East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-07-14
INDIAN LANDS ARE BECOMING TAXABLE

Due to the policy of the government
to encourage the passing of fee
simple title OF Indian lands on the
Neg Perce reservation to competent
heirs or by sale of inherited lands. it
is estimated that within a compara-
lively short time one-half of the res
ervaton section Of Neg Perce county
will be subject to taxation, says the
Lewiston Tribune.
The act OF May 29, 1908, authoriz-
ing the secretary of the interior to
issue patents in fee simple to pur-
chasers Of Indian lands under exist
ing laws, is designed to give a more
perfect title to purchasers of these
lands. Heretofore Indians have been
signing deeds before Indian agents
ard superintendents in charge Of
agencies, and these deeds were ap-
proved by the secretary of the inter-
ior. The new law has the effect of
giving a patent in fee to the pur-
chaser direct from the government.
On the Nez Perce reservation about
500 of the original allottees have died
since allotments were made. To many
Of these allotments there are numer-
Gus heirs, and as time passes these
heirs in crease by births, thus greatly
complicating the matter of making
correct distribution of these estates.
This law provides in such cases that
the secretary of interior shall cause
patents in fee simple to be issued in
the names of the heirs when he is
satisfied OF their ability to manage
their own affairs. Where the heirs
are not deemed capable Of managing
their own affairs the land may be sold
under the regulations providing for
the sale Of inherited Indian lands, the
proceeds Of such sales to be used,
during the trust period. for the benefit
of the heirs under the supervision of
the commissioner Of Indian affairs.
Two Classes to Be Sold.
There are two classes of Indian
lands which may be sold on petition
Of the heirs or alottees. They are in
herited Indian lands, as where the
original dies leaving heirs, and nom
competent Indian lands, being the al
lotments of old Indians who for spec
ial reasons it may be deemed advis-
able to sell their lands and use the
proceeds for their support and for
medical attendance, etc It often hap
pens that old Indians are neglected
by their relatives and linger out their
last days in want and without proper
care, then when they die their rela-
tives who neglected to care for them
come in and inherit their lands. The
object Of the nOn-competent act is to
relieve this condition among the In
tians on the reservations through
out the western country. The Nez
Perce Indians have very fertile and
productive lands and under this law
there is no reason why any old Indian
should suffer or become a public
charge and burden to the commu-
nifty.
When a patent in fee simple is is
sued to all the lands affected by this
act more than one-half Of the Nez
Perce Indian reservation will be COW
cred by patents in fee simple and will
be subject to taxation, thus greatly re-
ducing the extra burden now imposed
upon the white settlers in this coun-
ty by reason Of such a large portion
OF the most valuable lands covered by
Indian allotments and under restric-
tions which exempt them from taxa
ton. l
There is now much interest display {
I'd among residents Of the county rel !
auye to the subject Of the passing Of 7
he Indian lands to patent The act Of
May 29, last, is therefore given below I
as follows, a copy OF It having Just s
been received by Indian Agent LIpps: 1