The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-04-11

Mr.. Wilson Argues In Favor OF Permit
ting the Red Men to Sell.

WAsHISGToS CITY. March 29.-rSpecial. I
Hon. John L. Wilson, of the state of
Washington, delivered an able and lengthy
speech when the Indian appropriation
bill was under discussion in the House.
He said:
The Puyaliup reservation was set anart under
the treaty Of December g. 1854. between the
United State, and the Nisqually and other
bands OF Indians, and executive orders OF Janu-
AIRY 70, 1857. and September 6, 1873. II lies in
townships 20 and q north, range. and 4ess. n;
the Willamette meridian, and, as finally e.tah-
ished, Il contained about 1850 acres. The
treaty Of December &c, ls54. contained
a provision that the president MIGHT
cause the whole or any po-+f,n a,
the lands reserved TO be surveyed into lots and
assign the same 10 such individuals o. tsr,.lia.
as would locate on the same as a pe-r,sna,,
home. The reservation was surveyed !ato lots
ana the survey was approved on the 31th Of jan
nary 1874, by the surveyor general of Wsshi.r
ton territory Up TO the Soth Of January. ISss.
no lands Ia the reservation were patented To In
dams in severalty; but on that dgY the D-ssiie1.
signed Is patents 10 individual Indians for
tracts, tue aggregate quantity conveyed by all Of
which was fraction less than l. ,4f3 acres
II VIII be Observed that i'll 1856 patents were
issued TO the Puysllup Indians under authority
OF the sixth article OF the treaty with them. aYd
me Ute was vested IN the patentees, with Ger
tain restrictions upon its sale. which res,ric
t!ous state III which ,hese lands nigh. he A.,
uRied could remove, but no. without the con
sent OF c2asress- These restrictions vera "a
moved March p lsgo, and 1. now re-asins so,
congress 10 give lis consent or modify those 70
s1ricions, as II shall see 1T
certain conditions make these lands os r-.,,
vsi2e. There ere two or more miles fronting nr
the water anu adjoining the limits Of ransr,a
city. That city lies on the southwestern sbr-aa
OF commencement bay, and the reserrstlo, ~
the northeastern shore. The bay in fro,- of =
large poriioa OF the city being from two IN ttzo
anu o-e'hali miles wide furnishes a harbor of
unusual coInmoiirgsness aud SAFETY r.
y" 'hHlahs are me owners In fee simple of this
valuable land. which is OF imraenSe ys,ua % -
growth aud future Of TIE city Of Tacoma To-
great body OF il is absolutely unuse; he 81
ami most OF i is in e state OF nature and &C.,.
vita growth OF timber
That II a Il great drawback 10 the p-ou,h a,
Tacoma 70 have such s large are. OF rroccr,-,St
lana hinterilg is Commercial rnsnr,s.e,,,st,
and social DEVELOPMENT, need. no .--,,-,,.r.
RON ne. Not only is this stats of affsir. sY.
iEeEeIy detrimental 10 the ely OF Tsco,p. ~,
u IS s.so seriously affecting the growth .ni -
pe'i'y o. The entire PGysIlup valley. This ysi
81 ne east OF the reservation, and in product.
.st CNpAeitF IS unexceIled by sny equal area IN
me uiied states These lands are in a larva
measure devoted to the raising o. hons. . vaer
important Industry.
40 allow the Puyallnp Indians 70 sell that,
.aads "oali not Be forcing them 70 sell them
- "ouid only be giving them q right 10 sell
anu faey could BY disposing of portions Of their
Iaaos develop other por.ionx A IL stand. ,ba
lands are act doing themselves or suyba,v csc
Al' s0oS- insy are not able to improve the