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Show 12 REPORT OF THE O O ~ S B I O N E R OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. time they would become industrious, proiperous members of the com-munity. In the minds of many this is the true solution of this vexed question. Be that as it may, the sooner steps are taken to break up their interests in common and place them upon an individnal basis the sooner will they come to a realizing sense of their own responsibility and prepare to find their proper place in the body politic. LEASING OF ALLOTMENTS. In discussing the ration system in these pages the idea is advanced, or rather the old idea is repeated, that benefits should be bestowed on Indians only in return for labor. At the same time it is admitted that it is difficult, if not impossible, fully to carry out this idea so long as they are berded on reservations and have everything in common. In treating of annuity payments a step further is taken, and it is suggested that this community of interest should be broken up and the Indians brought to understand that upon their individual effort depends their future rise and progress. It now remains to discuss how this may be brought about. It is more difficult to create than to destroy, and it is easier to point out an evil than to afford a remedy; but it is believed that in the allotment system wisely adapted lies the true solution of tbe Indian problem. Tbe idea of breaking up tribal relations and making Indians independent was early entertained, and some of the older treaties con-tain provisions for putting the Indian on land of his own. But like many another thing in Indian treaties it was not always carried out, and it was not until after 1887 that there was any systematic attempt to dlot lauds. In February of that year the act for the allotment of Indian Iand was passed. That act has been discussed so much that it is unnecessary for present purposes to quote it here. It is sufficient to say that it provides for the allotment of lands in severalty to Indians on the various reservations. Since then the work of allotting has gone on steadily until now a, large number of the tribes are allotted-on paper at least. The operations under this act will be found reported from year to year in these Annual Reports, and the details for the current year are referred to hereafter on page 53. The true idea of allotment is to have the Indian select, or to select for him, what may be called his homestead, land upon which by ordi-nary industry he can make a living either by tilling the soil or in pastoml pursuits. The essentials for success are water and fuel, but above all the former, for fuel can if necessary be procured and brought from a distance. To put him upon an allotment without water and tell h i to make his living is mere mockery. His allotment having been selected he should be required to occupy it and work it himself. In thk he mnst have aid and instruction. If be has no capital to begin on, it must be given him; a house mnst be built, a supply of water must be |
