The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-11-23
INDIANS As LASDHOLDERS.
Progress and Possibilities or the Severalty
Allotment SYptom.


WASHINGTON, Nov. 2a.-The cd for
statement from Indian Territory that the Ave
civilized tribes arc now willing to accept sever
atty allotment on the payment to them Of
sums aggregating $40. 900, 900 brings up anew
this important matter.
The sum Is prodiGious. but II tho alleged
proposition should give to the United States all
land In the Territory remaining after the allot-
ments. there would be that amount of set-oh, as
at least the valuable part of 1t might be sold.
Besides, the amount TO DO paid Is often quito O
different matter from an amount demanded at
the outset. The Indians of the so-called five
civilized tribes have acquired that feature OF
civilization which drives = sharp bargain. and
which sets a price far enough ahead TO allow
q compromise to be quite remunerative enough.
The striking point Is that any proposition at
all Is made for severalty since
hitherto the attitude OF the 1--WE civilized tribes
has been uniformly, uncompromisingly. and
almost violently against 1t. The reason for this
past course is undoubtedly to be found, in largo
part, in the interest which leading men of tho
Indian tribes have in Leasing for themselves the
lands held In common, for grazing or aRricul-
tural purposes. at low rents. In addition comes
the thought that severalty allotment means the
disintegration of the tribal system OF govern
ment, and accordingly those who now profit by
that system oppose any change.
No doubt, also, among many of the Indians
there Is q feeling that the allotment system will
render isolation more difficult and bring the
Indians into n more direct competition with
white men. Besides, the system of leasing
lands held in common at least insures q pro-
vision for education without taxes for It. 1t
supplies the school fund, and this is one of the
principal grounds on which the present system
is defended.
But Mr.. Dawes. who 10 at the head of tho
Commission that has been long at work. under
the authority OF Congress, among the Ave civil
lied tribes, had charge OF the Severalty Allot-
ment law in the Senate when it was enacted,
and IL sometimes spoken OF as the father of the
system. 1t is true THAI the law itself spccihcal-
- cxempts tho five tribes from it's operations;
but MIR. n yes has not ceased his efforts to
bring about AN acceptance OF II among these
tribes.
AS to the progress of allotment work among
the year which Commissioner Browning reports
p Hronn There were delivered l59 patents to
1897 TO Nez PercSs in Idaho, II to Cheyrnnes
and Ar"gaho's and M,r %a3 TO Poncas IN OKLA
10 Round, Valley Indians in California. In
during that year soto Chippewas of Wisconsin
and MO to sioux Of south Dakota. Patents
Colorado. a6O Warm Spring Indians in oregon.
$40 licarilla Apaches in New Mexico. and 40
S SHIaTa%s in we're !adi aiso I prrss . S sShs so' s.,s Of
upon. for $50. Sioux in south Dakota, 1856
Snkimn~ in Washington, 800 Hoopa Valley In
dams in California. and GO ella bend indians
in Arizona. These figures viii give an idea OF
the scale on which allotment measures are car
rltd ont.
The FOREGOING figures relate to reservation In
dian, only. ann 10 them might he added 100
a!lntments prepared on the Shoslons reserva-
ton, which, however. will more properly fall
under the current years record OF accomplished
work. lnt there are allotments also for non
rr-crval!on indiana. Thus. in the neighbor-
hood Of Susanville IN California, about 800 In
dams. have applied for severaIty holdinxs
whlle an agent mas been sent TO the Duluth
ANA dist rict 10 investigate about $50 applica-
tipI., said to have been made there. Several
hundred other similar Instances are noted.
The movement of Indians to get homesteads
and Of others to induce them TO take SUCH allOt-
n"nth must be set down among the most note
worthy OF reCehl developments regarding the red
race. It's little singular that the Ave tribes most
at,rd Tor severalty landholding are the latest to
come ipit; Lut tins arises, no doubt. out of their
eAenI ptiHh from the provisions of The law. and
out OF the other causes already noted.