OCR Text |
Show - l t t - Tho oase, as we view it, turns on the agreomont of May, 1888, resulting in the croation of Fort Bolknap Reservation. In tho oonetruotion of thin agreement there aro oortain elements to bo considered that aro prominent and significant, Tho reservation was a part of a vory much larger tract which the Indiana had the right to oocupy and uso and which was adoquate for the habits and wants of a nomadio and uncivilized pooplo. It was tho policy of tho Government, it was the dosiro of the Indians, to change these habits and bocome a pastoral and civilized people. If they should become such tho original tract was too oxtensivc, but & smaller tract v.ould be inadequate without a chango |f conditions. The lands, were arid and, without irrigation, were practically va'luoless. And yot, it is contended, the means of irrigation wore deliberately given up; by trie Indians and deliberately accepted by the Government. Tho lands ceded woro, it is true, also arid; and some argument may bo urged, and is urged, that with thoir cos.,ion there was tho cession of the wators , without which they would bo valuo-less, and "civilized cor^-unitics could not bo established thereon." And this, it is further contendod, tho Indians knew, and yet made no reservation of the wators. wo realize that there is a conflict of implications, but that which makos for the retontion of the waters is of groator forco than that v.hich maker for their cession. Tho Indians had command of tho lands and tho waters-command of all their benoficial use, r.hether kopt for hunting, "and grazing roving hords of stock," or turned to agrlculturo and the arts of civilization. Bid thoy give up O |