March 22, 1896-The McAlester Capital-The consideration for the bill for the ratification of treaties between the government commissions and various Indian tribes, for relinquishment of their lands, by the House Indian Affairs committee resulted in a determination by the committee of a new policy regarding certain features of such agreements. One of these will be to require settlers on lands purchased or otherwise acquired from Indians, to reside on the land taken from them, for a period of three years instead of fourteen months, as now, with the privilege thereafter of paying a certain amount and obtaining title. This, the committee believes, will not work any injury to honest settlers, but will be for their bester interests. It was also decided to hereafter limit to four percent annually, the interest to be paid by the government on deferred payments for lands secured from Indians. The committee believes this is ample interest especially as it can borrow money at a lesser rate.
