Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1885-1890, 1885-10-24
COMMENT.

The coming session of congress is
likely to be an important one. The
Chinese question, as well as that Of
the Indian, is likely to be settled.
The pressure which will be brought
to bear upon that body for definite
settlement Of these questions, will un-
doubted bring about the desired re-
suit We notice in an exchange the
following suggestions, concerning the
Chinese question which are worthy Of
consideration:
When congress meets, the Chinese
question will naturally be sprung
upon it again. There ought to be a
convention held with British Colum-
bia to agree upon terms which will
stop the stealing across the line; the
same may be needed to guard the
country just north Of the Gulf Of Cal
ifornla, while an addition should be
added to the old law, making it I'M
lawful for any ship to bring to any
American port more than twenty-five
Chinese coolies at any time These
precautions would stop the present
troubles and stop the present excile-
ment. At the same time the question
Of immigration should be carefully
weighed in all it's details, with view
to admit no more unworthy Euro
peans to our shores. There are al
ready hands enough to carry on all
the work in sight, and we do not need
any more, a swift coming Of immi-
gratis.
The Rock Springs massacre which
is still fresh in the minds olf readers
is likely to blow over and q tie parltici-
pants in the affair Viii sgsasn ;,IIa
ished: This seems Wrones hen, N.
there are always two sides toaaXeES
story, and it is possible that Welane
not able to judge Alright of the case
at this distance. The grand jury's re-
port on the matter concludes as fol-
lows:
While we find no excuse for the
crime committed, there appears to be
no doubt Of abuses existing that
should have been promptly adjusted
by the railroad company and its Off
GERS. II this had been done, the fair
name of our territory would not have
been stained by the terrible events of
the I'd of September.
The Indian question is one which
at present is receiving the attention it
justly claimed year ago, or at least
since the powerful tribes have been
reduced to but a remnant of their for
mer greatness. The setting aside of
immense tracts of valuable lands,
called reservation, for the sole occu-
pancy Of the different tribe, was, at
the time, probably best, but time has
wrought wonderful changes, and the
so called reservations of today are but
a ''bIock in the pathway of eiviliza
ton If the Indians are to be cloth
ed and fed at the expense of the gov
ernment, let it be done in a manner
which will not interfere with enter
prise and progress. Take from them
these immense reserves, from which
they derive no benefit and give it to
the white man who can appreciate
the gift. Gen. Miles, whose knowl-
edge Of Indian affairs was gained
from practical observation, in his re-
port to the adjntant general handles
this much mooted question in mas
terly manner, and among other good
things, says:
I am convinced that the time has
come for q change, and [ therefore
recommend that congress authorize
the president to appoint commission
of three experienced, competent men.
empowered to treat with the different
tribes; to consider legal or just claims
to titles; to grant to Indian occupants
of the territory sufficient quantity
of land in severalty required for their
wants and support, but not transfera
BILE for twenty years: that their title
to the remainder be so far extinguish-
ed as it may be held in trust or sold
by the government, and a sufficient
amount of the proceeds granted them
to indemnify them for any interest
they may possess in the land; that
enough of said proceeds be provided
to enable the Indians in the territory
to become self-sustaining. The land
not required for settlement to be
thrown open for settlement under the
same laws and rules as have been APP
piled to the public domain.