, 1889-10-10
TILE NEED OF WASHINGTON.

Nt'li iANH'f'l VI 'puEAfSot " lllil wv lllNNl-
esting to call to mind few of the most
pressing needs of the new state. 1t
would perhaps be unreasonable to ex-
poet that all the things desired can be Sc
cured without some delay, but it ~ nee
essary that concentrated effort should be
made by our representatives and that
they should be backed up in such efforts
by tho people of the state.
Perhaps the matter of paramount i'm.
portancc Is the opening of the Indian
reservations to settlement and occupan-
cy by industrious white people The
modern idea of giving to Indians land
in sevcralty, as distinguished from
the idea of preserving the tribal re-
lations by tribal ownership of lands Is
the proper one. Each Indian, as an ir-
responsible human creature should be
provided with home and sufficient
land for the use and comfort of himself
and offspring, and when this just pro
vision for the Indian has been made, all
remaining lands should become avail
| able for white homo-buildcrs, We have
in the state of Washington many mill
ion ucres OF valuable lands that are tied
up in reservations for the supposed ben
eft of Indians, and yet the Indians
themselves would he greatly benefited
by having this system changed and by
being brought into closer relations with
white civilization. The Colvllc
and Spokane reservations, lying north
of this city, embrace farm and
mineral land sufficient to make Spokane
Falls great city, even though 1t had no
other tributary resources, The same
may be said OF the Yakima reservation
/ with reference To- North Yakima. There
we have II level valley, embracing the
very best Of farm lands and in quantity
measuring some twenty by sixty miles
/ land capable of the greatest variety OF
productions. The opening of that ros-
crvation would, within year, add many
millions to tho wealth oi the state, and
would greatly benefit the Indians, who
are themselves not sufficiently uumer-
Gus, even ii they had the desire to i'm
prove and derive the full benefit there
from.
Another matter OF Importance to the
state in connection with the lands is the
irrigation OF arid tracts hy artificial
means. Alter obtaining u careful survey
by competent engineers employed by the
government, it will doubtless be found
practicable to accomplish great results in
the reclamation of desert lands in some
parts of this state by conducting water
in large volume and for great distances,
and spreading it out over the thirsty
plains,
The forfeiture of all lands not yet
earned by the Northern Pacific Railroad
Company ought also TO claim the early
attention OF our congressman. This
would include all that land lying be-.
tween Wallula and Portland, as the
Northern Pacific has never built, and
does not contemplate building any line
over that route.
The vexcd lien land question should
be brought TO speedy adjustment in
one way or another, as thousands
of settlers upon these lands
have been held in suspense for many
| years and arc tnus retarded in making
their improvements and developing their
farms. If these lien lands are to be
awarded TO the railroad company, the
sooner this is announced the better Il
will be for all concerned. If ON the
other hand they arc decided to be gov
crnment lands, subject to the claims of
settlers, this conclusion should be
reached spaadily, in order that the
company may test its rights in the
courts, as it would perhaps do, and
thus settle the matter forever
Liberal appropriations should be IN
sisted upon,for the improvement OF the
Columbia river from Kettle Falls to the
mouth of the river at Astoria. The gov
eminent has long since gathered the
data upon this subject SO as to enable
congress to act intclligently and it Is to
the interest of this state that the river
should be made navgable as carly as
| possible. In this same line there is
need for Improvement in some of the
other waters of the state and especially
at Gray's Harbor, The improvement of
rivers and harbors has been neglected in
the territory and now that it is a state
this neglect should he rcmedcd.
The government Is in need of an i'm
proved navy, and the vessels should be
built--at least some of thcm-at the navy
yard ON Puget Sound. The timber and
other materials may be had there and
the distribution of the money that is to
be used in the construction of such YES
sells would greatly improve our trade.
The postal facilities throughout the
state should be improved by the extcn-
sion OF new lines and the establishment
of new Offices and the employment of
sufficient clerks to properly transact the
business of tie larger offices and on the
railway mail routes. This is a crying
need and the congressional delegation
from Washington will DO well to make
u united effort on this point.
The surveys should be extended over
the public lands so that settlers may
acquire titles to their homes and to the
end that the government may properly
protect the timber from depredations
These lands must be surveyed some time
and why not now? The government is
not lacking in necessary funds and the
work may be performed as cheaply at
this time rs ut any time in the future.
Then why delay?
publip buildinos should ho oro,,ol ot