The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1906-02-15
INDIAN NOW A Citizen.
COmEISSIONFR LEUPP'S RECENT
RULING CAUSES BIG STIR IN
JACKSON COUNTY.
GOVERNMENT INCONSISTENT
Not Responsible for Debts, but It Keeps
Millions Belonging to Red Men
of Wisconsin.

! BLACK RIVER FALLS, Wis,
Feb 10.-The recent ruling Of Commits
sioner +. L. Leupp relating to the Win
nebago Indians has made quite a sur
here and makes these Sons of the for'
est" a new factor, especially as the rul-
sng makes them voters with all the
lights and privileges of the white men
Wouldn't Pay Doctors Bill.
The decision that the government has
no control or authority over the Indians
WAS brought out when n physician OF
this CITY sent in a bill TO the government
for services to the Indians during the
SMALLPOX epidemic The commissioner
SAYS: 1T was held that the claim was
not against the United States, hut
against the county, and this office de
clincd to entertain the proposition thaI
The government was responsible LOT the
amount, because the Indians are clu-
gems
Whether or not these Indians will take
advantage of their right Of suffrage mas
not as yet been investigated, nut u they
should decide to "cntcr politics anu
were united they could make it unpieaS-
ant for the town of BrockWay Where
they could easily hold the balance OF
power.
Poser for Commissioner.
One thing that is pulling the people
here is. if the government has no control
over the Indians ana if they are citizens
and subject TO al the local laws, what
right has tie government TO control the
money that belongs to the citizens OF
jackson county, Wis.,
This money was held by the govern
ncut while the Indians We're wards OF
the government and if they are no long.
- Nd gff Z
that the money belongs 10 them ana
should not he controlled by the govern
ment.
Why Does Government Hold Money!
1t is said that the only way home can
be established for the poor and helpless
indians is by appropriating a part OF the
fund of nearly 100000 held by the
government, hut that it would make bad
feeling among the Winnebagoes III Ne
braska and the younger generation OF
the Indians.
1t is argued here that the home for
the helpless could be built at n place
convenient for both the Wisconsin and
Nebraska Indians and for the use of all
NEEDY Winnebago Indians or that the
part OF the money belonging to the In
6iars Of Jackson county, which is about
100000, be used in part for the CON
struction and maintenance Of such a
home.
Has United States State Rights2
Another question that comes up is:
What right has the general government
to come into the state of Wisconsin and
Ienforce a law or edict by the govern
ment and oblige its citizens TO 60 the
school willingly and claim a forfeiture
lof the property of Indians if they refuse
ITO send their children to school? This
has generally been considered a privilege
accorded TO each state and not of the
government.
There may be inquiry made Of the gov
'ernment upon what grounds il holds and
controls property of those whom it re
fuses to be responsible for in any way
and if the government can control the
personal property of Indian citizens why
cannot it do the same by the white 0nest
The matter was never so thoroughly
stirred up here, The Indians may come
into the use Of some of the money which
is rightfully theirs and Of which many
stand IN need.