Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-08-17
OUR INDIAN POLICY,
The New and the Old Systems.
OF THE METHODS OF ADMINS
TRATJnN

The New and the Old Systems.
COMPARISON OF THE METHODS OF ADMINS
TRATION.
VI late years there have been many and rad
ical changes in the administration of Indian
affairs. The present methods of accounting
for property and money and of doing the bu-
siness generally, are SO diffe. ent from those of
former years that a few comparisons, from
the records OF the Indian bureau, will not be
amiSs. In the fiscal year 1874 the apprOpria-
tons Tor the indian service amounted to
SIS, 81, 80, and the actual number of indians
to be cared for by the government was less
than at the present time. For the service dur.
ing the present fiscal year there was but
s., 733 ,8I5.72 appropriated, and there now are
25O,LtO Indians to be cared for.
until the fiscal year 1877 each Indian agent
had charge of the disbursements of the funds
which were appropriated for his agency. At
the present time the total disbursements of
Indian agents for other purposes than the
payments OF cash annuitieS and the salaries
ol employees, do not exceed 100000. Formerly
almost all the money expended for the Indian
service was spent in payments for open mar
ket purchases. Now almost all expenditures
are made by payments through the Treasury
department, for goods purchased under con
tract, made by the Commissioner of Indian
Affairs. Formerly agents were the sole judges
of the necessities for making purchases.
Now they must submit their proposals and
Commissioner of Indian Affairs who, if he
approves, must ask the Secretary of the Inte.
rlor for authority to make the purchases
formerly there was nothing to prevent con-
tractors putting in st; aw bids or withdrawing
after a contract had been awarded to them in
order that bidder at higher price (OfGen.
times the same party under another name)
might receive the award: Now bidders are
obliged to deposit certified checks, upon some
national depository for five per cent upon
the ;an amount cunt OF the co4ntract to be awarded,
aW ard being made the party fails to enter into
contract. Formerly contracts were SO drawn
that those to whom beef and flour contracts
were awarded could. and did habitually, take
advantage OF the necessities of the Indians to
force agents to accept inferior grades to those
which were called for in the contract Now
these contracts are so drawn that if a con-
heavy loss; Formerly agents hired as
many man thamp employs, yes, as they saw fit. and
Now all employees must be approved by the
Secretary OF fhe Interior and legal limits are
fixed to the amounts which may be expended
Tor agency employees. Formerly agents ac
years. Now their accounts are settled quar-
terly. Formerly funds were remitted to
agents when their accounts had not been sent
IN LOT two or three years. Now remittance to
employees cannot be paid until their accounts
I0r the preceding quarters have been receiv-
ed IN the Indian cttice. Formerly the unex-
pended balance OF funds which remained in
the hands OF agents al the end of a fiscal year.
was carried over by them to succeeding years
until their retirement from the service.
Treasury at the end of each fiscal year
Formerly agents expended government prop
erty in such manner as they thought best.
Now sufficient reasons must be given for the
disposal OF any government property, and au.
thOrlty must be obtained from the Secretary
Of the Interior before any expenditure can be
by Indian agents were receipted for by the
chiefs. Now each head of a family and each
individual Indian. who is of age, must receipt
for himself Formerly when annuity monies
were paid to Indian tribes in fulfIment of
treaty stipulatiOns, large percentage of the
whole sum was divided Tor supposed to BEL
dividual Indian, including chiefs, receives his
pro rata share. Formerly flour was acceDtod
Ct an Indian agency without any Inspection.
upon its arrival at the agency. Formerly