The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-12-10

ScuC VI NJ nuiuptOus utisttA eato tioses'h "
Gen. Armstrong, has been considerably m
creased, and their progress Is highly
encoui Sging. The Indian school established
by thu Interior Department, in 1879, at Car.
Isle, Pr, under the direction OF Capt. Pratt,
has been equally successful. 1t has now near
ly 200 pupils OF both sexes, representing great
variety o. the tribes east Of The Rocky mount
aims. The pupils in both these institutions re-
ceive not nlya an elementary English education,
but are also Instructed in housework, agricuIt-
ure, and useful mechanical pursuits. A SINH
lar school VIZ established this year at Forest
Grove, Ore. for the education of Indian
youth on the Pacific coast. In addition to thus
thirty-sN Indian boys and girls were selected
from tho Eatern Cherokees and placed in
boarding-scho. in North Carolina, where
they are to receive an elementary English edit
cation and training In industrial pursuits. The
interest shown by Indian parents, even among
tho so-called WHY tribes. in the education OF
their children is very gratifying, and gives
promise that the results accomplished by the
efforts now making will he Of lasting benefit.
The expenses OF Indian education have 30
far been drawn from the permanent civiliza-
ton fund at the DISPOSAL OF the Department OF
the Interior but the fund is now so much re-
dnced that the continuance OF this beneficial
work will in the future depend on specific APP
preparations by Congress for the purpose, and
venture To express the hope that Congress will
not permit institutions 70 fruitful OF good re-
support On the contrary, an increase OF the
number Of schools appea>s to be highly advis-
able.
The past year has beer unusually free from
disturbances among the Indian tribes An
agreement has been mace with 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 in
severalty on certain lands designated for
that purpose, as farmers, holding individual
title to their land in fee-simple, iDalienable
for certain period. In this way o costly
Indian war has been avoided, which, at one
time, seemed imminent, and, for the first time
in the history Of the country, an Indian nation
has given up its tribal existence to be settled
in severalty, and to live as individuals under
tlse common protection OF the laws of the
country. The conduct Of the Indians through
out the country, during the past year, with
but few noteworthy exceptions, has
been orderly and peaceful The guerrilla
warfare carried on for two years by
Victoria and his band Of Southern Apaches has
virtually come to an end by the death OF that
chief and most of his followers, on Mexican
soil The disturbances caused on our northern
frontier by Sitting Bull and his men, who had
taken refuge in the British dominons, are also
likely TO cease. A large majority Of his follow
! ers have surrendered to our military forces,
and the remainder are apparently III progress
of disintegration.
Iccncur with the Secretary of the Interior
in expressing the earnest hope that Congress
will at this session take favorable action on
the ILL providing for the allotment of lands
on the different reservations in severalty 10
the Indians. with patents comforting fee
simple title inaIienable for certain period,
and the eventual disposition of thu residue OF
the reservations, for general settlement, with
the consent and for the benefit of the In
dams, placing the latter under the equal
! protection of the laws Of the country. This
! measure, together with vigorous prosecution
! of our educational efforts, will work the most
+ important and effective advance toward a solu-
tom Of the Indian problem, in preparing for tht
! gradual merging of our Indian population IL
| the great body of American citizenship.
A large increase is reported in the disposal OF
public lands for settlement during the pas
year, which marks the prospt rous growth %
our agricultural industry, and q vigorous movo
ment of population toward our unoccupieC
lands. As this movement proceeds the codLt
cation of our land laws, "a well a. proper legls
lation to regulate the disposition of public
lands, becomes of mere pressing necessity, ant
! / therefore invite the consideration of Congress
to the report and the accompanying draft OF I
bill, made by the Public Lands Commission
which were communicated by me to Congress
at he last session. Early action upon this i'm
portant subject il highly desirable.
The attention of Congress il again asked Il
the wasteful depredatlons committed ON oul
! public timber-lands and the rapid and indi5
crininate destruction of our forests. The III
gent necessity Tor legislation 10 THIS end is nov
generally recognized. In view of the lawles
character Of the depredations committed, ant
the disastrous consequences which will inevita
bly, follow their continuance, legislation has
again and again been recommended to arres
the evil, and to preserve for the people Of on
Western States and Territories the timber need
cd for domestic and other essential uses.
The report of the Director of the Geologi
cal SURVEY il document Of unusual interest
The consolidation of the various geological
and geographical surveys and exploring en-
terprises, each of which has heretofore oper
ated upon an independent plan, without con
cert, cannot fail to be Of great benefit Il
all tho e industries of the country which de
pend upon tie development OF our min
eral resources. The iabors Of the scien
tific men, Of recognized merit, who com
pose the Corps OF the Geological Survey
during the first season Of their 1el'
operations and inquiries, appear to hav
been ve-y comprehensive and will soo
be communicated to Congress in q number O
volumes. The Director Of the Survey recon-
mends that the Investigations carried on by hi
bureau. which. 30 far, have been confined +
the so-called publc-Iand States ana Terri
tories, be extended over the entire country, ant
that the necessary appropriation be made TO
this purpose. This would be particularly bene
ests of the Mississippi valley, and of the Bast
ern and Southern States. The subject is com
mended to the careful consideration Of Con
gress.
The Secretary Of the Interior asks attention
to the want of room in the public buildings o
} the capital, now existing and in progress o
construction, for the accommodation Of tn
! clerical force employed, and of the publ
records. Necessity has compelled the rentin
OF private buildings in different parts of tn
city for the location of public offices, for whic
large amount of rent is annually paid, Will
the separation of offices belonging to tn
same departments impedes the transac
ton of current business. The Secre
tary suggests that the blocks surround
ing Lafayette Square. on the east, north, an
west, be purchased as the sites for new edices
for the ace ommodation Of the Government OF
fees leaving the square itself intact and that
If such buildings were constructed upon har
monious plan of architecture, they would nd
much TO the beauty Of the national capital, an
would. together with the treasury and the ne,
State, Maya War Department building, forr
one OF the most imposing groups of public ed
fees in the world
The Commissioner OF Agriculture expresse
the confident belief that his efforts in behalf Q
, the production OF our sugar and tea hav
been encouraginsly rewarded. The inportanc
of the results attained have attracted marke
, attention ut home, and have received the specis
,Jar f,f