The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-11-27
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

Special Correspondence to The Republican.
WASHINGTON. ID. c.. Nov. 25, 1880.
The annual report of Acting Com
missioner Marble of the Indiana
Bureau. is full of encouraging par
ticulars in regard to the wild and
half civilized under this tutelage of
the United States. They are making
steady advancement in industry and
education. OF 255, 1888 Indians, ex-
elusive OF those of Alaska, only $4,000
are now classed as "wiId' Indians.
There will remain sorpe 5000 of the
Old Five Nations c0nfedercy in New
York, and there are 10, 600 Chippeaws
in Michigan. Outside of the five
civilized tribes in tbs Indian Terri
tory, whe are now self supporting
and raise large crops and herds, the
agency Indians have ITO, S47 acres of
land in cultivation, of which 27,2S0
acres were broken up since the last
report. and they raised million and
half bushels of grain and vegeta-
bles, besides owning nearly d million
lead of sheap and cattle. Mr.. Marble
says that the Indians ask to have
land given to them in severalty with
great urgency, and he recommends
that Congress pass the necessary laws
to that end. He also recommends
the suppression of polOgamy, the
legaliZjng of Indian marriages and a
criminal code suitable to the condi-
ton of the Tribes. MI. Marble re
ports very encouraging progress in
education among the Indians. There
Were in operation during the year
some sixty boarding and 10 day
schools, Odating some 1000
pupils, while Congress has made no
provision for IL agencies, which have
$4,000 Indians in charge. The Indi-
ans are eager to learn and are learn
ing rapi!y, and every facility should
be afforded them in this direction, AS
there is 10 other way Of fitting them
for the citizenship which must sooner
or later be conferred upon them. The
report contains a great many inter
esting details of the manner in which
our Government seeks to repair the
wrongs which the Indians have suf-
ferc(Aat the hands of the WhiSes and
to make UP to them the loss OF a
continent.
The scheme to create our ex-Presi-
dents Senators for life, though COM
handing considerable public atten-
ton, does not appear to win enough
popular favor. Among every race of
people, in every form of Govern
ment, there is a clingiHg to old
established usageS and forms that
frewns upon any innovation upon
them. This feeling exhibites in she
matter of disposin@ of our idle ex-
Presidents. l think the popular
feeling against such radical changes
in our constitution will prevent any
steps being taken TO accomplish ii.
If the people of this country wish to
aiG our Elk. Executives in manner
which would require no sacrifice Of
dignity to accomplish, let Congress
increase the salary of the President,
to say one hundred thousand year,
or even more. This would require no
change III the Constitution, no exo
hausture by the public, and could be
accepted with honor by the occupant
OF the Presidential Chair. Surely
we pay eur President little enough
compared with the salaries OF some
officers III this country, but compared
with other great Nations, the CONS
parsttive pittance paid him Is dis
grace to the generosity of this peO-
pie. Can we in this matter realize
that Republics are truely ungrateful,
or are our people too intent upon self
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT to give thought to
the needs of the occupant of our
White House, to provide him the
wnerewith to live the rest Of his life
in digniiied secluSion.
LOGAN.