The Tomahawk., 1903-08-13
in timber, prairie, lakes a n d

streams.
Something more than thirty-fve
years ago these townships were set
apart as reservation for the Glib
ways, and they then commenced
to removed to and occupy them.
At that time about th"ee-fourths
were full-blooded lnulans, nearly
all wearing their blankets, the other
one-fourth being mixed-bloods.
Today the conditions are reversed.
and the number now on the rolls,
something oyer 1000; it is estl-
mated that less than one-third are
full.blooded Indians. while the
others are mixed-bloods, Many OF
them showing very little or no
trace of Indian ancestry. But the
government, strange as it may
seem, treat all alike, and in its
eyes every one is full-blood.
Maj. Michelet, the agent at
White Earth, a very capable and
well-informed officer, is OF the
opinion that 900 of those now re-
ceiving annuities and participating
in the disbursement money derived
from the sale of pine timber, are
each worth IS. 900 at least, while
several are worth more than $50
600. TO each OF these Indians
land when / say Indians INCLUDE
mixed-bloods) there has been al-
lotted by the government eighty
acres of land. They may culti-
vate this land, or, with the consent
of the agent, rent it. The idea OF
the government seems to be that
every Indian is, or ought to make
a first-class farmer, and to the one
who realizes how many white men
there are who would not make good
farmers, this position of the law
makers seems somewhat absurd.
Many of them are good farmers,
but as might be expected a great
many are failures. This land can
not be sold nor mortgaged during
the life Of the allottee. After his
decease it may be disposed of UNI
der certain restrictions for
the benefit of bis h 81 rs at
law. The absurdity OF having
such restriction as absolute inahi-
lily to ALLEVIATE land in every case
is demonstrated when / call atten-
ton to the fact that large num-
Der of the allottees are capable
business men and have made Them
selves comfortably off through
personal attention to business mat
ters. It serves to humiliate them,
and instead of serving to make
them independent of the govern
ment care and aid they constantly
feel their dependence. The fact
that they are under guardianship
is daily impressed upon them.
The annuity to each head last year
was a trife over $500 while each
received little oyer $1,000 on
account of sales of timber This
is so small sum that it serves nc
purpose whatever except to furth-
er impress the Indian that he Is
more or less Of dependent. it,
payment is a positive INJURY to a
majority. Maj. Michelet's idea
as to this matter is, l believe, cor
rect. 1t is to have voluntary and
involuntary ACCOMPLISHMENTS by
these people of all tribal relations
or rights. Let the Indian who is
capable Of taking care of himself
apply to be relieved from all con-
nection with the government; have
him relinquish all claims to pay
ment. and have the government
release him from all o b i g a.
ton and all restrictions, put him
on his feet, make him a citizen,
and let him carve out his own des-
tiny. am of the opinion that
nearly very one who Is
able to care for himself wou d
Immediately apply to be re-
A. L. ,o,,1o SnIo.