The Tomahawk., 1924-04-24

IcCcifc uuucE II. ~. ZotO, ~ Will
readily be observed, that the
Chippewa funds onw in the Treas
ury of the United States will prac
tically be wiped out in the pay
ment of these so-called back an
nuities.
This is a matter Of serious and
grave concern to the Indians. They
are fully 80 per cent opposed to
the legislation in question, Their
views and wishes in the premises
have never been sought or ob-
tanned, and they have been denied
a fair opportunity to voice their
opposition to such legislation.
Aside from the prospects of an
enormous loss to the enrolled Chip
pewas, and a possible future claim
against the United States, we
earnestly insist that Congress is
without authority to enact such
legislation without the consent and
approval Of the Chippewa Indians
Of Minnesota. We base our. cons
tention upon the sacred agreement
entered into with our people in
1889 heretofore referred to. If
you carefully study this agreement
and consult the written pegotia-
tions connected with it, contained
in House Executive Document,
No. 247, 5lst Congress, 1st Ses., it
will be seen that the Trust Fund,
created by section seven 90 of the
Act was designed for certain speci-
fic purposes, namely a principal
fund from which the income or in-
terest should be paid three.fourths
to each Indian in per capito annual
payment, and the remaining one
fourth to be devoted to schools
among the Indians for their bene-
fit. The permanent fund, or prin-
cipal, was to remain intact for a
period nf fifty years, when it was
then authorized to be paid out per
capita to all enrolled Indians and
their issue then in being.
Therefore, here is a trust fund
derived from the sale of the pro-
perty Of the Chippewa Indians
ceded to the United States, by
agreement between the Indians
and the United States that it shall
remain intact for said fifty year
period and then divided per capita
to those then living and their issue
in being. There is nothing in the
said agreement of 1889 which
would imply any authority in
Congress to make any other use of
this trust fund than that which is
specifically provided therein.
There is but one other clause in
regard to the disposition of this
fund, which authorizes Congress
in its discretion, to appropriate
not to exceed FIVE per cent of said
principal fund to promote civiliza.
tion and self support among the
Indians. When this treaty was
made, Mr.. Rice, who was the
Chairman of the commission, and
who was a great friend of the In
dians, and who represented the
government in the making of this
treaty, was asked by the Indians
at their council, what was meant
by this clause. He said in sub
stance, thai that afforded fund in
case of Unforeseen misfortune
such as loss of crops or some
thing of that nature, relief might
be had from said principal fund.
Here is the exact language Ian.
guage of Mr.. Rice as found in the
printed report of the negotiations
blouse Ex. Doc. 247, 51st Cong.
lst Session, page SO, End par.
There is a clause providing that
Congress may, IL its discretion,
from time to time, during said
fifty years, appropriate for the
purpose of promoting civilization
and self support among the In
dams a portion of said princinal