the av-
erage sHoGnt Of which is now about
100000 900 year.
In nearly all the states of the country
Indians are the subject of special stat
utory provisions, and, although their
number seems to grow less each year,
the number of Indian statutes, as they
are called, does not diminish year by
year. AS recently as 1897, for instance,
Utah, the last admitted of the states,
adopted a statute making it unlawful
for anyone to sell liquor within ten
miles of an Indian reservation, except
in cities and towns. Under the liquor
&ox 1or, - Il OO,f1
made penal offense to sell or give
away any liquor to any intoxicated per-
son, to any habitual drunkard, or to any
Indian. Section of article / of the
real estate code of New York. so called,
provides that the heirs of an Indian to
whom real property was granted for
military services rendered during the
hold such real property by descent, as
if they were citizens of the state at the
time of the death of their ancestor. A
conveyance of such real property to
citizen of this state, executed by such
Indian or his heirs after March Z, 1909,
is valid, if executed with the approval
Of the surveyor-general or state engi-
ACCA anu ouA Wy VI iI1uoi oCu CASASuPoA'
The Indians of Florida have been
faring very well in matters of legisla-
ton designed for their government and
betterment. The Semirl e Indians of
Florida by the treaty Of 1882 re-
linquished to the United States all title
to lands in that state. In later years
recognition has been given to those re-
naming in Florida by the appropria-
ton of money for their education and
civilization. In 1894 congress made
further appropriation of $4,000 for the
purpose of civilizing and educating the
Seminole Indians, one-half Of the
amount to be used in securing lands
for permanent homes. Each succeeding
year congress has made an appropria-
ton Of the same amount, to be used for
the same purpose. There has been pur-
chased from these appropriations land
near the Everglades amounting to 5000
acres. In all states the Indians enjoy
certain exemptions, and one section Of
the New York state constitution pro-
vides that mo purchase or contract for
the sale of lands in this state made since
the 18th day of October, 1875, or which
may hereafter be made, of or with the
Indians, shall be valid, unless made I'M
der the authority and with the consent
of the legislature" IN. Y. Sun.