Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1915-12-24
CoNstDERAntE INDIAN
LEGlsiaArtoN ~ AsNEn
Department of Interior Makes Re,.
concentrations In Rcport---Iaws
Nccsice to neft. prtcct
"Restrictcr Indians.


preparation bill. which IL soon 20 80
bcore the indian committee OF the
House and senate. but the disposi-
tion OF the committee members 90 re-
srtict the bill to appropriations "a
nearly ~ possible II manifest. One
Of the recommendation covers the
dealings OF restricted Indians. The
department has pointed out that.
Notwithstanding tho Advancement
made by tho wards. they are yet be-
ing deceived through transactions
that involve. patents. mortgages. con
tracts. convcyances and like terms
OF which they little know the mean
ing OF. and through such Processes
the Indian In relieved OF much Of hle
property. or suffers his land hold
ings TO be come involved.
The department has asked that the
law OF 1910 be amended by making
Il unlawful for any person 90 induce
an indian TO execute a contract. deed.
mortgage. or lease, touching land
held under trust OF other patent cont
tanning reytrictions on alienation. or
&c procur the execution by an Indian
OF such instrument. or to be party
with any Indian In such transaction.
which is not authorized by law. II
would also be provided that an In
dian (restricted) or his heirs could
not dispose of live stock. ~ increas-
es. or personal property ,s5ued by
the United States. or purcb Snad with
trust funds. either by sale or mort
gage. without consent OF the Indian
agent OF superintendent having pur-
isdlction OF such property. The
transactions would be void under the
terms OF the proposed bill. and viola
tlons made misdemeanors. punisha-
bic by a fine of $500, or imprison-
ment for one year
II is believed that the law would
cover contracts which ambitious at
torneys work up for getting Indians
on the tribal roll. which are present
ed 20 each Congress in large numbers
In that portion OF his annual re-
port dealing with the five tribes, Sec
retary Lane of the Interior Depart
ment asks 70 rrepeal Of the law
which permits restricted Indians TO
lease their lands for agricultural pur-
poses without departmental supervis-
ion. also for repeal OF the law which
provides that lands OF restricted In
dians shall become unrestricted Inn
mediately upon death o. the allottee;
and. in lieu thereof. make provision
for sale under departmental super
vision OF inherited restricted lands
by restricted heirs Repeal OF tho
law which permits n restricted In
dian 20 make a valid will OF his re-
stricted property. is also asked.
The department wants a law for
the partition OF estates OF deceased
allottees. obylating the dissipation OF
small intrests OF heirs on account
OF the expense OF guardian sales and
preventing undue control OF the en-.
tire estate by few OF tho heirs or
their grantees. Payment OF equall-
zation OF per capita funds TO heirs Of
deceased allottees should be made,
the department recommends. upon
proofs OF heirship without the er-
pense OF Enthusiastically.
Recommendation for disposition
OF the coal and asphalt deposits OF
the Chocta wand chickasaw Nations,
underlying about 10000 acres. and
for early distribution of tribal mon
eys. is asked. The department also
suggests that survey OF the boun-
dary between the State OF Texas and
the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations
be made as basis for settlement OF
the numerous disputes which contIn-
ue to arise by reason OF the uncer-
tainty as TO the correct boundary.
Secretary Lanes report says:
approximately one-third of the
enrolled Indians OF the five civilized
tribes are restricted. They have been
thus classified according 10 their
quantum OF Indian blood. Many OF
these are able to care for themselves
and do not need the supervision OF
the government. Provision should
be made for the personal determine
tion OF those who need supervision
and assistance. and upon such de
termination those capable OF attend
ing TO their own affairs should be 80
declared. The speedy settlement ol
tribal affairs and distribution Of the
tribal funds TO those qualified by de
termination OF competency and thos'
by law unrestricted should be made
and the funds OF those asadlng fur
tber supervision used for their per
/