The Tomahawk., 1916-02-24
A MISUNDERSTANDING
SOMEWHERE.

Ihe congressional Record OF
February 4th contains the follow
i ing discussion which took place on
the floor of the House of Repre-
sentatives at Washington, relative
to the Chippewa items on the In
dian bill now pending in Con-
gresS: .....
''The clerk read as follows:
The Secretary of the Interior is
hereby authorized to withdraw
from the Treasury of the United
States, at his discretion, the sum
of $l85, 900, or as much thereof as
may be necessary, of the princi pal
on deposit to the credit of the
Chippewa Indians in the State of
Minnesota, arising under section
Z of the act of January, II, 1889,
entitled An act for the relief and
civilization of the Chippewa In
dams in the State of Minnesota,
and to use the same for the pur
pose of promoting civilization and
self-support among the said In
dams in manner and for purposes
provided for in said act.
Mr.. Miller of Minnesota. Mr..
Chairman / move to strike out the
figures '$185,000' and insert in
lieu thereof the figures 100000.
The Chairman. The Clerk will
report the amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:
. Page "a, line 10, strike out the
figures '$l85,O0 and insert in
lieu thereof 100000
u. Mr. Millerof Minnesota Mr..
Chairman, in support of this offer
ed amendment would like to have
the attention of the committee
while l present certain facts which
/ think are worthy of serious con-
sideration. The Indians in Mime
sofa are paying their own bills.
At no time within a great many
years have any gratuities been ex-
tended by the United States to
Chippewas of Minnesota. The
treaty which was made between
the United States and the Chippe-
wa Bands, assembled into one,
acting as unit, in 1889 provided
that thereafter the property of the
Indians should be placed in the
hands of the United States, part
to be distributed for certain pur-
poses and at a certain time and a
part to be distributed at the dis
erection of the Secretary of the In.
terror from time to time, not ex,
cee3ing certain amount, and the
residue to be distributed among
the people living and members OF
tile tribe at the end of fifty years.
The Justification Of this paragraph
| is found in that part Of the treaty
| which says that Congress can ap'
propriate from time to time sums
of money aot exceeding per cent
of the annual income on the trust
fund held by the United States be.
longing to these Indians, such
sums to be turned over to the Sec
rotary of the Interior, by him tc
be expended for the support anc
civilization of the Indians. Under
that large sums of money have
been spent in the past. 1t seems
ti,at every year there has been ar
increase in the expenses connected
with this administration, notwith
standing the fact that every year
has shown a decrease in the mum
Der of Indians actually to be sup
ervised and large increase in the
number of Indians who have be-
come self supporting and register
ed among the competents. Il
seems easy to add an official, tt
begin an expense. but mighty
difficult ever to stop or to cut Il
off. | was extremely surprised te
find what it is costing to spend The
money of the Indians of Mime
sofa.
For four years | have been try
ing to get a detailed Statement