The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-02-27
siMPLlFIEs FUTURE ACTION.

BY its decision rendered in the case
Of Lone Wolf and other Indians
against the secretary of the interior
the supreme court of the United
States places a different construction
upOn the status of the Indian as a
ward of the government than has been
heretofore accepted by the federal a IL
thorities in treating with him. In eff
feet the court holds that it is not nee
essary for the government to obtain
the consent of the Indian whenever
it is deemed advisable to dispose of
any portion of a reservation that may
have been set aside for his use and oc-
cupation, and this, too, in disregard
of any treaty stipulations that may ex-
list to the contrary. Broadly put, the
court affirms the right of the govern
the Indians property as it may regard
proper and best for his interest, real
ownership of that property being vest
ed in the government, he having only
the use and benefit of it as any ward
incompetent to deal for himself. AS
interpreted by the court seemingly
the only requirements from the gov
eminent are that it shall be guided
by a spirit of fairness and honesty in
dealing with the Indian so far as sale
and disposal of his lands are concern.
ed. Whether the Indian will quietly
acquiesce and permit the government
to proceed along the new lines which
the court of last resort holds it has the
right to pursue and yield what he on
siders his prerogative time only can
tell.
Those who entertain but little of
what is sentimental when it comes to
the matter of dealing with the Indian
will undoubtedly receive this new in
depreciation with pleasure, as it sim
plifies matters a great deal in all fu-
ture transactions in regard to opening
Indian lands for settlement, the only
consideration apparently devolving up
on the government being such as is
dictated by a desire to do that which
is right for the benefit of those who
are held to be incompetent to act for
themselves. The power to obstruct
negotiations and make possible re-
tardation of cession and settlement OF
lands no longer necessary for the In
ls1rs- 1~r,fNy+ and 1,co hoe boon q k.
en- from him and h%enceforth there
need be less waste of time and tedious
treating with the redman whenever
it is deemed proper to restore to the
public domain such of his lands as
he no longer needs for his mainten-
ance.
Important in many respects as the
decision is, it will probably have no
bearing on the question OF opening a
part of the Grow reservation, a mat
ter in which the people OF this state
are much interested, and particularly
those of eastern Montana. Those In
dams have long ago signiied their
WlllllSItSS W uloPOoC -
of their lands to the government and
o treaty to that effect has been made
with them. Only congress has retus'
ed to ratify that treaty by voting the
money needed or the purchase of the
land at the price agreed upon In Inc
treaty. That congress will now vote
to dispossess the Grows of their lands
without some measure OF compensa-
ton is hardly possible, for such a pro-
ceedjng would be so manifestly unfair
and dishonest hat no man with any
regard for right and justice would
willingly become a party to it, above
all no man regarded good enough TO
be a congressman.