The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-19
The Social Status of Alaska
Redskins.
Louisiana Lovers Of Pinchbeack Politics
at the White House.
Rights Of SQuattcrs on In
dian Lands.
The ST. CROX JOB IN THE SENATE.
WASHINGTON, March Is, 1872.
The Status OF AlnsIxa Indians.

WASHINGTON, March Is, 1872.
The Status Or Alaska Indians.
The Secretary OF the Interior has written letter
to the Speaker OF the House with reference to the
condition OF the inhabitants OF Alaska, who resided
there prior to and ar the date OF our acqulsi-
ton OF That territory. The communication
includes letters from william Barrows late
OF the United States Army; Commissioner
Walker and Peace Commissioner Brunot, addressed
to the Indian Department, containing Information
with reference to the numbers, character and re-
quirements OF these people. The letter of the Com
missioner OF Indian Affairs suggests doubts as to
whether the native Inhabitants of Alaska should be
enthusiastically recognized as Indians within the
Intention OF the laws organizing the Indian offices
prior to some positive legislation bringing them
within the recognized Jurisdiction of the Indian
once.
Mr.. BrunOt expressed q desire that the Alaskans
be placed under the care OF the Interior Depart
ment, and that portion Of the past appropriations
be EXPENDED for their benefit Secretary DeIano,
who has given the subject such consideration as
the pressure OF public duties would admit thinks 1t
duty which the government cannot ignore to pro-
vide for the welfare and civilization OF the inhabi-
tants OF Alaska. He thinks It material to this
question that these people should have descended
from the same ancestry and be- OF the
same race as the Indians OF North
America, now under the guardianship of
the government. But while fully recognizing
this duty ne cannot as an executive Oficer, under.
take 10 expend government FUNDS In its discharge
without clear warrant OF law, and, recurring to
certain circumstances which lead him to this con.
clusion Mr.. Delano mentions, in the first place. the
fact that Congress mas NOT yet provided any Terri
toral government for Alaska also that previous to
its acquisition we had well defined and distinctly
lvsfp n Tn1i ,hroo
tribes OF the United States and applicable only
thereto. lie also inlimates doubt that the
Alaska Indians, so far, at least as
they inhaDt the islands, belong to the
same race as the North American Indians,
which suggests the questionable prOprlety OF using
the general fund for the service Of Indians the De-
partment appropriated prior to the acquisition of
Alaska for their wants without definite legislative
authority. The Secretary further says that 1t the
duty OF the government to bring this seml-barbar-
Gus and uncivllized people under the influence OF
the beneficial PROVISIONS made for the Indian tribes
how under the jurisdiction OF the Indian Office.
have no doubt he expresses these Views
for the purpose OF inviting The attention OF
Congress to the subject, In order that such
legislation may be introduced and perfected as Will
lead to the performance OF the duty which the gov
eminent owes TO the inhabitants OF Alaska, without
having such a result accomplished by what would
be at least very doubtful If not clearly erroneous
interpreuon OF existing laws. The Secretary has
also called the attention OF Congress to tho condition
Of the Porawatamie Indians. After careful
examination OF the treaties made with these
| tribes, several articles OF which are sci
| forth in the Secretary's communication, the
conclusion is reached that they were intended
to provide Tor all the Potawatames the right OF
citizenship; that it was not expected, however,
that each and every one OF said POtawatamies
would avail himself OF this right; and that, In order
to provide for those VINO did not become citizens
the Secretary was authorized to set apart reser.
Walton for their exclusive use and occupancy as a
tribe, tract of land not exceeding thirty miles
square, in the Indian country and that upon pay
ment therefor patent should Issue to the
Potawatamle nation. The Secretary says:-
81 am informed by the Commissioner OF
Indian Affairs that all the Potawatamies
have become citizens OF the United States.
1t would therefore seem that there Is now no
Potawalamies nation In existence, nor any tribe
OF said nation except what Is called the Prairie
Band In the amendment to the second article OF
February ~, 1867, and this band, by the express
words OF the amendment have no interest In said
reservation The expectations OF the contracting
parties &C the date Of the treaty have not been
realized. The PotawatamIes are now all
citizens. The nation Is extinct, and
no patent can be issued TO the nation as SUCH ac-
cordng to the text and unequivocal meaning OF the
treaty Of 1867. tract OF land thirty miles square
in the Indian country has been surveyed, and
many Of the POtawatames now citizens, have re-
moved to it and are now residing thereon. 1t has
not been paid for because 1t has never been con-
veyed by patent as contemplated by the treaty.
The secretary is OF the opinion that he has no
power to cause this tract to be conveyed
He suggests such legislation as will secure
TO the Potawatamies portion or the tract of land
referred to equal to eighty for each individual
and as these Indians have become citizens, and
hence possess the right OF alienation he suggests
that legislation be so guarded to secure them this
land lOng as they remain together an organized
body and no longer; and that 1t be not accom-
panied with any provision which Will permit Them
any OF them to ALLEVIATE their title, and that they
may be permitted to hold the land In severaly or in
common, as they may elect.
The Globe Printing Job.
There was another interesting and exciting scene
In the House to-day This time 1t was the Globe
printing job which raised the breeze. Mr.. Kelly OF
Pennsylvania moved u suspension OF the rules TO
pass bill providing for the payment by the Public
Printer for the printing OF the Globe for the Forty.
second Congress, for which, though there has never
been any contract, Messrs Rlves & Bailey have
run the risk OF receiving pay. Mr.. Beatty OF Onto
the Chairman OF the Committee on Printing, zeal,
ousy opposed this action on the part OF Mr.. Kelly
contendng that the matter should be referred 10 a
committee. The scene between these TWO gentle
men at one time assumed threatening aspect
ana in vain the Speakers hammer Numbered
Its commands Tor silence. Mr. Kelly presented the
claims of Messrs. Rives Bailey for printing the
GLOBE during the present session. The sum asked
for Is at the rate charged heretofore; Is so rep
resented by Mr. Kelly. Mr.. Beatty contends 1t is an
advance upon the Old price, which, In clear state.
ment made TO the House by that gentleman, he
claimed was by far too large sum. He also said
II he could not prove that the publishers had made
a clear profit OF $4,000 year he would resign his
seat and 60 home. lie charged that every
member OF the House had been lopbied
with for the passage OF this DILL and proposed that