Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-11-28
Annual Report of the Commissioner Of
Indian Affairs.

NAshlNtlON- NON. Ne
The annual report of the Commissioner of In
dian Attairsahas been submitted. 1t shows that
during the past year there has been among the
Indians in general a steady advance to civiliza-
ton, which has had no parallel in any previous
year. In this the Ogalalla and Brule Sioux have
taken the lead, and their progress during the last
eighteen months has been simply marvellous. It
is no longer a question whether the Indians will
work. Those who are anxious to do so are now
largely in the majority. From all except hye
civilized tribes in Indian Territory there is call
Tor lands in severalty. There is a largely
increased desire for houses and agricultural i'm
plements, wagons, etc., and for citizens CLOTH
ing. The following table shows the 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 Navaioes the increase in crops would have
been much greater, especially in the corn crop,
which is less than that of last year.
BY Indians exclusive of the five civilized tribes
of Indian Territory, 1879: Number of acres
broken "a ,l3l; number of acres cultivated, l57,-
056 number of bushels wheat raised, 32S,6 ,637
number of bushels corn, GAS 2S6; mum Der of
bushels oats and barley, lS9,O54: number of
bushels vegetables, 99O,69S; toss of hay cut, 49,
BY the FIVE civilized tribes; Number of acres
cultivated, 273,OOO; bushels of wheat raised, $685.,
400; bushels of corn, 2;0l5,0O0; bushels of oats
and barley, 20O0OO; bushels of vegetables, 1885,
700; tons of hay cut, 176,5I0.
The only sure way to make the Indians adj
vance in civilization under the best condition TO
promote their welfare is to give each head of a
family 60 acres of land, and to each unmarried
0AhAb NAshe1 oeASof eANA w inohS PoeohN' AoA eho
same.
The history Of the Ute outbreak is given in
detail without disclosing any new facts.
In reference to the removal of the Utes to
some other location, the Commissioner suggests
that commission be appointed to visit the tribe
and obtain its consent to remove from the
State upon the payment of full value of lands
now occupied. The advantages to be Obtained
by removing them to Indian Territory are first,
an abundant supply of arabic land and cultiva-
ton; second. immunity from white encrOaoh-
ment; and third, better security tor keeping the
Indians peaceful, as the country IL not adapted
TO Indian fighting, and everywhere offers open
fields for the of artillery and all the appli-
ances of civilized warfare, so that whatever be
the disposition of the Indians, if resort to force
should be necessary, it could be made effective
in the interests of peace.
The Commissioner considers the enactment Of
bill extending the criminal laws of the respect
i've States or Territories over Indian Reserva-
tions of vital importance. The Indian police
men have shown the utmost fidelity to the Gov
ernment. and have, when necessary, arrested
even friends and relatives with absolute impair
tiality. Several instances are cited in proof of
their fidelity There is but one draw back which
should be removed by Congress-; this is the IN
adequacy of pay. which by law is fixed at five
dollars per month. The Commissioner recon-.
mends that II be increased TO fifteen dollars per
month.
The following novel recommendation ia made
penal settlement for the confinement and
reformation OF the more turbulent and trouble