The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-12-16
TIE INTERIOR.
CONDITION OF THE INDIANS.


The report of the secretary Of the interior pre-
SCENTS an elaborate account Of the transactions OF the
department during past years. IL gives me- great
pleasure To say that Indian affairs appear To he
In more hopeful condition than ever before. The
Indians have made gratifying progress in agrirul-
ture, herding aud mechanical pursuits. Many who
were few years ago in hostile conflict with the gov
erument quietly settling down ON farms which
they hope 10 make permanent homes, building
houses and engaging IN ocsu atoms Of civilized
life. The introduction Of the freighting business
among them has been remarkably fruitful of good
results in giving many OF them eengenia and
rcmunerative employment and stimulating their
ambition 10 earn their own support. Their honesty,
idelity and efficiency, are highly praised.
dh' lnasna Sas been eqSss
full in maintaining law and order upon the
reservations aud in exercising wholesome moral
influence among the Indians themselves. concur
with the secretary of the interior in the RECON-
mendaton that the pay Of this force be increased,
an inducement 10 the best class Of young men To
enter il. Much care and attention has been de-
voted to the enlargement Of
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES FOR THE INDIANS.
The means available for this important object
have been very inadequate few additional
boarding schools at Indian agencies have been
tablishcd, and the erection Of buildings has been
begun for several more; but an increase Of the ap-
preparations for this interesting undertaking IL
greatly Died 10 accommodate the large number OF
Indian children Of school age. The number
offered by their parent. from all parts OF
government schools Is much larger than can be ac-
commodated with the means at present available
for that purpose. The number Of Indian pupils at
the normal schools ut Hampton, Va, under the
direction Of Gen. Armstrong, has been considerably
increased and their progress Is highly encouraging
The Indian school, established by the interior de-
partment In 1872 at Carlisle under the direction
of Capt. Pratt has been equally successful 1t has
now nearly 300 pupils, Of both sexes, representing
great variety Of the tribes east OF the Rocky noun
tans The pupils in both these institutions receive
not only an elementary English education but are
also instructed in housework, agriculture and use
full mechanical pursuits. similar school
tablshed this year at Forest Grove, Oregon, for
the education Of Indian youth on tho Pacific
coast. In addition To this, thirty-six Indian boys
and girls were selected from the Eastern Chero-
KEGS, and placed in boarding schools In North Car
olina, where they are to receive an elementary
English education, and
TRAINING IN INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS
The interest shown by Indian parents, even among
the so-caled wild tribes. in the education Of their
children IL very gratifying and gives promise that
the results accomplished by the efforts now making
will be Of lasting benefit. The expenses Of Indian
education have so far been drawn from the perna-
nent civilization fund at the disposal Of the depart
ment Of the INTERIOR but the fund IL
now so much reduced that the con-
tinuance Of this beneficial work will
In the future depend upon specific appropriation
by congress for the purpose, and venture To cx-
press the hope that congress will not permit insti-
tutons fruitful Of good results to perish for want
Of means for their support. On the contrary, an
increase OF the number OF such schools appears to
me highly advisable. The past year has been I'M
usually free from disturbances among the Indian
tribes An agreement has been ilhue Win
THE UTEs
by which they surrender their large reservation
In Colorado In consideration OF an annuity to be
paid To them, and agree to settle on certain lands
designated for that purpose farmers holding In
diyidua title 10 their land In fee simple, inalien-
able for u certain period In this way a costly In
dian war has been avoided which at one time
seemed imminent and for the frs time In the his
tory Of the country an Indian nation has given up
tribal existence To be settled in severaty and live
nv individuals under the common protection
Of the laws Of the country. The
conduct Of the Indians throughout
the country during past years, but with few note
worthy Interruptions has been orderly and peace
full The guerilla warfare carried ON for two years
by VictoIo and his band Of southern Apaches has
virtually come tn All end by the death OF that chief
and most Of his followers on Mexican soil: The
disturbances caused on the northern frontier by
Sitting Bull and his band. who had taken
refuge In the British dOminions, are
also likely TO cease. large majority Of his follow
mainder are apparently In progress Of disintegra-
ton ] concur with the secretary Of the interior In
expressing the earnest hope that congress will, at
this session, take favorable action on the bill pro-
viding for the
ALLOTMENT OF LANDS
on the different reservations In seyeralty To the In
dans with patents comforting fee simple ttle ina
lienable for certain period, and the eventual dis
position Of the residue Of tho reservation for gener-
al settlement, with the consent and for the benefit
Of the Indians, placing the latter under the
equal protection Of the laws OF the
country. This measure, together with
avigorous prosecution Of our educationl efforts
will mark the most important and effective advance