Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-11-16
Our Indian Wards.
ACCOMMODATIONS OF COMMISSIONER
SMITH IN HIS ANNUAL REPORT.

RECOMMENDATIONS OF COMMISSIONER
SMITH IN HIS ANNUAL REPORT.
IL his forthcoming annual report Commits.
sioner Smith, Of the Indian bureau, will rec
Ommend the
ABOLITION OF THE CONTRACT SYSTEM,
and that all purchases be made by the War
department; that the purchases of clothing,
tents, farming and household utensils, cattle
and Eorses, be made by the Quartermaster's
department. ard be transported under the
direction OF that department TO the cost;
there inspected by officers of the army APP.
pointed for the purpose, and delivered into
the agents hands. whose duty shall be sim
ply TO attend TO their distribution; that the
food be distributed i'm the same way after
purchase taEopg1 Tie Commissary depart
ment.
IN REFERENCE TO THE BLACK HILLS
the Commissioner says there is only one al
ternaliye for the government-eithert to in
crease the military force so as TO compel a
strict observance of the rights of the Sioux
or put such restrictions upon the exercise OF
The large bounty DOW granted to them by the
government as 10 procure their assent TO the
cessiOn of the Black Hills country. He be-
lieves the occupation Of the hills by whites
is inevitable, AID will recommend that legis-
lation be sought from Congress, Offering a
full equivalent for the country lying between
the north and south forks of the Cheyenne
river. IN Dakota, and for the relinQul shment
OF whatever rights the Sioux may have 10
the Big Horn mountains i'm Wyoming and
ON the condition that the bounty of the gov
erDment IN food TO these Indians be part of
the consideration; and that they be made
FULLY aware that any further receipt of ra-
tons by them would be held by the govern
me mt To he an acceptance of the terms offered
~ e commissioners will recommend strongly
The expulsion OF all those persons known as
"soUAw MEN"
the white husbands OF squaws, from the In
Dian reservations. and the removal OF the
Slrtted 1all and Red Cloud agencies 10 the
Missouri river. He will also recommend
that the Indians be compelled 10 labor I'm re-
turn for the rations given them by the gov
ernment. He believes that IL these removals
are made IL will he necessary TO make larger
appropriations for the next two years, after
which they can be steadily lessened until
thep cease altogether. He thinks il is pos
sible to civiIze the Sioux, provided a suit
able country can be found for their occupa-
ton, and the government and its agents can
be patient. The commissioner will further
recommend that all Indians living within
the limits OF the organized states be trans
ferred 10 the care of those states, and the bu-
reau be relieved OF them.
SUSPECTED FRAUD.-Some months ago
the Commissioner OF Pensions suspended
action upon large number of bounty land
claims from Florida and Louisiana. TheSe
claims were mostly for militia service end
there are grave suspicious that many OF
them are fraudulent. A special iuves-
legation has been ordered in these
cases as well as in certain other claims, and
the Commissioner has ordered that hereafter
III tbc duyVulCdIlO1 Oh n claim bounty
land warrant the examiner will be particle
lar TO call for all evidence necessary TO COM
plete the claim; and, when in his Judgment,
Ire evidence is sufficient TO warrant the
allowance, he will brief the evidence fully,
and submit the evidence and brief for the ac-
ton of the board OF appeal. II the board
deem the evidence Sufficient they will en-
dorse their approval thereon, and return the
same TO the chief OF the bounty land divi-
sion, that q warrant may issue; when the
warrant will be submitted, with the brief,
to the Commiss Toner for his action. II the
claim is not established the board will re-
turn the case to the examiner, through the
chief OF the bounty land division, with pro-
per requirements sts ed on slip, which re-
quirements must be fully complied with by
the examiner.
TEE BANKRUP. LAws.-Tne Philade,pl,ia
board OF trade " sterday resolved TO petition
Congress TO arlend the Bankrupt law So
az TO require that all Judgments, notes.
bonds, or o. .er Instruments AUTHORIZING
an entry Of ig6aent or other lien agaiusf
personal r. Jperty, shall be entered or
record At Last four months before ina
Ming OF q y petition In bankruptcy.
~ Ihe attorney general or Florida has de-
clared uacOnstitutioaai the law licensing
keno.
VTne Omaha fire department has resolved
to di.oand II tine city persists I'M ~ utentioa
q reducing its pay.