Daily Kennebec journal., 1921-08-26
MAINE INDIANS LANDS

Agent Justin Cove of the Passama-
quoddy Tribe of Indians clearly eX-
planned the situation in regard to the
lands belonging to those Indians
when he said that lease of land has
evidently been mistaken by them for
sale. The Boston Transcript in an
editorial on the subject says that if
Massachusetts is in any way under
obligations to these Indians in the
land matter, those obligations should
be promptly met. Very true. 1t also
says that the a1samaquoddies ap-
pear fully competent to look after
their own interests, "eyen in connec-
ton with land deal"
Their. ability to look after them
selves in many matters is unques-
toned, but in many other things they
are still simple and chldlike and
easily lead. Az idea may be started
by idle talk or mischief maker, and
the Indian mas fancied wrong. It
is probably SO in this land matter.
Agent Cove who has been in office
for many years, knows the Indians
and their business better than any
other personals statement should
be accepted. The Transcript article
is worth your reading. 1t follows:
Bay State and Passamaquoddies
Is there obligation on the part of
Massachusetts TO protect any of the
land holdings of the Passarhaquoddy
Indians in Maine? Chief William
Neptune. who claims that the Pine
Tree State has been illegally selling
lots from the land of the Passama-
quoddies, finds in the Massachusetts
archives the original deed. given be-
iore the creation Of the State of
Maine transferring the reservation
near EaStport to the Indians to be
ned by them and their heirs forever
is there here a document in the ma
turc of a warranty deed, under which
Massachusetts would be bound NOR
ally If not legally. 10 go to the as
sistance of the Indians were their
property rights invaded? It is an in
teresting question which, possibly,
the sacred cod may yet hear debated
behind the Bulfinch front.
But If Mr.. Justin f Cove. Maine
State agent for the Passamauuoddv
tribe, is right in his understanding of
the situation, there is no reason for
action on the part of Massachusetts
at this time. Mr.. Cove says that no
sales of the Indian lands have been
made during the twenty-nine years
OF MS service as agent. The State
mas, however, leased a portion of a
township Of timber land granted to
the tribe many years ago. Here, the
agent thinks, is perhaps q transac-
tion which Chief Neptune has mis-
taken for a sale. 1t would appear
from the statement of Mr.. Cove that
This tinberland was given the Indi-
ans by the State OF Maine, and. con-
sequently. whether the lease is fair
10 them is not n question that con-
Germs Massachusetts.
Nor does it appear that the Passa-
maquoddles are in danger of falling
into want. The revenues from their
timber lands have been placed in a
fund which, in about thirty years. has
grown from s2S, 900 to $4,000. More
than that, these Maine Indians are
versed in the ways of the white man.
They are wiser than a good many of
the palefaces. They would not be
likely. for example, to undertake to
buy the South Station as visitors
from up State" in New York have
been known to purchase shares in
the Grand Central Terminal. One OF
the Indian women who called at the
State House yesterday wore the
white mans spectacles to correct a
defect of vision. And Chief Neptune
when he thinks that the property
rights of his people are invaded, be-
gins search for title deeds just as
do his white brothers in similar cir
cumstances. Whether the Bay State
is or is not under obligation to see
that the bargain is made with the
Passamaquoddies many moons ago is
not upset contrary to their wishes,
they appear to be reasonably well
able to look out for themselves, even
in connection with a land deal.