The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-05-30
MAINE INDIANS
HAVE NOVEL LAWS
Professor Speck Says Compulsory
Marriage and No Divorce
Is the Rule.

BANGOR, Me-, May .S.-Compul-
sorry marriage and no minority repre-
sentation OF any kind are among the
features discovered among the Penoo-
scot and Passa-Laquoddy Indians, OF
Maine, by Or. Frank G.. Speck, OF the
University OF Pennsylvania Archae-
illogical Museum, who recently re-
turned from an extended visit among
them. DR.. Speck, who has special
lied In chronological subjects Tor many
years has lived among fifteen diner.
ent Indian tribes, in various parts OF
the New World, during the past oe
Cade, I'm order to make dlscIiuiin
ating study OF their politics, religion
manners and customs, The fenoo-
scot tribe is practically an empire
within an empire, he says, for In many
respects IL is complete In itself pollti-
cally. Despite the provisions OF the
United States constitution that CON
gress shall deal with indian tribes
the Penobscots recognize only the
state of Maine. and their relations
with II are most cordial
There are two political parties, the
old. or conservative, and the new, or
radical" said DR.. Speck yesterday,
They split, many years ago, on the
subject OF Roman Catholicism, but
the basis of their differences today Is
wholly economic. The new party Is
against admitting any more Indians,
such as those from Canada. TO tribal
rights. for the state OF Maine treats
/ its wards lavishly and any increase
in numbers would reduce the pro rata
share OF the annuities. The Ola
party, on the other hand, tavors open
ing the tribal books. on the theory
+, that an infusion OF new blood Will
keep alive a race that Is now fast dis
appearing. Cash brides In the cleo
lions are unheard OF. but few Indian
voters are not susceptible TO the po-
tent argument OF quart or two OF
whiskey. There are bosses, strong
minded, aggressive division leaders
among the Indians. just as among the
whites. Indians seem to be particu-
larry accurate in sizing up their pub
lie men and wedding out the weak
and hypocritical.
An Indian In Legislature.
Elections are for a period Of two
years. When the Old Party Is in
power the News are absolutely
frozen out. having not SO much as a
minority magistrate TO console them.
The party In power elects COVER
nor, or Chief, at $500 per year, the
lieutenants. or division captains, and
the tribal policemen. The position
OF representative in the Maine legis-
lature, which carries with IL the mu
nificent salary OF 5000 per year. has
been held. through one administration
after another, by Charles ID. Mitchell,
a highly educated and diplomatic full
blooded Penobscot. Mitchells ca
pacity 10 sit tight. no matter what
faction may control at home, would do
credit to Secretary OF Agriculture
James Wilson, of whom. by the way,
| he is a great admirer.
The representatives in the legisla-
ture can speak only upon matters az
! fecting Indian policy. The elections
are characterized by frenzied speech
making and tent-to-tent canvassing.
On election day. the big feature, while
| the votes are being counted. Is the
tribal dance. The first dance lasts
an hour and a half, and Is executed
| by a famed singer and dancer from q
village forty miles up the river, to
the monotonous droning Of the crowd.
After short interval. the Mu Mae,
another weird dance, is given for an
hour without cessation. American
waltzes and two-steps follow, for