The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-11-15

The Herald's special yesterday IN re-
gard TO the proposed lease to a syndl-
cate of a large tract of land on the
Uintah reservation is the topic of wide
discussion in official circles. 1t is con-
sidered in but one hght-that the
scheme is outrageous.
Senator Joseph L. Rawlins was asked
for an opinion on the matter, and
made a statement He has given the
subject his closest attention, has fot-
lowed it through congress, and secured
the passage of the act opening the
Uintah reservation, as a rider to the
Indian appropl -ation bill, hence is in
a position to inuelhgently discuss the
matter: He said;
In 1894 cOn,,leSS virtually settled the
policy to be pursued in relation to the
settlement of Indian lands, when 1t dl-
rected negotiations to be opened with
the Indians for the cession to the Unit
ed States Of all lands not needed by
allotment to the Indians.
AT the last session of congress a
provision was inserted in the lndlan
appropriation bill authorizing three
persons to treat with the Indians and
allot lands The policy established by
those statutes is inconsistent with the
leasing proposition, apart from those
statutes, the Indians having only the
right Of occupancy, or the estate Tor
life, as held by the supreme court of
the United States. They have no title
or interest in minerals: they have no
right to open or to work the mines,
or to authorize others to do it, under
lease or otherwise. The same principle
has been applied to timber growing on
the reservation, the court holding that
the Indians had no right to cut Tor
sale
AT the close of the last session OF
congress, when the Indian aDproDrla-
tfon bill was in conference, a very per-
sistent effort was made, especially on
the part of the cOnfereeS OF the house,
Ito procure insertion in the bill Of an
express condition. authorizing the In
Nians TO lease mineral lands with the
= approval of the secretary OF the inter-
ior The conferees at one time agreed
to insert such a provision, and the Dill
was so reported to the senate, but, for
the reason that the report recommended
such a provision, the senate, By large
majority, rejected it The Indian ap-
preparation bill as passed contained nc
such provision.
Notwithstanding lack Of authority
In the Indians or secretary of the in
terror, the eastern syndicate seems tC
be determined to obtain the lease, COW
ering the minerals, and about 600
acres of land. l doubt whether they
are acting on the suggestion of Secre-
tary Bliss. 1 cannot believe that ne
would be a party to a scheme OF this
character 1 wired him Immediately
upon reading this today, urging thai
he do not approve any of these sales
or leases of Indian lands in Utah. OF
at least, that he delay action until
can confer with him upon the subject
personally. It will prove the leases
will be against the public interests, and
contrary to One policy outlined by con-
gress If such d. delay is had, 1 an
satisfied reasons can be presented
which ought to, and believe will, con
vince the secretary that these leases
should not be permitted"
When asked for his ideas on the ap-
portionment of the reservation, the sen
ator reDlied:
''Accc riding to the best information
could obtain, from agents and others
while at the agency of the Uintah In
dams this fail, / am convinced there
are not to exceed $50 Indians, men
women and children, on the Uintah res
ervation, containing about 3,0OO,0O
acres of land Congress ought to Sc
5&side a reasonable portion of the res
1rfation for the Indians, and authorize
lhe sale of the residue, the proceeds Il
be turned into the treasury as theil
fund the expenditures to be for thell
benefit, under the direction of the sec
rotary of the interior Efforts will b.
made in that direction at the comins
session of congress. The Indians vii
thus be cared for better than they ar
now, and the development to that sec
ton of the state. the richest, in m!
opinion, within cur borders, will b.
rendered possible. IN elldeavoring I,
bring this about, obstacles viii, NJ
doubt, be encountered from those band
ed together to subserve private ant
selfish schemes. but we hope to sue
coed"
Senator Rawlins will leave for Wash
ington the last Of the month. He i
now preparing a bill on the above ques
ton, providing that all the land on tn
reservation north of the Duchesne rive
and east of Lake Fork creek be set of
that amount sufficient to allot all tn
Indians on the lands, and that all els
be sold and leas'
UINTAH AND LEASE.