Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1906-02-14
INDIAN NOW A Citizen,
COMMISSIONERS 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. 1O.-The recent ruling of Commits
sioner T. E. Leupp relating to the Win
nebago Indians has made quite a stir
here and makes these "Sons of the For
est a new factor, especially as the rul-
ing makes them voters with all the
rights 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 a physician of
this city sent in a bill to the government
for services to the Indians during the
smallpox epidemic The commissioner
says: at was held that the claim was
not against the United States, but
against the county, and this office de-
clined to entertain the proposition that
the government was responsible for the
amount, because the Indians are citi-
zens."
Whether or not these Indians will take
advantage of their right of suffrage has
not as yet been investigated, but it they
should decide to center politics" and
were united they could make it unpleas-
ant for the town of Brockway where
they could easily hold the balance of
power.
Poser for Commissioner.
One thing that is puzzling the people
here is, if the government has no control
over the Indians and if they are citizens
and subject to all the local laws. what
right has the government to control the
money that belongs to the citizens of
Jackson county, Wis?
This money was held by the govern
ment while the Indians were wards of
the government and if they are no long
er wards, but citizens, then it is argued
that the money belongs to them and
should not be controlled by the govern
ment.
Why Does Government Hold Money?
1t is said that the only way 4 home can
be established for the poor and helpless
Indians is by appropriating part Of the
fund of nearly $1,OOOOOO held by the
government, but that it would make bad
feeling among the Winnebagoes in Ne
braska and the younger generation of
the Indians.
It is argued here that the home for
the helpless could be built at a place
convenient for both the Wisconsin and
Nebraska Indians and for the use of all
needy WinnebagO Indians OF that the
part of the money belonging to the In
dams Of Jackson county, which is about
100000, be used in part for the con-
struction and maintenance of such q
home.
Has United States State Rights?
Another question that comes up is:
What right has the general government
to come into the state of Wisconsin and
enforce a law or edict by the govern
ment and oblige its citizens to go the
school willingly and claim a forfeit re
OF the property of Indians if they refuse
to send their children to school? This
has generally been considered a privilege
accorded to eacn state and not of the
government.
There may be inquiry made of the gov
eminent upon what grounds it 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 ones?
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.