Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-06-21
covETlNo INDIANS RIGHTS

Those somewhat acquainted with
governmental procedure may find
occasion for surprise that our Indian
wards have received and been as
well protected In their rights. as ap-
pears from the record.
A feature Of this has been the dis
covery of oil on lands previously al
lotted to the Indians. Had the oil
deposits been foreseen doubtless the
allotment would not have been made,
but II was made, oil was dis
covered, and over night the noble red
man began rolling in wealth. or
course he did not know how to
handle It wisely; Of course the covet-
Gus went on his trail; Of course the
Government was slow in protecting
him. but this appears to have been
a. well done as may be expected OF
red-tape methods.
Fortunately for the Indians well
fare and for the country's good
reputation there have been earnest
citizens to insist on fair treatment.
Oil rights are not the only ones
belonging to the Indians. and in
which they should receive protection.
Here n what Indian Truth" has to
Fay about another kind Of rights:
THE water rights Of the Walker
River Indians Of Nevada are seri-
ously threatened by bill Is. 2826)
which passed the Senate May IL,
~ %
Committee on Irrigation and Recla-
nation. Later. the bill was re-
ferred to the House Committee on
Indian Affairs. Ostensibly. it is a
plan for reconnaissance work in
Sohurs Canyon to determine the
smount of water available for irri-
cation, and a feasible reservoir site
on Walker River for the benefit Of
these Indians, and carries an appro-
priation for that expense. That
proposition Is commendable, but the
Joker" is in section which PKG
vides:
"'That upon the passage of this
act all proceedings, legal or other
eminent affecting the water rights
of water users Of said river shall
forthwith be suspended. and II and
when the project be found feasible
shall be dismissed
1.-TWO years or more ago the Gov
eminent instituted suit in the United
States District Court in and for
Nevada, against certain whites to
restrain them from depriving the
Indians Of the Walker River reserva-
ton Of the water to which they are
entitled. This litigation is now
pending, with every precedent Of
law favoring the rights of the In
dams to this water by reason of
the case Of Winters ". U. S. (207
u. s. 564).
Should this bill become a law,
however, the pending litigation
would automatically be suspended.
causing further delay in establish
ing the Indian right to the water in
dispute. Moreover, II a reservoir is
found to be feasible, the litigation
would be dismissed, and the Gov
eminent would be forever barred
from instituting further action In de-
tense Of the water rights of these
Indians. Once dismiss these suits,
1t would make little difference to
these whites whether the reservoir
was constructed or not; they could
continue to appropriate the water of
the Indians, and the Government
would be powerless to prevent them
from so doing.
, 1.-THE Walker River Indians are in
nustrious and self-supporting. At
present they have 1000 acres under
cultivation, and If the pending suit
IS decided in their favor, their acre
age could be doubled. The story of
Naboths vineyard has been re-en-
acted many times in the past. but
we hope in this case it will not be
repeated"