The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1912-04-27
BILL TO PROTECT
RIGHTS OF INDIANS
Authority, Under Measure, vested in
Secretary Of Interior to Validate
Contracts by Approval.

Washington, April 27.-The follow
ing is the full text of the Owen bill for.
the adjustment of titles attacked in
the 10000 land suits in Oklahoma In
dian reservations. which the senate
committee has reported favorably:
rThat the secretary of the interior
be, and he is hereby. authorized in his
discretion. to validate by approval any
instrument supporting to be deed of
conveyance or contract for title of al
lotted lands of the Five Civilized
Tribes made prior to the removal of
restrictions and before Jan. !, 1912, in
the following cases, to-wit:
'First-When the purchase or con-
tract was made in good faith and no
fraud was practiced, and the Indian al
lottee was actually paid the reasonable
value of the land.
"Second-When the purchase or con-
tract was made in good faith and no
fraud was practiced, but when the con-
sideration paid was not sufficient to
cover the reasonable value of the land
conveyed. Provided, that in this class
of cases the settlement can only be
made upon the condition that the Sec
rotary of the interior be paid for the
benefit of the allottee sum sufficient
to make up the reasonable value of
such lands. Provided, further, that
the settlement in terms Of settlement
as the secretary may deem just, proper
and equitable, and under such rules
and regulations as he may prescribe
and upon such settlement suit, if any,
instituted at the request of the secre-
tary of the interior. shal be dismissed
without cost to the defendant.
Can Permit Sale.
Sec. q That the secretary of the in
terror is hereby authorized to permit
the sale or exchange Of the restricted
land of any Indian of any tribe in Ok
lahoma and invest all or part of the
proceeds of any sale which has been
made or may be made for the benefit
of said Indian and his heirs or legal
representatives, the property SO secur-
ed to be held for the use and benefit
of such Indian, subject to the same
conditions. limitations and restrictions
as imposed by law upon the original
lands sold or exchanged by such In
dian or Indians. Title to the land Sc
cured by purchase or exchange shall
be taken and held in the name of such
Indian. Provided. that the provisions
Of this act shall apply also to the In
gestment of funds Of Indians o. the
class subject to restriction. but who
have not been allotted lands and have
or may hereafter have moneys in the
custody of the United States to their
credit.
Sec. 8. That no lease executed by
a member or members Of the Five
Civilized Tribes covering lands from
which restrictions upon alienation
have not been removed shall be valid
unless approved by the secretary of
the Interior or some officer located in
the state OF Oklahoma designated by
him for that purpose, under such rules
and regulations as the secretary of the
interior may prescribe. Provided,
that in case any allottee of the Five
Civilized Tribes having restricted
lands for any reason fails or refuses
to accept patents the efor or to take
possession thereof the secretary of the
interior or any officer designated by
him is hereby authorized to make,
execute and deliver for and on behalf
of such allottee a lease covering said
land, and the proceeds of such lease
shall be deposited with and held by
such officer as the secretary of the
interior may designate, and shall be
disbursed to said allottee, his heirs
or legal representatives whenever it
shall be shown that he or they should
receive the, same.
Fixes Fines and Penalties.
Sec. 4. That from and after the ap-