The Indianapolis daily herald., 1865-12-16
Report OF the Comm ssioner OF I'm.
dian Affairs.

Judge II. y. Cooley, the Commissioner OF In
dian Affairs, has presented report at once
valuable and interesting. lie gives in detail
an account Of the position of each tribe and
makes suggestions 10 Congress showing the
Necessity for legislation the follow ing topics
Legislation with reference to more strict
control Of traders requiring them 10 conform
10 just schedules Of prices in their sales 10 and
purchases from The Indians, and providing
penalties for cOnni> ance with agents.
In regard 10 prevention of and punishment
for the conniVance Of agents with traders or con-
tractors, or the being concerned i'm m any man.
ner IN the profits Of transactions with other
parties ON behalf Of the Government.
A more stringent law 10 prevent cattle steal
ing in the Indian territory.
Increase OF pay and gradation Of salaries of
agents. superintendents. etc.
Reorganization Of the working force Of this
bureau. and increase OF salary OF the ComnIs-
sioncr.
Protection Of Indian lands from taxation by
State laws.
An appropriation for the collection and pres
ervation Of Information relative 10. and memo
rialS of, the various tribes of Indians
Revision Of the iist If agents, and provision
for new ones. where changes Of boundaries or
new treaty provisions require it.
Action upon the several treaties herein re-
ferred 20.
Provision, for houses for agents At posts
where no dwellings are now furnished for
them
Appropriation for payment to Pottawato-
mics, who have taken steps to become citi-
Gems. ot their pro rata share Of the funds of the
tribe.
Legislation, if necessary, in the interests Of
the orphan children in the various tribes who
receive annuiticS.
Provision for the purchase OF land for res
oryatiOns ia California, and for the eAtinguish-
ment of claims 10 impros emcnts thereon.
The organization Of a territorial government
for the Indian Territory. and settlement OF
friendly Indians therein.
Encouragement OF railroad from some
point on the Missouri river To Galveston,
ICNa-.
To the subject OF traders licenses says
Judge I cooley circumstances have caused me
10 pay special attention, and | have come 10
the conclusion that a radical change in either
principle or practice, perhaps both. i neces-
sary. suppose that | am not making a r.
mark which will startlc the department 10y it,
nov city. when suggest that there l. reason 10
bel eve that'agcnI> are too often in some man
ner interested with or for traders. Certainly
there can be-no doubt that Al such com mbination
I Of interests should exist, it can only exist u
+ the injury Of the Indians. and consequently OF
I the Coy Crnment. Ii l. not uncommon To hear
the apparent rapidly increasing wealth of en-
plOye> Of or officers subordinate 10, this office,
spoken of > a reprOach 10 the service.
have no idea of Undertaking QuiXotic
attempt 10 correct the manners or morals OF
public othccr>; bat in this particular matter
have been led 10 believe that an improN omcnt
can be effected. partly by the adoption and cn-
iorcemcni of new and stringent rules by the
department. and partly by the aid Of Congres-
sional cnactmcnt>. | presume that the pres
ence oi traders upon most of the rr>crN atoms,
under proper guard, and restrictions. /, a
benefit 20 the Indians. enabling them 10 OBJ
tain. IN exchange Tor their furs and other arti-
clc- furnished 10y them. such things they
need for their comfort, and | propose 10 con-
ttnue L. grant licenses 10 traders ~ heretofore.
but. With Your concurrence, to annex such
conditions e. the approx al - will compel them
o. an exchange with the Indian, al fair prices.
- be established FROM time 10 time, according.
i g. circumstances.
Judge cooley SAYS that The population of the
Indian tribes living within the limits OF the
! nItei states i ;,0>.O0J.
The total amount Of Indian trust funds J.
S3.0.6.U92. bearing interest 10 the amount OF
Sl>l.Hts t3 annually. pf the total amount
thus held IN trust, the sum of $4,000 i IN
vested IN Government securities. and s2s6,-
~ L. in LeaVcnworth. Pawnee and Western
Railroad bonds; while the remainder. or 81 :.
S50, ,40O, IL IN bonds and stocks OF states
nearly all II hlch took part in the rebellion,
+ and hava paid no interest since 1850. " ith
the return Of peace we may expect that ar
rangements Will De made at an early day fol
the resumption Il the payment Of interest
upon these bonds and for the arrears Of past
Wears.