The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1911-07-27
RELIEF FOR S. D..
SETTLERS ASKED
APPEAL is MADE TO GOVERN.
MENT TO HELP PEOPLE
WEST OF RIVER
GOVERNMENT MAY NOT EXTEND HELP
Considerable Interest Manifested in
Probable Candidacy Of Congress.
mar Burke for Senator

A dispatch to the Register from
Washington says that persistent ap-
peals and demands continue to reach
the South Dakota Congressman and
Senators asking for legislation that
will afford relief to the settlers on
Indian lands in South Dakota. The
nature of most of these demands Is
that lands formerly purchased
through the government from the In
dians be converted into free homes.
Way back in 1900 an act of Congress
relieved the settlers who had gone
on Indian lands from payment. The
legislation at that time cost the gov
eminent many millions Of dollars. At
that time Congress ~providedfor pay
ment by the settlers to the Indians
with the government as trustee. The
amounts as collected by the govern
ment have been passed to the credit
of the Indian wards. The agitation
for conservation and protection OF
Indian rights brought about a condi-
ton in the Public Land Service where
by the appraisal Of Indian allotment
lands Of South Dakota were raised to
as high as six dollars an acre. After
the initial payment at the time of
entry, amounting to one-ffth Of the
purchase price, the subsequent pay
ments have fallen hard upon the
white settlers, and in view of the
drouths, attempts have been made to
influence Congress to rebate the
amount due from the whites to the
Indians. The impossibility of this
Is shown in the legislation passed in
1900, whereby the actual ownership
Of the land should remain with the
Indians and the government stood
sponsor only as trustee. Therefore,
the government Is found to have no
real title, claim or equity in these
lands, except in its responsibility to
protect the original Indian owners,
and therefore, any act of Congress af.
fecting the lands would have to be in
the nature OF an appropriation made
for the direct purpose Of acquiring
title from the Indians before relief
could be afforded to the white settlers.
There Is no doubt but what the Rep
resentatives Of South Dakota have
been very much embarrassed over this
matter, because Notwithstanding their
anxiety to do something for the re-
lief Of the settlers, the absolute i'm
possibility Of favorable action Is pre-
cluded by the change in the manne
Of handling these lands as laid down
by the law of May II, 19OO-the ex-
press purpose OF that legislation be-
ing to forestall any such action as Is
now asked for.
Considerable interest has been man.
Tested in the Capital in the news
paper comments coming from South
Dakota to the effect that Congress
man Burke may be a candidate for
the United States Senate to succeed
Mr.. Gamble. The Congressman de-
clines absolutely to be interviewed
concerning the matter. The politics
Of the situation are rather clear. Mr..
Burke is recognized as a regular Re
publican while Mr.. Gamble has aligned
himself at times, with both factions,
and in case the two men become RI
walls for the place, the position of
the present Senator would doubtless
be insecure, in view of the fact that
regular " Republicans would likely
incline toward Mr.. Burke. The mann
Of Mr.. Martin has also been brought
into the Senatorial matter.
Senators are awakened to the fact
that proceedings of that body are not
making any great hit with the peo-
pie. A member has declared that
from reading the Record one might
suppose that it was a report Of a lot
of men gathered or street corners
discussing the news of the day. Sen
ator Bacon has proposed a new rule
which Is designed to restore "Con-
g%ressional debate" to its former de-
corum. Senator Root a y that the
present method Of indiscriminating de-
bate is obstructive of deliberate con.
sideration Of legislation" and Senator
!, Lodge likewise declared that the Sen
ate must reform its methods or be.
come the laughing stock Of delibera
tive assemblies.