The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-12-06
Report OF the Secretary OF the Iu.
terIOr.

The policy OF the government in the
conduct OF Indian affairs for the past
two years has been productive Of graft.
tying results. The services of the un-
paid board OF Indian Commissioners
have also exercised wholesome intlu-
ence in establishing the new policy. the
most notable effects o. which thus Tar
have been 10 suppress Indian wars and
depredatious, 10 unite tribes upon
designated reservations, and 20 improve
them in agriculture and other indus.
tries. The success which has attended
the policy offers reason 10 hope for the
gradual social elevation and Christian
ization OF the race. During the year,
the various tribes have raised agricul
tural products TO the value OF more
than eight millions OF dollars not in
GLIDING The products of the Cherokeps,
from whom no report has been received,
but whose products last year were
valuel at over two and one halt
million dollars; being an aggregate
of about ten millions OF dollars worth
OF farm proiuce There are two hun
ired and sixteen schools a"pong the
Ind an tribes, with three hundred and
twentvthree teachers, and an avera .e
OF 1920 pupils. Some progress is also
being made towards inducing the more
troublesome and nonaiic tribes in
Arizona, New Mexico aud on the west
ern b riders OF Texas 10 acc-pt and en
ter upon reservations, and there is rea.
sonatle ground 20 hope that it will
eventually he accomplished. For this
purpose il is OF importance that increas-
Ell and liberal appropriations for food,
clothing and farming implements be
made by Congress. The establishment
Of compulsory system Of education. to
such an extent as TO withhold annuities
from those who refuse or neglect 70
avail themselves OF the educational "a
ciIties offered, is also recommended,
while the encouragement OF agriculture
by the payment OF premiums TOR the
best cultivated farms is sug yes,ed a. a
further means Of their advancement.
The Indian population now under the
jurisdiction OF The United States is about
32l 900, including the estimated popu.
lstion Of Alaska Excluding tbese, and
1868 scattered throughout the Southern
States, not maintaining tribal relations,
the reminder are loitted on reserva-
tIons embracing an aggregate Of 22S. 473
square miles, or l37 846 97l acres. II
il recommended that this Indian popu-
lstion be gathered into a smaller area,
the Indian territory, south Of Kansas
and west OF Missouri and Arkansas.
being suggested; 4 step which would
release nearly a hundred millions Of
acres from Indian occupancy, and
throw il open 10 white settlement and
cultivation, besides having a tendency
to oblterate many OF the existing Oh
staclea 10 Indian civilization The
custom Of holding all property in
common, which ia always a tax upon
industry, and a premium upon Incidence
and unthritt, would be abolished.
Frequent changes OF reservations, the
source OF so many OF our troubles With
that race in the past, would cease. The
rewards OF industry would be 50 liberal
az TO obliterate their long standing
prejudice against labor, while the lack
o. opportunity to do away with the
desire 10 engage in those diversions,
aud those who were not convinced Of
the propriety Of industry would soon
be compelled 10 recognize its necessity.
The aggressions oil white settlers on
Indian re.ervat;on are denounced. and
the complaint Of q number OF tribes
that the surveys Of the railroads author.
lied to be built through the Indian
country deprive them OF nearly all the
reliable grazing aud farming lands in
their supposed reservations. are recon-
nended TO the attention OF Congress,
since they repder the Indians unea.y as
10 the tenure Of their lands, bringing
the good faith OF the Government into
doubt, and retsrding the working ofthe
pacific policy. Mr.. CoIyers mission TO
Cochise, the Apache chief. is described
as having had a good Influence. En-
couraging progress toward inducing the
Apaches TO enter upon the designated
reservations has been made. Instruc.
tions have been given the military al
thorities TO cooperate with the officers
ofthe Indisn Bureau, and 10 advise the
Apaches that il they will enter upon the
reservation provided for them, 10 good
faith. and live thereon pesceably, they
will receive the aid and protectioo ol
the Government, bot il they do not do