The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-10
Interior Department Prepares
New Resolutions Regarding
the Sale of Lands.
RED MEN BEING SWINDLED.
Inscriptions Persons Buy AL
lotted Lands From Tribesmen
at Figures Far Below the
Real Value.


ith 81. and Pennsylvania
Washington, July e.-Commissoner Jones
of the Indian Office has formulated a new
set of regulations governing the alienation
and leasing by Indians of lands allotted
them by Congress. It has been claimed
that INSCRIPTIONS persons have grabbed
these lands. principally from the Creek Ma
ton. The new regulations will go into eff
feet as soon as they are approved by Act
Ing Secretary Ryan within a few days.
Acting Secretary Ryan said to-day that,
in his opinion, the changes in the reguln-
tons made by the Commissioner would pre-
clude the possibility OF fraud on a largo
scale, although they might not altogether
protect the Indians from disposlng of their
lands for less than their real value. It IS
ea.d that the regulations will provide for
the certincation Of values by a properly
constituted board, which shall be. as far as
possible. free from all improper influences.
REPORTS OF CORRUPTION.
Reports that there have been charges OF
corruption and COLLISION on the part OF Of
fcials OF the Land Office In the Indian Ter
r!tory are declared at the Interior Depart
rent TO be without foundation. There are
no charges Of such fraud al the department
or anywhere else so far as the department
knows. II they are made. Investigations
into them will be begun at once. There has
been some complaint in regard to the man
ner in which Indians of the Creek Nation
have attempted to sell their land. as It has
been declared that the prices at which they
agreed TO sell in many instances were mere
~ nominal.
These agreements on the part Of the In
dams to sell their land. however, have
been of no effect, as the law authorizing
the sale of the lands provided that no deed
rha silva 49,
approval Of the Secretary OF the Interior.
That applies to any Of the agreements to
sell land, so. thar no Indian has been al
lowed to make a bad bargain. even II, as
1t IS said many of them have been ready
to do. they have been willing to sell their
birthrtsht for tritling sum of money.
LAND SALES
Under regulations that will be promul-
gated IN few days Indians who wish to
sell their landn may petition the Indian
agent. whose duty It will he to cause to
be inserted In newspapers Of the Territory
post notice Of the proposed sale in the
office of the agency. Bids for the purchase
of the lands will be received sealed. Mean
time. the land to be sold will be appraised
and the appraised value will be kept secret
until the sealed bids are opened. II the
bids are as high or higher than the APP
praised value the Indian may sell his land
Ind have the sale. approved by the Secre-
tary of the Interior. If the bids do not
equal the appraised value. then there will
be no sale.
By this method It Is believed there will
be as great protection for the Indian as
It IS possible FOR the Government to give
him. No deed will be valid unless APP
proved by the Secretary. and the attempts
of both white and red men to buy these
lands from the Inlians for a mere song
will be of no avail. OF these deeds that
have been made by Indians and not ap-
proved by the Secretary, probably not more
that half a dozen have been received by the
Commissioner OF Indian Affairs. How many
of the deeds are still in the agency in the
Indian Territory is not known here.
NO FRAUD.
The land belonging to the Creek Nation.
OF which Congress has authorized the sale,
averages about $3.50 acres per Indian. The
Indian may sell all his land except forty
acres. which he must hold as q home
stead.
so far as the act OF the men who have
agreed to buy land from the INDIANS is
concerned. there is nothing for the Gov
eminent TO investigate. While It may be
in effect fraud for white man to agree
to buy land for less than 1t IS worth. such
action cannot be regarded as legal fraud
But In no such case has a sale been con-
suirmated. and no official OF the Govern
ment is charged with a knowledge or COZ
fusion with any such transaction except SO
far as he might gain q knowledge by the
filing OF the deeds in the agency