Glacier County chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1931-1940, 1939-11-10

lar letter from Washington re-
garding irrigation charges. par.
ticularly operation and mainten.
ance" charges recently made ap-
plicable to practically every 40l
acre tract optional to the tribe
and proposed to be purchased by
the tribe under their land buying
program.
Severe criticism was made of
the efforts of the Indian Depart
ment to enforce collection of re-
imbursable debts first-the In.
dian land owner or his heirs be.
ing of secondary Importance and
getting what was left after the
government collected its pound
of flesh. Practically every mem.
Der was heard on this subject
and their denunciations of the
actions of Washington IN this all
important subject. 1t was the
contention of the different speak
ers that the government was not
acting in good faith. that the
council had been deceived aud
never a word said that o & M ir-
rigation charges would be collec.
ted-in fact the council we're not
aware that such charges existed.
The minutes of the meeting of
Nov. 3, 1888 were called for and
read to the council. 1t was at this
meeting the land purchase pro-
gram was authorized, but the
minutes failed to show a solitary
word regarding o & M irrigation
charges. AS a result. a resolution
was unanimously adopted protest
ing the action Of Washington in
their effort to collect irrigation
charges of which the tribe as a
whole knows nothing. Also, the
resolution goes on to request that
that the Blackfeet land buying
program be deferred for the time
being as the council cannot see
its way to endorse the mysterious
actions of Washington.
The coming council election was
next up for consideration. In an
effort to more equalize the voting
population of the reservation. the
council unanimously agreed to
enlarge the Seville district by ex.
tending it farther west. Beginn-
ing on the section line just east
of Blackfoot-the west line runs
north to near Cut Bank creek.
thence west to the section line
near the Yegen ranch, thence
north to where the line hits the
new Milk River truck trail, to |
the Canadian line. the truck
trail forming the west line of the |
district. No other changes were
made in the boundaries of any
other district.
Discussing the eligibility of
voters; place of residence, etc.
the council agreed that each quail
flied elector or voter must vote
where she or he actually resides,
this in conformity to state laws.
This is very important step and
all voters should keep this in
mind.
With tales of hunger and hard
times being heard. the council /
lent sympathetic ear to a pro-
posal that fresh beef once more
be furnished the older generation
duBing the coming winter. The
unanimously adopted a
resolution setting aside $4,000 for
the purchase of fresh or live beef
in open market. reservation stock
men to have preference in the
sale of beef.
Irrigation charges again crop. |
ped up for discussion. Eventually
VIM. p. Spanish introduced a
motion instructing the chairman
to write the Montana congress
sional delegation requesting their
support in having water charges
reduced.
The chairman was also instruc-
ted to contact Supt. Graves and
both make an effort to secure q
supply of elk and buffalo meat
from the National Park Service.