The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-01-26
THE INDIAN RESERVATIONS.
An Interesting Talk With Attorney
Matthews, of Washington.

An Interesting Talk With Attorney
Matthews, of Washington.
W. R. Matthews. of washington, WHO
IS stoppln- at the k1lutsfo;d. is much
pleased with Salt Lake.
MIR. Matthews was for nine years
connected with the general land office
in Washington, five in the mineral di-
vision, afterwards for six years as
head of the presumption division. He is
the author of several standard works
on the land laws. In speaking of the
general land office, he gave it as his
opinion that Commissioner Lamoreaux,
the present Northumberland by far the
best commissioner that the office has
had in the last twelve yearS-that
Lamoreaux is a fine lawyer, a man Of
splendid executive ability, and one who
does not shirk responsibility, his aInbi-
ton being to bring up the work of the
office to date He has lived in the west
all his life and greatly understands the
needs of the western people-tfle set
tiers. In speaking OF the secretary OF
the interior, ne gave it as his opinion
that Holle Smith, the secretary, is a
man of strict integrity, a lawyer of
! ability and one anxious to do the best
for the whole people; but Mr. Mat
theWs stated that ne did not approve
of all Of Mr.. Smiths ideas IN re-ation
/ to the disposition of our public lands;
| that in reference to mineral lands in
particular Mr.. Smith was al wrong in
his IDEA that the mineral lands should
! either be sold at PUBIC auction or else
worked by the government. This was
| Mr. Smiths idea in reference to the
asphaltum lands in the Uncompahgre
Indian Reservation. Mr.. Matthews was
surprised when he was informed that
the commissioners appointsd by Mfr.
Smith. under the act of Congress ap-
proved August 10, 1894, had SO far
made no report; ne was aware Of the
fact that Mr.. Smith was to blame for
the delay in appointing the commits
sion, and also for appointing the com
mission outside Of Utah-nen unac-
uuainted with the country-When he
might have appointed citizens of Utah,
men thoroughly familiar with every
inch of ground and who could have
made the report required by the
act of Congress Within week
after their appointment. Under the
act. the commission was directed as
soon as possible after their appoint
1neIlL u IGpOII W Vic SSS- ~SSAAJ -
interior such lands as were not avail
able, and which could not be used for
allotment purposes, and the lands Sc
reported should then, by proclamation
be declared open to settlement under
existing laws. Mr. Matthews further
stated that to his knowledge, the char
acter of the Uncompahgre reservanor
: is freely known to the Indian once
) and to the department, as several re-
ports from reliable sources nave al
.. ready been made-further that II was
expected by Congress that there Wo your
Ibe no delay in the matter and Una
the mineral lands especially, Woule
speedily be thrown open to the people
It is further the opinion OF MI Mat
thews that the secretary made grea
mistake in appointing old men on INT
commission. When stated to MT. Mat
. thews that it was reported that tn'
secretary contemplated further Ieg1s
. iation. looking to the Withdrawal o
the mineral lands, he replied thai IN
knew the views of a majority OF tn
: committees on Indian affairs OF bou
I houses of Congress. and that in thi
4 Mr.. Smith could not succeed, Tor tn
j reason that any radical change in tn
mining laws of the United States, nov
! thoroughly understood by the western
people, would Justly bring down upol