The Glacier reporter. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1953-current, 1955-04-22
Hl i / J; :

49, ~ = " p 8. " - -
April IL, 1925
To the Editor
The Glacier Reporter
Browning, Montana
For a number of years, John
w. Bonner held high office IN
the State of Montana, and enjoy
ed the trust and confidence OF the
people. His history of public
service and his past efforts on
behalf of Indians cannot be lg-
nored or forgotten.
To those who respect his repu-
tation and ability, therefore, the
former Governors unfortunate
comments upon S. 1919 in the col
umns of the April 8 GLACIER
REPORTER come as a sincere
disappointment. The many mac
curacies contained in his recent
letter to the Editor are not eX-
pected from a man of his stature.
Only Mr.. Bonner. of course.
can explain his reasons for CIR
culating such statements in the
press. My purpose in writing IS
merely to correct few of these
regrettable errors so that the
members of the Blackfeet Tribe
will not be confused about what
really is involved in the proposed
mineral rights legislation. For the
record, the facts are as follows:
! (D MIR. Bonner implies that
Senator James E. Murray has en-
dorsed the principles of S. 1918.
The truth is that Senator Murray
introduced the bill "by request, y
which means simply that he was
asked to do so and that he Meth
er supports nor opposes the mea-
sure at this time.
~ Mr.. Bonner claims that |
once intended to favor" the pro-
posed mineral rights legislation
if it did not contain a retroac-
tive clause" This statement is
not accurate. My consistent posi-
ton is set forth in my letter of
November %, 1854, to Robert La
Fromboise, Chairman of the Tri
bal Council, reprinted in the
GLACIER REPORTER in part
as follows:
"At the outset, l wish to
make clear that the question
of whether passage of any
such legislation is either wise
or desirable is a matter of
general policy for the Tribe
itself to decide, and not an
issue for the tribal attorney
to settle; accordingly, I shall
not comment upon whether l
believe the proposal to be
good or bad"
On this subject, as well as all
others, l am guided by the wish
es of the Tribe, without regard
for personal opinions.
~ Mr.. Bonner states that S.
1919 merely returns to the right
full owner what is his" Since the
only "owner" of mineral rights
on the Blackfeet Reservation
from time immemorial has been
the Blackfeet Tribe, this proper
ty cannot possibly be restored"
to anyone. Briefly summarized,
this bill proposes to give" tribal
assets to certain individual al
lottees.
az Mr.. Bonner declares that,
since 1885," approximately $780,
90 of the income from tribal
lands has been received by each
member of the Tribe. Every
Blackfeet Indian knows, on the
other hand that $4,000 for each
member of the Tribe, or a total
of about $3.50, 10000 has been dis,
tributed in per capita payments
since June of 1854 alone.
Mr.. Bonner's reference to me,
as one of the attorneys for the
entire Blackfeet Tribe (and not
the Tribal Council as he allege),
of course, have no bearing upon
the merits of S. 1919. / am sure
the former Governor, upon ma
ture reconsideration, already re-
grets the rashness, bad taste and
inaccuracy of these remarks. Mr..
Bonner knows better than to ex-
pect that the interest of the In
dams will be protected If the pro-
posed. mineral rights Legislation
Is discussed in terms Of personal