The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-03-17
BEARS on CROW TREATY
Government Discontinues Paying
Large Sums for Reservation
Land-Settlers Pay Direct.

turned to Missoula from his visit to
shortly before the adjournment of the
last congress to obtain an insight into
matters and to use his influence in the
interest of the pending treaty with
the Crows for cession. of a portion of
their reservation. He is Of the opinion
that he learned much and that be-
cause of the trip he will be able to
be of much more service to the state
than if he had not made the journey.
Change Of Policy.
Among other knowledge he acquired
was that hereafter the government in
tends to pursue a different policy with
the Indians as regards opening of
reservations than in the past. This
decision was arrived at after the su-
preme court of the United States had
rendered it's judgment in the case of
Lone Wolf, ct al, against the secre-
tary of the interior, in which it has
been held that the Indians are wards
of the government and as such are
bound by the best judgment of the
government when it comes to the
question of selling their lands; in 9th
err words. the court holds that in or
der to open a reservation or any part
thereof it is not necessary to obtain
Alo 1@~~0- 80 tl~ To1io n~ o~ n rNsa-
| requisite; that they are not entitled to
any recognition, but must be regarded
as all other wards, without Compel
| ency to judge as to what is best for
| themselves, that being a matter for
| the guardian to decide. H%enceforth
\ it is the intention of the government
to treat the Indians as individuals,
instead of members of a commune
or tribe and that in the opening of
the Grow or any other reservation
it will no longer be the governments
plan to pay out vast sums of money
t. the Indians for land, but to ar
range it that the entryman shall pay
for his land direct to the Indians, in
stead of to the government, the lat
ter standing merely as an interme-
diary between the two.
Mr.. Dixon discussed Indian matters
with Speaker Cannon and with the
chairman of the house committee on
Indian affairs and both informed him
OF the adoption of the new policy and
The governments decision to make
the exchange of money and lands
directly between the Indians and set
tiers.
He said that the Grow treaty bill
passed the house, but wen to sleeI
in the senate. Mr.. Dixon is sanguine
however, that both the Grow and
Flathead reservations will be opened
in part at the next session of con
gress.
Called on President.
;. While at Washington Mr.. Dixon wa
, twice a caller on President Roose
welt, being both times accompanied
NY 0GlldlOl 1lUoOA. Tx oOSOAu S0A
!, was in response to an invitation O
the president. "The president know:
all about Montana" said Mr.. Dixon
He is well informed On all the in!
and outs of it's policies and is acquaint
: ed with it's needs. He is most active il
his efforts to win support for his IL
r;~ot;or p1onc uyhioh hn f,,11v hn1inVni
| will prevail in time, and to the recog
milton of which he is forcing the east
. ern members.
. Roosevelt is earnest about tn
trusts, and it is no breach of part,
courtesy for me to say that some o
the eastern men are really a littl
sore at him for his activity in thi
e regard, but they are afraid of hin
. and have to acknowledge that he
mastering the situation.
r "The president is really what h
has himself described as strenuou
and he talks like a triphammer an
l with the speed of a telegraph key
He has a great regard for Senate
g Paris Gibson, who has an audienc
with him frequently and whose Ell
tree to the president is equaled b,
: few senator's"
Congressman Dixon says that tn
( president stated that he intende'
coming to the Yellowstone park Will
{ the snow is yet on for a hunting triI
: hut he made no mention of proceeding
further west.