The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1920-06-11
Fastening to Acquire Citizenship
a. Soon as Competent,
Says Cato Sells.
GREAT PROGRESS N I YEARS
Not Only Numerically and In Wealth,
but Also IN Education and In.
dus.ry---tndividuai Deposits
chow Big Increase.

Washington Answering n criticism
on the legal status Of the American
indian as contained Ia resolutions re-
Gently adopted by the Women's Civic
CENTER ~ san Diego, Cal, Cato Sells,
commissioner of Indian affairs, In n
lengthy letter sets forth the general
progress of the American Indians I'M
der his administration. Mr.. Sells Is
decidedly opposed 10 the withdrawal
Of federal supervision over all Indians
at this time. The result of such n sten.
he points out would he that a large
snniier "f old or Incompetent Indians
Woulsi soon be feeced Of their prop
erty AMI thrown upon the states as
ranpers and mendicants, aud public
protest agaiils; neglected conditions
wouid surely follow. Confusion ms
20 the legal status of the indian. saws
Air. Sells. RESTS largely with those
who have not studied the subject The
general nllotipent act of 1887. pro,ld-
tug for the allotment OF lands In sey.
crafty. With the amending provisions
OF the isnrke net OF 1905. made the Is
etnnce OF a ee-slniplr patent the prl-
mary legal requirement for citizenship
of Indians. hui also provided for the
citizenship of any ln,linn by his wi.
untary separation from tribal rela.
ftons aud the adoption NJ the habits
Of eivilixe,. life. The later net nf
june -, 1910 also provides for the
Hit"tmenf Of lands To Indians from
Che public domain with the issuance,
0f Zee patent ms provided for In the
rase OF reservation allotmcnts.
Become Citizens.
Under my administration the In.
dinn bureau has madc special effort
To extend citizenship To- the Indians
and prepare them for us duties ana
responsibilities. In the declaration OF
l'"iiss issued April II. ioi7. nm.
= "nncrsi that every tn,lian as soon as
sc,nsd I" be- competent Ia transact his |
own tusiness AFFAIRS would he given
full costroi u his property and have |
ali his innd and moneys turned over
Ia him. after which he would no long.
~r he ward of the government. In
furthetance Of. this movement I In.
Strusist the sup@rln,-n,ienis II III.
various reservations rs fellows: sYm |
are requested To submit to this Office
q list of all Indians OF an..-haif or
sess Indian blood. who are able bodied |
sad mentally competent. twenty .on,
years of age ar over. together with N |
description VI ID. land allotted to said |
Indians. and tn. number Of the allot.
in~n.. u Is Intended Ia isSue patents |
In f-r sinpi. Ia such Indians.
Under this broaden.d policy In.
dinns. both mixed and full bloosls. are
being released fram government sin
tsrrsisi"n as rapidly AS their eon.lition
Warrants Whenever AN Indian il
f's.'nd to be- M Competent as the nv
erag~ white man 10 transact IN. usual
Vacations Of life. h- l. given q ratem
fee. saIl eonfrnl Of his lands and mon
e,s. aud made a citizen of the unlteo |
State, About 2..a.OID allofmants OF |
land have heen made to Indians. and |
during the last tire. years io.ass fee
s!lnpl. patents have been issued. or
J sN. more ihan In the ten years pn.
c,si.ng."
Air. Sells has gone further In this |
'irection and has taken the position |
HAT the citizenship of Indians should /
30, bee based upon their ownership of /
lands. tribal or In s.ysraiiy. IN trus, |
or 10 Tee. but upon the fact that they
ARE real Americans. Favorable report |
mas been made on bin introduced In |
congress having for It's purpose the
comforting of citizenship on all Indians
blu, retaining control OF the estates of
heompetenis.
ssys Restriction 10 wise.
y sm fully convinced az the via.