Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-12-14
Report OF the Secretary of the In.
terror,

WASHINGTON, Dec s.
The report begins with a consideration of In
dian affairs and says that the reports of Superin-
tendent and agents show progress and steady i'm
provement giving most satisfactory evidence of
the gradual advancement of the Indian in the
habits OF industry and development of agricul-
tural ability and disposition. Each year adds
greatly to the total number of cultivated by
Indian labor and most gratifying results in the in
creasing number of labOrers and amount of pro-
ducts. Personal Industry, with its practical les
sons of the benefits and increased comforts il Sc
cures, and growing taste and desire for educa-
tion must be relied upon as the great elements in
working out the problem OF Indian civilization.
The Secretary declares that. no matter what
particular policy may be pursued in regard to the
Indian believe that the one feature Of educating
him and making him self-supporting. or as nearly
so as possible, must always be steadily adhered
TO. The alternative cannot fail to be gradual ex-
tnction Of the race. If he is to be taught the
best material attainable should be secured and
paid accordingly. The sooner he is taught TO pro-
vide for his own support, the earlier the Govern
ment will be relieved therefrom.''
In relation to the Sioux he says: The unchecked
course OF this band was one OF the g eatest draw
backs to the success of our agents among the re-
Montana, and it became necessary to turn them
over to the War Department to be brought in upon
the reservations. This is being rapidly done. and,
but for the disastrous and sad fate of Gen. Custer
and his brave command, would have been con-
summated, in all probability, with slight loss to
forces"
For the general government OF the Indians the
Commission recommends three principles of pol.
icy: The concentration of all the Indians upon
few reservations. acceptance by them of lands in
severalty. and the extension them of tbs
United States law and jurisdiction OF the United
States courts and consequent dissolution of tribal
organization.
LEGISLATION is asked for the Indian Territory.
The report declares that 1.-The sooner the idea of con-
sdering and treating the various tribes in the In
dian Territory possessing sort of independent
power and nationality is done away with, the earlier
will we reach some practical solution of the EN-
barrassmentS which now surround the question OF
their government. The most of these people have
made great advancement in civilization and many
are fit TO embrace the full advantages of citizen
ship. They are under the care OF the Government
as much as any other portion OF its
people, and it is rs responsible, and in some re-
spects more responsible for their welfare. There
is no reason why the laws and jurisdiction Of the
courts should not be extended over them and they
be treated the same as any other like portion of
our population. aud some form of Territorial Gov
eminent devised which shall secure for .hem as
guaranteed, the exclusive occupancy CT their Ter
Titory by Indians. and, while protecting them from
the entertainments of The whites. provide the nee
essary means for the protection and government
OF themselves"
The successful removal to their reservations of
various tribes is commented on, and it is urged
that faith be kept with the Indians and that strict
legislation be given to the prohibition of the sale
of liquor to any Indian anywhere.
During the year p BOG 5f7.25 Of public
lands were surveyed, making, with the quantity
previously survey ed 702 059 eli Al acres and leav
ing yet to be surveyed 1,13! sos SO acres. The
quantity of land taken up under the homestead
and timber culture acts is Col $685. 6S acres greater
than that reported last year. AS these entries are
generally by actual settlers the increase is at
gratifying and encouraging.
The total sales for the fiscal year placed at
6524 1876 30 acres, and cash receipts 81 747, 215S5.
The work of the Patent Office shows crafty
ing increase in receipts and decrease in expendi-
lures, with slight increase in the amount of la
Dor performed. From Oct /, 1875 to Sept. 3 1876,
the total receipts from all $751; $780,
an increase over the previous year of $50 800. 49,
Xypr
S661 637.76, S47.23 1868 less than those for the
previous year. The number or applications for
patents 22.403, increase the former
year of 919. The number of patents issued, in
Guiding reissues and designs, was 1911, an in
crease over former year of 1.tS1.
In regard to pensions the report says: 1.-THE pen
sion roll has been diminished during the year by a
greater number than during any year since 1878,
when the maximum was reached. the number of
pensioners on the both of June, 1875 being 1854
more than at the close Of the last fiscal year. The
whole numb Der of names borne upon the pension
roll on the Both of june 1876, 232, 1877 OF this
NUMBER llo033 were pensioned as lnYalids and
1O2 oil as widows and dependent relatives: 49, 1913
were pensioners of the war OF 1872 ID 2O6 of whom
were survivors, and 4, 9S7 widows
1t is estimated that the sum of $2S, 533 900 will
be necessary for the pension service during the
suing fiscal year.
The Secretary states that the report of the Com
missioner of Education is replete with valuable
information as to educational statistics from the
States and Territories; that the Centennial made
great and unexpected demands upon the Office
from all quarters, and that SO, 900 printed
documents and letters were sent out in addition
to an extended correspondence. The report on
public libraries is announced now in press. 1t
traces the history and development of the several
classes of public and semi-public libraries in the
country besides detailed statistics of nearly $40
public libraries, containing in the aggregate, IL,
P76,964 volumes. In this connection the Secretary
says: Notwithstanding the liberal provisions of
the Government in respect TO furnishing its pub
LEGATIONS to public libraries, it appears that there
is not at present in any public depository in the
United States not even at the National Library, a
complete series OF Government publications..
of Prof. Hayden's work the report says: Six
sheets of the physical atlas have been com
pleted in accordance with previous instructions
from the Department of the Interior. and the en-
craving is nearly done, and that portion of the
physical atlas embracing Colorado and parts of the
adjacent Territories will be ready for distribution
early in the spring. Each of the sheets embraces
| an area of over l1,5C0 square miles, with total
area ofab0ut 1000 square miles"
And of Prof. Powell's expedition: s. As soon as
! the appropriations for 1S7677 could be used the
| surveying corps took the field, and five parties
We're organized-one TO continue the triangulation
two typographical parties, and two geographical
parties. These parties still in the field. The re
gion surveyed during tn present season has been
chiefly in the Territory of Utah, but small part
in the northern part of Arizona Prof. Powell and
| his parties have also been engaged in general
| photographic work in the Rocky Mountain region
One of the special items in these instructions was
the classification of the Ind tribes, such classi
ication being not only of scientific interest but oil
Importance in the administration of Indian affairs
During the year ending June 80 1876 931 patients
| were under treatment in the Government Hospital
for the Insane being an increase over the previous
| year OF 49, The expenses of the institution were
| S167173. AZ, and the receipts 1857, II, RI
| During the year ending June So 1876, 100 pupils
-S5 males and Is femaes-received instruction in
| the Columbia Institution for the Deaf and Dumb
| The receipts during the year. including balance
of 1891 81 on hand at the beginning of the year
Were S55S13.76, and the disbursements S54, 6i6 IS
leaving an unexpended balance Of s., 1901.
During the year ending June 30. IS g. 500 persons
were treated in the Freedmens Hospital, of which
number 331 admitted during the year; of this
number DOB We're males and 1fS females. During
the year males were born in the hospital and Il
females.
| During the year ending June 80. 1876. $50 pa
hents were under treatment in the Columbia Hos
| pital for Women and Lying -in Asylum; 222 were
admitted during the year. There were so births
during the same time.
For the same time in Providence Hospital 561
patients were admitted, of which number 449 were
males and 112 females. Dnring the year $50 were
discharged and 40 died. The total number treated
was CIT -52S being males and 40 females.
The Department through its several bureaus and
Offices has been well represented at the Interna-
tional Exposition held at Philadelphia. Pa The
collections furnished by the Patent, Land Indian
Educational and Census OFF res, together with thu
offerings of the Geological Surveys under Messrs.
Hayden and Powell. attracted marked attentinu
among the Government exhibits, and in their dr.
rangement and selection reflected credit on chose
having them in charge.
The New Sneaker