The Dawes Act of 1887: Section 3: He Who Makes The Rules Summary

  • Section Two was a real cliffhanger, so this is where that whole "special agent" language gets clarified. Unfortunately, this does not refer to Fox Mulder, which is just disappointing.
  • An agent who's appointed by the President, along with the people in charge who have already been appointed to run the reservations, will pick the allotments of land. That seems fair.
  • These people will operate under the rules and regulations of the Secretary of the Interior, and will be officially certified.
  • These certifications will be made in the name of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and duplicate copies will be in the Indian Office and in the Secretary of the Interior's possession, and then they'll be deposited in the General Land Office.
  • Imagine all this paperwork, and not a computer or copier to be found.