The Portland daily press., 1871-12-06
Report of the Secretary of the Interior

The humane policy inaugurated by the Gov
eminent in the condition Of Indian affairs for
tEe past two years has been productive of graf
flying results The Board of Commissioners.
composed of citizens distinguished for philan
thropy, and serving without pay, has assisted
IN removing from the Indian service much that
has been heretofore regarded as the source of
evil and injustice. The Indian tribes during
the past year, have raised about ten millions Of
dollars of agricultural products There are 216
schools among the tribes, with an average at
tendance OF 1920 pupils. Outrages which have
occurred by nomadic tribes in Arizona New
Mexico and Western Texas where the peace
policy has not fully penetrated, have been
promptly punished by the military authorities.
Agriculture and education must be encouraged
among the tribes, as conducive to more com
plete civilization. The Indian population now
unaer Inc jurisdiction of the United States is
about 81 900, excluding 10000 in Alaska and
a lew thousand scattered through different
States, who maintain no tribal relation:
thus remain "a, 81, located in nineteen States
and territories. If this entire Indian popula-
ton could be gathered into Indian Territory
there would be for them $50 acres of land per
capita, an ample area. Such disposition of
them would release from Indian occupancy 3d.
692I ol acres OF land, and throw it open to white
settlement and civilization. Such facts make it
OF the utmost Importance that the Indian Ter
ntory be organized under territorial govern
ment, with such regulations as shall secure the
rights of the Indians in the soil and protect
them until they attain such progress as to pro-
tect themselves
VI the public lands, there were disposed of
9Saarflhg 60 the year 6O6, 79203 acres of which
COO dd'S 800 were by approvals to railroads
1873 o'o-o;Io by homestead entries under act of
aooi, ana amendments, and 1889, 9S2. 81 for
S,1rua,,od ni = aggregate of public lands, so far
~ ooo 9069 acres, and there is an
~ M area YET to be surveyed equal to 2S4
l 9,3ol acres. Additional legislation is called
tor under tne presumption and homestead Iaws
In the Patent-Offce there have been filed dnr.
ing the year 19, 429 applications for natants
1887 caveats, and ISL applications for extension
There are at the present time on the pension
rolls the names of 634 widows of soldiers in the
War, decrease of 90 since the |
last report; there are the names of 1914 widows |
and children of soldiers who served in wars SUBJ
'equent to the Revolution, and prior to that of |
5he Rebellion, decrease of " from the preced |
ng year. During the last fiscal year there were |
allowed 1907 original applications for invalid |
PENSIONS OF soldiers, and 1879 applications for /
increased pension of invalid soldiers. During /
he same time there were allowed $3.50 original |
PENSIONS to widows, orphans and dependent
elatves of soldiers, and 1916 applications for
Increase OF pensions of this class were admit
CO. @ III, Ihe whole amount paid during the year
~ Invalid a,5 military pensioners was $12 3O4 500
relatiuos. 20 90 widows or orphans and dependent
have hee% ,4O9. 76; 727 claims for pensions
yraptin0 nans lae under the act of Feb IA, 1871.
$50 and the iSioms to the soldiers of the war of
fahd navy pensioners now on t5a r1,s g 81 o1 N