, 1889-05-02
INDIAN PRESENTATIONS.

II Ia gratifying to observe that move
ment is being made all along the line to
secure legislation from congress looking
to the opening Of the vast Indian reserva-
tions throughout the west, and 1t is even
more gratifying that eastern people are
beginning 10 perceive that the worst
enemy to Indian civilization and advance.
ment ia the reservation system. 1t is now
realized by those informed on the subject
that the proper way to advance the Indian
in the matter Of industry and intelligence
10 to bring him into closer relations with
white civilization and that this 10 imprac-
ticable "a long a. the reservation plan 10
adhered TO.
1t is said that the leading citizens Of
Yakima are making plans for securing the
opsuing OF the great reservation In that
valley, and that they have met with en-
couragement TO hope that the next con-
gress will act in the matter. The lands Of
the reservation are OF the finest quality and
will attract many Thousands of settlers
whenever opened to occupancy. The re-
sult would doubtless be to increase the pop
ulation Of North Yakima TO the extent Of
10000 in a week should an order 90 forth
like that opening the Oklahoma country.
And should similar order 70 forth with
reference to the Colville reservation lying
north Of Spokane Falls, the effect would
be very Grstjfying TO this city. The Col
vile reservation is not ~ valuable Tor az
ricultursl purposes - the Yakima reseva-
tion, but II is known 10 be rich In miner
ais, and much Of 1t good for farming,
while vast amount IL 6rst.clsss grazing
land.
II 10 not desired that the Indians should
be deprived Of lands sufficient for their
own use and comfort. On the contrary
the modern idea 10 to confer upon each In
dian IN absolute individual title to tract
OF land for home and q farm before the
remainder Of the reservation 10 disposed
Of. It is also proposed that NO lands shall
be disposed Of in the reservations except
ing to actual settlers and that each settler
shall be required to pay within
term Of years, fxed price for
the land settled upon and that the
money thus acquired by the government
shall be paid to the Indians to enable them
to build homes and supply themselves with
necessities for farming. This plan would
make each Indian belonging on the reser-
vations financially independent for life
and would bring him in active co.opers-
tion with civilization and industry. There
10 NO doubt but this is the very best thing
that could be done for the Indians
while it would at the same
time be of great advantage
to the white public. 1t would afford good
homes to thousands Of worthy farmers
and would add vastly to the wealth Of the
country at large. This is movement
that is scarcely less important to Spokane
Falls than II ia to North Yakima. We
have the Spokane and Colville reservations
in this territory and the Ceur d'Alene
reservation In Idaho and all of these would
be directly tributary to this city II the
lands we're opened to settlers. The con-
Rressnen elected to represent the new
state should be requested and pledged to
make this matter the drst to receive their
persistent efforts at Washington and there
should be no cessation of such efforts un-
til all of the reservations of the territory
shall have been opened and made Of some
use to mankind