Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-24

i years since, and, in many particulars, has be-
come obsolete or inapplicable, especially in our
new and distant territories. The regulations
now existing are based upon laws in force re-
specting Indian affairs, and the President has
authority, under the act of June 80, 1884, pro-
| viding for the organization of the Department
| of Indian Affairs to prescribe such rules as he
may think fit for carrying into effect its provi-
sions.
The appropriations for the current expenses
of our remote Indian service for the present year
| being far short of the sums estimated therefor,
| and entirely inadequate, deficiencies, probably
to full the amount of the reductions made in
the estimates by Congress, will have to be pro-
yided for at the next session Of that body.
The traffic in ardent spirits with the Indians,
to whom it is so demoralizing and ruinous, still
actively and extensively prevails-less, how
ever, within the confines of the Indian country,
it is believed, than along its borders, where
there is no law, and no power on the part Of
the general government to restrain it. This
traffic is here carried on with IMMUNITY by a
set of lawless harpies, as reckless as they are
mercless in pursuit of the ill-gotten gains to be
thereby acquired. Some years since, strong
appeal was made by the head of this depart
ment to the authorities of several Of the frontier
States, for the purpose of endeavoring to pro-
cure such legislation on the part of those States
as would tend to uproot this widespread evil,
but without success. Hence, it still hourishes
in violation Of all law human and divine-the
fruitful source of crime and untold misery, and
the frequent cause of serious brawls and dis
turbances upon the frontiers, as well as within
the Indian country. 1t having been found
that the Indians, on the faith of their annuities
| frequently obtain liquor on credit from the
class Of persons referred to- and that they col
lect these whiskey debts at the annuity pay
ments, to the prejudice of the licensed and
legitimate traders among the Indians, it is in
tended hereafter, as far as possible, to keep
such persons out of the Indian country entirely,
and especially at the time of the payments.
As among the best Of the many recommen-
dations made of late years for the correction Of
evils connected with our Indian system, l would
call attention to that contained in the annual
report of last year, in favor of the substitution
of new treaties for the heterogeneous mass
now existing, and which, in many respects, are
found to be crude inharmonious, and often con-
Trajectory. This measure might be made the
means Of simplifying our relations with the
various tribes with which we have treaty stipu-
| lations; of insuring more judicious and bene-
| fetal application of their lands, and of promot-
| ing economy in the administration of our In
y Z Il +
The preparation of the fourth volume Of the
work on the history, condition, and prospects of
| he Indian tribes of the United States is nearly
completed, and it will be published with as little
| delay as practicable.
The whole amount payable and to be ex-
pended for and on account of the Indian SER
vice, the present fiscal year, is 81 ,0l5,735 so.
| Of which $532, 1907 81 is for money annnities !;
| $l36,676 so for goods and provisions; $751;
| 96l 80 for educational purposes; $94,3l8 so
| for agricultural and mechanical assistance
and $ls9,S7O so for other miscellaneous pur-
| poses for the benefit of the Indians
| In the annual report of last year the fact was
referred to that stipulations in various Indian
treaties requiring large amounts to be invested
in safe and profitable stocks, for the benefit of
| the Indians, have never been carried out; the
| United States having retained the principal
and paid the interest thereon from the treasury
from year to year. The obligation and the advan-
tage to the United States of making these in
vestments, as provided for by the several trea-
ties, were fully set FORTH and appropriations for
that purpose recommended. 1t was also sug-
gested, for reasons cogently stated, as being
advisable to invest in like manner, the consid-
cradle amounts funded, or "held in trust, for
Indians by the United States, and on which an
annual interest is paid from the treasury; as
well as such sums as would produce the
amounts of the permanent annuities and
other permanent annual dues paid to and ex-
pended for various tribes. The several amounts
to be thus invested, should the suggestion be
approved are as follows, viz:
lst. Amount required by treaty
stipulations to be invested in
stocks, but which has not
4 been s2,a96,6oo 90
! I'd. Amount funded or "held in a.s'
trust, and interest paid there
on by the United States 4,344,OO0 90
Sd. Principal at per cent. of
permanent annuities and
other permanent dues paid to
and expended annually for
various tribes 2,s25,ooo 90
9,565,60O 90
| .... ..zss Iss N4.a n
| The ;,J;o;onc ,pyacfpnayf IF thic LARGO c,,,,