Morning journal and courier., 1880-11-22
News by Telegraph FROM ALL QUARTERS. PROGRESSIVE INDIANS. RAPID STRIDES IN THE ARTS OF
 CIVILIZATION.
 Successful Pursuit of Farming. A Great Demand for Agrf- cultural Implements. AGOLD SNAP AT ROCHESTER. Vessels Frozen im Om Lake
 Erie.
A GOLD SNAP AT ROCHESTER.
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.

!
 The Nations Wnrds-Their Progress in the Arts of CivfIizatfon-Interesti Points ina the Commissioners Report. WASHINGTON, Nov. 21.-The acting Com missioner of Indian Affairs has submitted his annual report to the Secretary of the Inte- rior. The following synopsis includes the points of interest The Commissioner says The progress made in the arts of industry by the various Indian tribes during the past year has been gradual, and in some instances the advancement towards civilization marked The efforts of number of the tribes in culti- vating the soil have been attended with de- gree of success that has set at rest the oueg- tion not only of their ability to learn the arts of husbandry, but also of their willing ness to engage in pursuits at once honorable and lucrative which at no distant day will make them self-supporting and place them beyond the care of the government. The de- mands upon the office for implements, tools, etc., with which to perform manual labor come from the Indians at large majority of the agencies, and are far beyond the means at the disposal of the department for that purpose. Many cases could be cited where it has been necessary to deny the re- quests made for funds to supply the wants of the Indians in this respect, simply because of the inadequate appropriations provided for the purpose. In some cases the office has been unable to supplement the facilities al- ready but insuficiently provided for farming, and what had been &C., complished in such instances has bacoroo cf IittIa or m ava;& baoouua of n 1ooI, of means to continue the progress of work thus imperfectly begun. The education of Indian youth is a subject whose importance cannot be overestimated. The progess dur ing the past year has not been commensurate with the desires of the office, principally be- cause of the insuffciency of the funds ap- propriated for the purpose. While the sum provided by Congress for the education of Indian children seems 8 large one, yet it is hardly sufficient to continue the work already begun and is insufficient to per init of any extended increase in educational facilities and wholly inadequate to meet in- creasing demands of the service The past year has been eminently peaceful amongst the Indian tribes, except the, incursions of Victoria and his band into Arizona and New Mexico, and the semi-hostile attitude of Sit
 
 trouble has been experienced in the Indian country The number of Indians in the United States exclusive of Alaska is 255, 93S. These are distributed among the sixty-eight agencies at present established in the States and Territories. Those not under the con- tro1 of agents of the government number IT, 667. It is urged that $15O, 900 be appropri- ated for school purposes In compliance with appeals from neglected agencies the office has made arrangements for erecting eleven boarding school buildings during the coming season and for the establishment of thirteen new boarding schools. At no more than fifteen of the sixty-six agencies can the government be said to have made adequate provision for the education of the children of the tribes be- longing thereto, and at very few of the re- maining fifty-one agencies will the schools, both boarding and day, accommodate over fifty per cent. of the school population. The extent that Indian children were taken to and held at Hampton and Carlisle against the wishes of their parents was wholly unfound- ed. The policy of employing Indian police is maintained and an increase of pay is rec commended. The experiment of entrusting wild Indians with the transportation of their own supplies and annuity goods from the railroad to the agency has worked admirably, and the success of the enterprise has made it a permanent feature in the policy of Indian civilization.
 Legislationis recommended on various sub- jects, the most important being the proven tion of po1ygamy and the amendment of the law in relation to trespassers on the Indian reservation and securing uniform and per feet title to their lands The condition of the Mission Indians of California is yearly becom- ing more deplorable, and attention is called to the recommendations embodied in last years report.
 In many instances the land occupied by them has been conformed to parties claiming title under the old Mexican grants. It is urged that Congress make suitable provision for these tribes by setting apart reservation which is all that they ask for. Attention is called to the result of the negotiations be- tween the Ute Indians and the commission appointed to secure an agreement for chang ing the location of these tribes, but in conse- quence of delay in the passage of the act and the consequent lateness of the season when the agreement was ratified little could be done towards locating the Utes in the locali- ties designed for them and operations in this direction have been suspended till spring.
 The murder of Johnson, the son of Chief Savanaux, is recounted and the statement, of Major Ofiey, together with the evidence of the agent are quoted at length sustaining the position assumed by the department in regard to the matter. The condition of the various tribes of Sioux is regarded as having decidedly improved during the past year, and the readiness with which they adopt the habits and customs of civilization is regarded as definitely settling the question of their future.