The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-03-05
The Indian Policy.
Chicago Times.


The settlement OF the question of the
disposition of the Ute Indians, which has
been agreed upon by the secretary of the
interior and the representatives of the
tribe, is the best that could possibly be
made. 80 far as it relates to the future of
the Indians who were not directly con-
cerued in the massacres. The White
River Utes are to 60 to the Uintah reserva-
ton In Utah; they will soon be merged
among their kindred on that reservation,
which is large enough for all of them.
The White River Utes are the most des-
perate of the tribe, but the character of
the Uintahs themselves is not such that
they are likely to be contaminated by
contact with their kinsmen from Colorado.
The southern Utes. exclusive of the Un-
compaghre group, are to 60 to northwestern
New Mexico, to be located on lands adjoin-
Jog the reservation of the Navajos. This
is an excellent thing for the Utes, what
ever it may be for the Nagsjos. The latter
tribe are an Industrious, pastoral, and
manufacturing people. the product Of whose
rude looms are celebrated throughout the
west. They have -1ade such excellent
progress that the government has lately
enlarged their reservation, giving them
more ground, not to roam over in the
chase, but upon which to Craze their
focks. They are, as result OF this gift,
full of gratitude and friendliness toward
the whites, and their influence upon their
new Ute neighbours will be Of sthe very best.
The southern Utes already possess focks
OF sheep. but they have no conception OF
the virtues of industry which the Navajos
practice. The Uncompaghres. with Chief
Ouray. are TO be given lands in severalty
in the valley of the Grand river, not far
from the Uintah reservation. but in Col
orado.
The Colorado people, it is cheerful to
see, have not been successful in their
avaricious attempt to get the whole of the
Ute reservation. They will get by far the
greater part of it, but will grumble, no
doubt. because Ouray and the peaceable
Uncompaghres are to retain, out of their
immense domain. a few farms in the
Grand Valley. The Coloradains are 8
very self-asserative people; perhaps they
possess trifle too much of the quality
called cheek" AS matters are arranged
by the present settlement. the Ute nation
will be separated and scattered over dis
tant territories. All the old tribal rela-
tons will be broken up. Ouray, whom the
Utes all gespect &c profoundly. and who
has shown himself throughout all the trou-
bless and Negotiations with his tribe TO
be true friend both 10 the whites and
to his own people, losses his tdominion.
The man who was lately the absolute ruler
over county larger than Switzerland, and
over many thousands .peopIe, becomes the
monarch of farm of 100 acres, with only
cattle and sheep for subjects. His sacri
flee should certainly entitle him to a small
piece of tho old domain, but the Colorado
people will complain bitterly because he
is giving it, Ouray and the few Uncom
paghres with him, the Colorado men say. |
will have to move on" again presently, |
and they may as we'll move Oh now. This |
is an argument which gives one an ex-
celIent notion of the modesy of Colorado's /
demands
The surrender of the Ute reservation |
will open up for settlement and develop
ment 5000 square miles of land-a terri
tory larger than either of the states of |
Maryland, Vermont, New Hampshire, or
New Jersey, more than twice as large as
Massachusetts. and nearly four times as
large as Connecticut. The greater part of
it is mountainous, but the valleys are sus-
ceptible of cultivation and the mountains
are known to contain valuable mineral
deposits There may be a dozen Lead
viles of the future in the territory which
the Utes have been induced to cede.
Already railways are being built toward
the Ute reservation. in anticipation of its
opening tc the world. Its additiod to the
area of western land available for settle
ment will be an event OF great importance.