The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-11-21
OUR PROTEGEs.
Annual Report Ofths Commissioner orIndlau
Affairs.
Reforms Proposed for the Advancement Of
The Indians.

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nual report Of the commissioner OF Indian
affairs has been submitted. 1t shows
that during the past year, there have been
among Indians general steady Advance
in civilization, which has had no parallel
in any previous yesr. In this Ogalla and
Brull Sioux have taken the lead, and their
progress during the last eighteen months
have been simply marvellous. 1t is no
longer question whether Indians will
work; those who are anxious to do so, are
largely in the majority. From all except
Ave civilized tribes in the Indian Territory,
there is largely increased desire for
houses and agricultural implements,
wagons &c. and for citizens clothing.
The following table shows substantial
results OF Indian labor during the year.
They are much larger than ever before
and but for the severe drouth in Indian
Territory and among the Navajoes, the
increase in crops would have been much
greater, especially the corn crop which is
less than last year: By Indians, exclusive
ot the five civilized tribes OF Indian Terri.
tory, in 1870 the number OF acres broken
was q 7,l3l; number OF acres cultivated,
Isl, ,056; number Of bushels OF wheat
raised, 32S.637; do. corn, 643, 99SG do. oats
and barley, ls9,054; do. vegetables, 39O,-
sos; tons Of hay cut, is, 1888. By the five
civilized tribes: Number Of acres cnltivat-
ed, 27S000; bushels of wheat raised, $685.
400; do. corn, 2,0l5,0O0; do. oats and bar.
ley, zoe, 900; do. vegetables, $500; tons
oil hay cut, l76,500.
The only sure way 10 make the Indians
advance in civilization and under the best
condition TO promote their welfare, is to
give each head OF the family one hundred
and sixty acres OF land, and 10 each un.
married adult eighty, and to issue patents
forsame. The history OF the Ute outbreak
given in detail without disclosing any facts
in reference to the removal of the Utes 10
some other Territory, the Commissioner
suggests that committee be appointed 10
visit the tribe and obtain its consent TO
remove from the State upon the payment
Of the full value OF the lands now occu.
pied. The advantages to he obtained by
removing them to the Indian Territory
are: First-An abundant supply OF ara.
BILE land. Second-Immunity from the
white encroachment, and third-Better
security for keeping the Indians peaceful,
as the country is not adapted to Indian
lighting, and everywhere offers open
fields Tor the use Of artillery and all the
appliances Of civilized warfare, so that
whatever be the disposition OF the In.
dians II resort to force should be neces.
sary it could be made effective in the In.
terests OF peace.
The Commissioner considers the enact.
ment OF abill extending the criminal laws
OF the respective States or territories over
the Indian reservations Of vital impor.
lance. The Indian policemen have shown
the utmost fidelity to the Government,
and when necessary, arrested even friends
and relatives with absolute imparliality,
Several instances are cited in proof OF
their fidelity. There is but one drawback,
which should be removed by Congress,
that Of inadequacy Of pay, which by law.
Is fixed at FIVE dollars per month. The
Commissioner recommends that it be in.
creased to fifteen dollars per month. The
following novel recommendations To he
made penal settlement for the confine.
ment and reformation OF tho more turbu.
lent and troublesome individuals AMONG
the various Indian tribes, Is a pressing
want: For murderers aud the worst class
Of refractory Indians, on settlement should
be in Florida, which is far enough from
the Indian reservation to make any at
tempt at escape hopeless.
Another settlement should be at some
point in the northwest, where considera.
BILE land can be found, upon which the
imprisoned Indians may be taught to
work for their own support. The settle
ment should be guarded by sufficient force
to exercise perfect discipline, and trades
as well as agriculture should be taught, So
when the time arrived for them 10 be re.
turned home, the captives would have
reached an advanced stage OF civilization.
Outside Of the Indian reservations men
are everywhere found driving a thrifty
business In selling the latest and best mai.
erns oi arms and fixed ammunition to non
civilized Indians. The sales thus far are
limited in amount only by the ability Of
the Indians to purchase.
Previous to the late Ute outbreak the
Indians were amply supplied with Win.
chester and Spencer rifles and fixad am,
munition, obtained from traders outside
the reservation. There Is no statute agains,
this crime, and the Commissioner rerom.
mends that legislation be especially drec.
ed against such sales by law Of Congress
prohibiting under severe penalty the sale
OF firearms and fixed ammunition, and
that further legislation requiring non,
civilized Indians to be disarmed, are the
only common sense and practicable meth,
DDS Of putting an end to this dangerous
; traffic.
The Pcncas are reported as doing vel
on their new reservation and rapidly ad
vancing in ways Of civilization. The pro
gress Of the youths trained in Indiar
schools Is OF the most hopeful character
Exclusive Of the five civilized tribes Of IN
] Indian territory thara ara nnur nrnr ! ~