The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-12-09
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
Annual Report of Secretary Schurz-Ee-
view of His Four Years. Administration
Recommendation for the Future.

view of His Four Years. Administration
Recommendations for the Future.
washington Telegram, 1st:)
In his annual report the secretary of the
interior gives review. not only of the
past year, but of the four years of his adj
ministration. The larger part ia reported
devoted to Indian affairs. In his opening
chapter upon this subject the secretary gives
an explanation of the important change
which has taken place with regard to the
reservation system. He says, although at
first accepting, as he found it, the reserva-
ton policy which had SO long been followed
by the Indian Office, more extensive obser-
vation of the matter gradually convinced
him this was mistaken policy-that it
accordance with justice, as we'll as wise ex-
to leave them upon the lands they occupied,
provided such lands were capable of yielding
them sustenance by agriculture or pastoral
pursuits, and to begin and follow up the
practice of introducing among them the
habits and occupations of civilized life on
The ground they inhabited. In view
IF the fact that system of large
reservations, against the pressure OF white
immigration and settlement would in course
If time become impracticable, different
policy has been followed, having for its o.
ect the settlement of Indians upon lands in
severalty, and disposal for their benefit of
Eheir lands not required for this purpose,
and gradually to prepare the way fer their
final incorporation into the body politio as
independent and self relying men, invested
with all the rights which other inhabitants
IF the country possess. The results already
accomplished in pursuance of this policy
and the promising outlook in the same di-
rection are described in general terms and
illustrated by specific accounts Of the pro-
gress made by individual tribes.
During the present administration the
agricultural labor of the Indians has been
more than doubled in quantity and value.
The figure show that the civilized and IN
civilized tribes together cultivated last year
4S2,739 acres of land, or about l % acres to
zach man, woman and child, upon an esti-
mate that the total Indian population Of the
country is 100000. Secretary Schurz ex-
presses firm belief that the agricultural in
1ustry of the Indians would be greatly
stimulated, and its product much increased,
# assurance were given to them that
hey will be secure in the possession
If their lands. The secretary in subsequent
part of the report calls especial attention to
The bill already submitted by him to Con-
sress, which provides for division Of farm
tracts among the Indians in seyeralty on
their respective reservations, the issuance of
patent, to them Individually and their invest
nent with the fee simple title to their farms
...ad homes, and hopes it will receive early
: Consideration in Congress. The secretary
continues: ~ desire also to call attention
once more to the bill repeatedly introduced
INTO Congress-, extending over the
Indian reservations the jurisdiction
If the courts of States or Ter
.-ritories in which such reservations
ire located, giving Indians such standing in
,ourt and securing for them the full benefit
If the laws. I venture to express hope
hat Congress may not adjourn without
having taken some action upon these i'm
portant measures. SO essential to the pro-
yress and security of our Indian wards"
Continuing his account of the civilizing
-'gencies employed by the present adminiss
ration, the secretary mentions, nsxt to
agricultural pursuits, the introduction OF
, ,reighting and mechanical pursuits
.mong tho Indians; he says
asst years experience of employing Indians
IS ..freighters with their own ponies, has
proved to be one of the most benefcient in
aovations ever made in Indian manage
nent. Nearly 1000 freight wagons have
oeen in use by Indians this year with re-
,nlt of saving considerable money to the
government, compared with the amounts
formerly paid for the same transportation
Sof supplies, ETC., to the agencies), besides
furnishing a civilizing and welcome employ
nent to large number of otherwise reck-
ess Indians. .. ..
~L,, -
racles in workshops at the agencies has in
creased from 1875 last autumn to 359 this
rear. The policy of employing Indians as
Vorkmen, land even as foremen and machinists
It agencies, has been continued and extended
With great success. Brick making has been
1egun. Houses for Indians are now almost
exclusively built by Indians themselves. Tho
aptitude shown by Indians for mechanical
work has in many cases been surprising
md IS considered deserving every possible
Encouragement. The expressions of anxious
lesire on the part of Indians belonging to
he so-oalled wild tribes to have their chill
lren instructed in the ways of civilizea life
lave, it is stated, grown so numerous and
Urgent that the inadsQuacy Of the means
placed at the disposal Of the department for
he purpose has become par
icularly painful. The desire and
purpose of the department. is to
. argely increase the present small twenty in
ustral boarding schools for Indian youth,
8 the day schools at agencies do not with
RAW the pupils from the influences of home
surroundings sufficiently to facilitate a
hauge in their whole daily life.
49, The report next mentions another i'm
ortant civilizing agency largely introduced
nder the present administration, the organ
cation of police force of Indians, which
ave been put in operation at forty agencies.
The force now consists of 162 officers and
= ;5S privates. It's benefits, both as means
# obtaining good order, and as moral in.
luence upon the Indian tribes, among
whom it has been established, are set forth
8 worthy of special notice. ..
Looking at the present condition of things
may be said without exaggeration, that on
ne whole the Indian situation is now more
lopeful than ever before. The desire of the
indians to maintain friendly relations with
heir white neighbors, to 60 to work for
heir own support, to cultivate soil, to &C
Iuire permanent homes, to have their chill
rem educated, and to assimulate themselves
tho civilization Of the country, is growing
tronger and more general every day.
Secretary Schurz remarks that experience
as strengthened his conviction, which, as
his ia his last report he feels at greater lib