Puyallup People Wait on Delayed Land Patents

For reasons other than the Indiana treaties, the Indians on the Puyallup Reservation in Pierce County have not been given patents for the lands which were divided among them. There can be no excuse for this delay, which is one dark blot on the otherwise quiet administration of the Interior Department. The Indians are entitled to these lands; more than a year ago, they expressed that their reservation might be divided among them. The request was granted, the formalities were gone through, and the land was divided equitably and satisfactorily. The papers were forwarded to Washington, D.C., and patents were made out. For almost a year, these must have only the signature of the Secretary of the Interior in order to be valid and binding. The signature, however, has not been given, and the Indians are still uncertain whether or not they will be allowed to dwell in the future in the homes which have been theirs for many years. Any attempt to deprive the Indians of this land would be an attempt at robbery—nothing more and nothing less. The Northern Pacific railroad has long had a covetous eye upon it and seems determined to possess it if possible. Thus far, its agents have succeeded in keeping the title to it from passing into the hands of the Indians.