New-York tribune., 1885-01-24
AIJOTvEyT or INDIAN LANDS

Senate Bill 4S, which on the 18th of last
month was read twice in the House, and re-
ferred to the Committee on Indian Affairs, Is
practical measure, the enactment of which
would go far To settle the vexed question of In
dian land leases, and at the same time would
put in operation a rational and enlightened In
dian policy, by bringing the Indians under the
jurisdiction of the laws of the United States.
This bill was introduced to the Senate by Mr..
Dawes last year, and passed that body, but
thereafter seems to have driftcd into one of
those eddics wherein SO much legislation gets
bccalmed and now it needs some stirring up
perhaps to induce the committee having it in
charge TO report it soon and favorably. Mr..
Dawcs's bill provides for the allotment of the
reservation land, in scvcralty to the Indians at
the ediscretion of the President, whenever in his
"opnion any reservation of such Indians il adj
"vantagcous for agricultural or grazing pur-
"poses, and the progress in civilization OF the
tribe located thereon, or any of the members
thereof, shall be such rs to encourage the be-
lief that an allotment of lands in severalty To
the members of said tribe, or any of them.
would be for the best interests of said In
@dians." The bill further provides that the
land shall be held in trust by the United states,
whether in bulk a. reservations. or in allotments
for twenty-five years. during which time no
alienation of it made without the consent Of
Congress shall be valid. The purpose of this
condition is to guard the property of the In
dians while they are rs yet too inexperienced To
protect it themselves against sharpers There
can be no question of the propriety of such a
precaution.
Provision Is made for the sale of any surplus
lands and the fund accruing from such sales is
TO be held in trust. also at five per cent interest
for twenty-five years, the interest to bc mean
while applied " for the purpose of educating and
preparing them 1.-THE Indians for self-support,
and applied 10 their support and maintenance,
as may be necessary" But the most important
clause OF the bill is that which declares "thatup0n
the completion of said allotments and the pat
"enting of the lands to such allottccs, each and
"cvery membcrof the respective bands or tribes
of Indians to whom allOtmcnts have been made
shall have the benefit of and he subject to the
laws both civil and criminal of the State or
aTerritory in which they may reside: and no
State or Territory shall pass or enforce any law
denying any such Indian within its jurisdiction
athe equal protection of the law This puts the
Indians on an equality with citizens in respect
to the law, though Of course no law ut present
can make citizens of them. That, however will
have to come, and the sooner the better, for il
is the only way by which the abOrigincs can be
saved from extinction and receive tardy justice.
1t is to be hoped that Senate Bill IS will not
be suffered to drop out of sight in committee,
but that it will be reported back to the House
favorably with as little delay as possible, and
passed. And then such action can be taken rs
will make it impossible for land grabbcrs to got
hold of the reservations under the prctence of
securing ranges for cattle at nominal rents.