The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-21

time OF Sle7 OOo-the demand being in excess the
supply. The successful introduction OF this coin
into China is working important commercial
changes San Francisco merchants and bankers
have instructed their correspondents In Mexico to
send them gold instead Of Mexican dollars as here
tofore. Within few days deposit OF gold leaf,
made in Hong Kong. weighing 100 ounces. was
made at the san Francisco Mint, and indicates the
displacement Of English and American gold coins
now in China by the trsde dollar. The Director
Of the Mint IL Of the opinion that II
the appropriations were sufncient to run
the mints to their full capacity, without which the
existing demand canpot be met, and the gold
coinage charge aorogatsds the bullion and coinage
operations OF this country, which have been very
largely increased during the past ten months,
would be still further and permanently augmented
and would be followed by many advantages to the
public interests. a. t.a
Provisions or tho Forthcoming Indian
Bnl-New Powers for tho Com tssion-
ers-successful Economy. ID.
The Indian bill was nearly completed this morn
ing by the House Committee on Appropriations
1t win be reported early next week by Judge
Loughridge. who Is specially charged with Its
preparation. The bill VIII provide very radical
changes in the organization Of the Indian service
and in the disbursements OF moneys, and. besides,
aggregate cost OF the service. The bill abolisnes all
superintendents Of Indian AFFAIRS except the one
for the Indian Territory. 1t also abolishes
eleven agents OF Indian AFFAIRS, eleven
interpreters and number or teachers, farmers.
blacksmiths, engineers and other employees OF
doubtful usefulness The committee have also de.
cided that where the interpreter is farmer also
the ONCE shall be abolished. The committee
have ABUNDANT evidence to show that In many
instances where charges made Ior interpre tors
there ID no such person employed, but that the
agent has q son appointed to the place, who draws
the pay but does no work. the agent securing the
services OF an Indian. This same nepotism has
been carried 80 far as to combine several ofnces
for the benefit Of the same class OF appointees.
There has been very thorough weed
ing out Of the personnel OF the SER
vice, and the committee are of the opin-
ion that all supernumerary oHaces have been
abolished. Another very important feature Of the
bill will be the investing Of the Indian Commits
sioners with absolute power In the matter OF Con-
sidering and settling claims, which includes also
the investigation Of all vouchers for supplies, or
other disbursements. This will take .he supreme
super visory power at present exercised BY the Sec
Rotary Of the Interior entirely out Of the jursdic-
tlon of that oficer and the Indian Commissioner.
At present all contracts for Indian supplies must
DC mace Dy the VOuul6SiOu6E IN CO00eCClOu with
the Commission. 1t is now the custom to turn all
matters OF Indian claims over to clerks. who pre-
pare opinion as to their merits and justice, and
report. The committee are satisfied that these
OPINIONS are Influenced by various means
The Secretary has overruled the Commissioners
and has caused large OUTLAWS In the settlement OF
questionable claims. taking the statements OF
subordinates as the basis OF his action. The pro-
visions of the bill will accord to dissatisfied parties
the right OF appeal from the decision OF the Com
missioners to Congress. The evidence before the
committee shows that the Indian Commissioners
are contracting for supplies at lower rates than
known for years. For instance, the cost Of hour
in Montana for the Backfeet has been as follows -
In 1871, from $40 Is to $12; in 1872, s. 80
to IS rs, and In 1873, So. For beef
the amount paid in 1871 was 81 per 100 pounds |;
in 1872 IS, and in 1879, 81 IS. For the Blackfeet
Crows and MIX River Indians the hour Of this year
will cost $l11.ooO, ana last year it cost $177 400.
At the rate 0f 1871 1t would cost $30e 1857. In the
number OF contracts there is also great difference.
Formerly these were awarded to four or I'VE per-
SONS, who monopolized the entire business of
feeding the Indians and conveniently controlled
all swindling operations At present there are
nfty-seven contracts, thus giving rise to healthy
competition. The Forthcoming Indian bill win be
one OF the most important introduced In Con.
gress for some years. 1t is believed that the bill
toreshadows q mosement to abolish the once of
Indian Commissioner.
Are Indians Citizenss-Dccision OF
Supreme Court OF New Mexico-The
Best Policy For Both Whites and
Reds.
The decision of the Supreme Court of New Mex
leo that the Pueblos Indians OF that Territory are
citizens may bring up the Indian question In Q
new shape. The Mexican government al no time
recognized an Indian title to the soil except where
the title had been granted, but treated the Ind.
dams merely as peculiar class OF citizens. BY
the treaty Of 1s4S ell citizens Of the Territories
transferred were entitled to all the privileges and
rights which they possessed under the Mexican
government. The Court therefore decided that all
the Indians within the Territories acquired by the
United States are by virtue OF such treaty. citizens
OF the United states. The Pueblos Indians, in
whose favor this decision was given, number, &C.
cording to the reports Of the indian bureau,
about 5000. They live in villages cultivate the
soil, and are said to be remarkable for sobriety,
industry and docility, as having but few wants.
and simple and moral in their lives. There are
some nineteen villages OF them. They can scarcely
be considered Indians, and but for the reserva-
tons patented to these bands In confirmation OF
ancient Spanish grants they might be considered
part OF the ordinary population OF the country.
Chief Justice Slough, OF New Mexico, In 1857 gave
an opinion to the same effect. Mr.. Rainey, the
colcred member Of the Committee on Indian Al.
fairs is said to be preparing speech on the sub.
ject, in which he will take the broad ground that
the Indians are citizens OF the United States
and cannot be considered or treated other.
wise. This opinion, it is well known, Is
entertained by many members. They say that
our whole system Of managing the Indians has
been wrong from the foundation or the govern.
ment; that treating with the Indians as separate
sovereignty within our own is an absurdity, and
has been the cause OF all our trouble with them
The only way to do is recognize them as class of
pauper citizens, amenable to our laws and punish
able for their offences, as are other citizens.
Should this view Of the prevail the whole sys-
tenn of agencies may be abolished, and the Indians