The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-12-02
Last NIGHTS Dispatches.
WASHINGTON.
Secretary Echurz's Report.

The debt statement issued to day
shows the decrease of the public debl
during November to be $1,000 pol; cash
in treasury, s2l .092 ,673 AZ; gold eertif
Gates outstanding, $7.40C, 900; silver
certificates outstanding, $35,077, ,280;
certificates Of deposit outstanding, SIS, 525,-
| 900; refunding certificates, $943. $50;
legal tenders outstanding, 1916 68l .0l6;
fractional currency outstanding. $7,l63. =
207; United States bonds of 1880 outstand
ing, $ll, ,245,0C0.
The payments made from the treasury
| by warrants during November were as
| follows: Ga account of civil service and
miscellaneous, $5l, ,002. .298: war, $4.024,-
597; navy. $l,677. .473: interior (lndiap)
$679.7l3; pensions, $42.756; total, SIS,
800. 229. The above does not include pay
ment made on account of the interest on
the public debt.
The Secretary of the Treasury is now
paving 10267 for skies of the sinking
fund. 1t was incorrectly reported to day
that Fisk & Hatch had the government
Sc ,000 900 OF SKIES at 1929
The last annual report of the Secretary
of the interior gives a review not only of
the operations of the last year. but of the
four years Of his administration The
larger part of the report was devoted to
upon this subject the Secretary gives an
explanation of the important change which
has taken place with regard to the reser-
vation system. lie says, although at first
accepting as he found it the reservation
policy which had so long been followed by
the Indian Office, more extensive obseIva-
ton and study Of the matter gradually
convinced him that this was a mistaken
policy; that it would be better for the
Indians and more in accordance with
justice, as wsll as a wise expediency. to
respect their home attachment, to
leave them upon the lands they occu-
pied, provided such lands were cap
able of yielding them substance by
agriculture or pastoral pursuits,
and to begin and follow up
the practice OF introducing among
them habits and occupation of civilized
view of the fact also that the maintenance
of system of large reservations. against
the presence Of white immigration and
settlement, would in the course of time
become iupracticah.e, a differeet policy
has been followed, having for its object
the settlement ot the Indians upon lands
in severaity, the disposal for their benefit
of their lands not required for this pur~
pose, and gradually to prepare the way
for their final Incorporation into the
body polite as Independent and self re
lying men, invested with all tie rights
which other inhabitants of the country po
sess The results already accomplished
in pursuance of this policy and the promis-
ing outlook in the same direction, are de-
scribed in general terms and illustrated by
specific accounts of the progress made by
individual tribes. The Secretary does not
make recommendations of Importance in
regard to land grant railroads. but re-
capitulates their last annual report and
states as result of the investigation made
by the government auditor that their prop
ertY is In good condition. and the earnings
largely increased although rates both for
freight and passengers have been Ereduced
1t is believed that there will be with tho
filing up of the country west of the
Missouri, reuumerative business enough
for each one OF them.
Daring the present administration the
agricultural labor Indians have been more
than doubled in quantity and value. The
figures show that the civilized and IN
civilized tribes together cultivated last
year 4S2.738 acres of land, or about II
acres of land to each man, woman
and child. Upon an estimate that the
total Indian population OF the country is
$50 600, Secretary SchurZ expresses the
firm belief that the agricultural industry
OF the Indians would be greatly stimulat- |
ed ard its product much increased II
assurance were given to them that they
will be secure in the possession OF their
lands. The Secretary, In the subsequent
part of the report calls especial atteneion
to the bill already submitted by
him to Congress, which provides for a |
division of farm tracts among the indians
in.severaity on their respective reservations
the issuance of plants to them individual
iy, and this investment, with fee simple
title to their farms, and hopes it will
receive the early consideration of Congress
The Secretary continues: l desire also to
call attention once more to the bill repeat
edly introduced In Congress extending over
the Indian reservations the jurisdiction OF
the coasts of states or territories ia which
such reservations are located. giving the
Indians standing ia such courts and secur-
ing ITO them the full benefit of laws.
venture to express the hope that Congress
may not adjourn again without having
taken action upon these important meas
ures. SO essential to the progress and
security of our Indian wards CONTINUING
his account OF the cIvilizing agencies
employed by the present administration,
the secretary mentions. next to agricultur-
al pursuits. the Introduction of treighting
and mechanical pursuits among he indians
He says that last years experiment of
employing Indians as ireishters, with
their own ponies, has proved to be one .;
the most oene fcient innovations even made
In Indian management Neatly 2U00
freight wagons nave been in use by the
Indians this year, with the res nit Of saving
considerable money 10 the governuent
compared with The amounts formerly paid
FOR the sage transportation Of supplies,
etc.. 10 The agencies, besides furnishing
civiliziDg and welcome employs ment to a
large number OF otherwise restless Indians.
The number of Indian youths learning
trades Ia the Workshops at aeeEces has
increased from l65 Ia. autnoa 70 359
this year The policy OF eu. pIaying Iadi
ans rs worktnen and even as foremen and
m machinists at the agencies has been CON
tinuel and extended with great success.
Briekmaking has been begun. Houses
for Indians are now almost exclusively
built By Indians themselves. The apt
tude shown by Indians for mechanical
work has IN many cases been surprising
and is considered deserving of every
nossibIe cncouragemeDts Expression of
anxious desre on the pAGt OF the Indians
belonging to the SO called wild trites to
| bava their children instructed in the ways
of civilized lie. have. il is stated, grown
so numerous and urgent that the inadi-