Arizona silver belt., 1898-03-03
THURSDAY. MARCH ,, 1898.
OPEN THE INDIAN RISER
 NATIONS.

The statistics in regard to Indian reservations, compiled from the reports of the Commissioner of Indian affairs, are an interesting study and show that the system is still we'll intrenched, there being reservations in twenty-six states and territories, and that they have not been much reduced through the allotment of lands in severalty to the Indians. The number of acres comprised in Indian reservations ip the United States was in 1890, lU4. .3l4, ,349 and last year was S2, 77O.345.
 Notwithstanding that Governor Me Cord sees no necessity for reducing the size of the reservations in Arizona (see his report to the Secretary of the Inte- rior) it is a fact that the Indiaps in this territory have larger acreage per cap ita set apart for their use than in any other political division of the Union, and another surprising thing is that while in all other states and territories the aggregate area of Indian reserva- tions have been reduced, in Arizopa the reservations have been enlarged and multiplied from 8, ,092, 72O acres in 1880 to l4,09s, ,097 acres in 1897. It is true that the White Mountain or San Carlos reservation has been several times slightly reduced, but if the intention to establish large forest reserve on its eastern boundary is carried out, the Apaohes will have & much larger do. main than at present. The lands re- served for the Indians in Arizona, if divided among them would give to each man, woman and child about 355 acres, which is a ridiculously large allowance and not one-tenth part of it will ever be of any benefit to them.
 It is an injustice to the people of Arizona that these vast tracts, compris- ing valuable mineral, timber and gra- ZiuB Ihnus, sAOuiu pe "itulC!i run settlement, aud ns We think it has been conclusively shown the condition of the Indians will never improve so long us the reservation system is upheld Lands in severalty should be allotted to the Indians and the reservations thrown open to settlement This policy where tried has proved very successful. The agent of the Quapnw Indians speaking of the good results which have followed the allotment of lands ut that agency, says, with the Indians us well as the whites industry and thrift have their foundation in ownership of the land. The patenting of the lands in severslty creates individual interests which are absolutely necessary to teach the bene- fits of labor and induce the following of civilized pursuits. The Indians, be. coming more industrious, take more kiudly to their farm work, take pride in their farm productions, and are vic ing with each other as to who will raise the largest and best crops" Another agent poluts outas one of greatest bene- fits of the allotment of lands, that it re- moves tribal government, with Its at tendant evils, and that it is the tendep- cy of the more intelligent and the edu- cated Indians to form social and matri- monial ties irrespective of tribal dis functions.
 The subject is of very great import ance to Arizona and there should be & strong effort made by the authorities and the press of the territory to induce the department ut Washington to intro- duce the allotment system among the Arizona Indians generally, that lands not actually required for their use may be segregated from the reservations aud thrown open to settlement.