The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1891-12-17

reservation Monday and when approached
BY q HERALD representative regarding his
attitude 10 the controversy between the
Indians and the N. p, Yakima 4 K. Irri-
cation Co. as to the taking Of water from
the Yakima river for irrigation purposes,
said, in effect, that he had simply stated
the facts to the department at the request
Of the commissioner Of Indian affairs, and
had made no recommendations except in
one particular. He thought that the
matter Of appropriation Of water from
streams that bounded the reservation
would become serious question in time
and one which would effect this entire
country. According to the treaty of 1856,
the Indians were ceded the exclusive
right to the fishing In the reservation
boundary streams, which included the
Ahtanum and the Yakima, but nothing
was said about irrigation, nor was the
subject Of irrigation considered ct that
time. Since then It has grown to be Of
vital Importance, and the water has come
to be considered the life Of the country.
In the opinion Of Mr.. Lynch, the settlers
along the AhtSnum have no rights to the
waters Of that stream, and he says be has
instructions to prosecute all who violate
the treaty obligations; but while the ap-
propriations Of the water for irrigation
purposes have practically left the main
stream Of the Ahtanum dry during the
irrigation season, Mr.. Lynch recognizes
that to enforce the strict letter of the
treaty in this respect would practically
ruin the farmers along the creek, and be
has In consequence taken no action. In
his opinion, the proper solution Of the
question would be the making Of another
treaty and the purchase by the govern
Of the water franchise from the Indians.
As to the waters Of the Yakima, and the
appropriation by the irrigation company,
Mr.. Lynch considers the question still
more serious. He has sent plans Of the
dam and the canal TO the commissioner,
and as he is Of the opinion that the canal
would carry of practically allof the water
in the river, he has recommended that
the company be restricted in this respect.
Aside from this appropriation working
havoc to the Indians fishing privileges;
MI. Lynch is looking into the future and
cannot see Whare the water is to come
from for irTigatiNg the reservation lands
when once the conditions are ripe for
the active cultivation Of the same. This
is matter Mr.. Lynch considers Of grave
import, and while he IL anxious to do
nothing that would initiate against the
interests Of the Yakima country, be feels
that 1t is his duty to do everything posi-
bic to improve the welfare Of his Indian
constituency. In his reply to the com.
missioner regarding trespass on the reser-
yation, Agent Lynch wrote that it would
require q company Of soldiers to keep the
stockmen and their stock outside the res
ervation boundaries and to maintain the
fishing preserveso Of the Ahtanum and the
Yakima exclusively for the Indians.
DoN'r MONKEY WITH THE CoURT.-Car-
roll B. Graves Is q most wise, Just and
merciful judge, but be believes that the
dignity Of the court should be maintained
and that there should be no tinkering
with the wheels Of justice. His views in
this respect were wildly illustrated during
q recent session Of the superior court at
Ellensburgh, much to the sorrow Of one
family. The facts, as The HERALD is ad-
Vised, are as follows: John See married
the daughter Of q man named Harris
against the latter's wishes. After the
marriage the two quarreled continuously,
and finally Harris assaulted See with a
deadly weapon and was arrested. When
the case came up for trial young See was
missing, but put in an appearance day
or two afterwards. He was summoned
before Judge Graves, and in explanation
said that he had started 10 the hills across
the river the night before the date set for
trial to look for stock and losing his sad
die horse had been compelled to camp
out and was unable to get back in time
for the hearing. The judge sent the young
man to Jail pending an investigation,
which developed that he had purDosely
absented himself and had spent the night
ct the Bull ranch. This was more than the
court could brook, 30 be sentenced See to
imprisonment for three months. After
the young man bad been in Jail q few
days he asked permission to make an
other statement. His request being
granted, he stated that he had absented
himself at the request Of his father and
Harris, who had patched up matters, and |
that Harris had agreed to pay all costs
and any penalty that might be inflicted
by the court upon the prisoner. This was
too much for the equitable temper Of
Judge Graves. He ordered the arrest Of
Harris and See, ST., and fined each $50, |
and now information has been filed against
young See for perjury, and there is q
strong probability that he will goover the3
road.
UNTED BY ELEcTRIcITY.-Messr Fred |
Parker and J. H. Thomas have been. can
wasting the project Of an electric road TO
Yakima city and have about concluded |
contract with . Seattle company to iron,
equip and operate the road II the road
bed h graded and tied. This work will
be done and the throwing Of dirt will DO