Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-12-13
Report Of the Secretary Of the In
terror. trF.

The report begins with u consideration of In
dian affairs. and says that the reports of Supern-
tendent and agents show propress and steady i'm
proyement, 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 10 the total number of acres cultivated by
Indian labor, and most gratifying results in the in
creasng number OF laborers and amount of pro-
duets. Personal Industry, with its practical les
sons Of the benefits and increased comforts it Sc
cures, and n growing taste and desire for educa-
ton, must be relied upon az 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 -supportng, or nearly
so as possible, must always be steadily adhered
TO. The alternative cannot fail to be gradual eX-
tinction of the race. If he is to be taught. the
success must depend upon the teacher and the
best material attanable 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 theretrom.N
In relation to the Sioux he SAYS ''rhe unchecked
course of this band was one o. the eatest draw
backs 10 the success of our agents among the re-
naming SitslX and other bands in Dakota and
Montana, and 1t became necessary to turn them
over TO the War Department to be brought in upon
the reservations. This is being rapid done and,
but for the disastrous and sud fate of Gen. Custer
and his brave command would have been con.
summated, in all probability with slight loss to our
forces"
For the general government of the Indians the
Commits lion recommends three principles of pol
icy: The concentration of all the Indians upon n
few reservations. acceptance by them of lands in
seyeraltV, and the extension over them OF the
United States law and jurisdiction of the United
States courts, and consequent dissolution of tribal
organization.
The report declares that 1.-THE the idea of con.
siderng aad treating the various tribes in the In
dian Territory a. possessing a sort OF independent
power and nationality II done away with the earlier
VIII reach practical solution of the
harrassments which now surround the question of
their government The most of these people have
made great advancement in civilization. and many
are lit To embrace the fun advantages OF citizen
snip. They are under the care OF the Government
As much ms any other portion Of it,
people, aud II is NJ responsible and in some re
speCt- more responsible for their welfare. There
L. NO reason why he laws and Jurisdiction of the
courts should not he extended over them and they
De treated the same Hs any other like portion of
our population and some form of Territorial Gov
erument devised which shall secure for Them,
guaranteed. the exclusive occupancy CT their Ter
ritory by indians and, while protecting them from
the encruachmeuts 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 II is urged
that faith be kept with the Indians and that strict
legislation be given 10 the prohibition OF the sale
of liquor to any Indian aavN here.
During the vear II sS SlT.25 acres Of public
lands were surveyed, ma ing. with the quantity
previously ~uryey ed, 102e59 81 acres. aud leav-
Ing lrt TO I've saryeyed l,i3 eos 2H.a3 acres The
quantity Of land taIeu up under the homestead
and timber culture acts i COL sN66S acres greater
than that reported last wear. A. these entries
generally Jy actual settlers the Increase il az once
gratifying and eucO raging
The total sales for the fiscal year are placed at
bH24 r,6 IS acres and cash receipts Sl,,t12l5.e5.
The work pf the Patent Office shows gratiiy-
iEs Increase In rece pts and decrease in eypendi-
in'r>, with slight increase ~ me amount 81 Ia
Dor performed From oct. I, 1873, % sept. 1870.
the toTH receipts from all sources We're IS.
an increase over the prcyious year Of SAa%llSs.
During the Same period the expenditure were
Soal $50 g. or a., so 81 lees than those for the
prtsi1u~ year. The number or applications for
patents WIS - 10 an Increase over she former
year Of 9i9. The number of patents ISSUED In
Guiding REISSUES and designs. was 1881, an iu-
crease over former year of l. -,
Ia regard % pensions the report says; The pen
sion toll has been diminished during the wear hy a.
greater number than daring any year since 1873,
when thv maximum was reached. the number of
pensioners ON the @oth Of jane. 1875. being 2b>i
more ra.R 90 the close of the Last fiscal year, The
Whole uUa be- Of names borne upon the pension
roll on the stl 81 June. lsb was 2ks 49, or This
uu~Nrr il0uS were pCustoned as luNdllds, ana
jog Hll - widows and dependent relative, lAlS
~. re pensioners 81 the war OF l>l2, llaD ut whom
Wy-s survivors, aud AlS, widows.
it = estimated that the sam Of IS. ,s3.tSl VIII
be necessary for the pens on stNicg during the en-
suing fiscal year
The Secretary states that the report ~ che Com
missioner of EduCEJion j. rcplete with valuable
information a> 10 educational statistics from the
States aud Territories, that the EcAtcuuial maee
tcon sill quarters, and that over 5000 printed