The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-12-02

1
sustenance by agriculture or pastoral ptr
suits aud TO begin and follow up thl
practice yof Introducing among then
habits and occupations OF civilized life or
the ground they inhabited. In view o.
the fact also tlatthe maintenance OF the
system Of large reservations against the
pressure OF white immigration and
settlement would in course OF time be-
come impracticable, different policy
has been followed, having for its object
the settlement OF Indiana upon the
lands In their severalty, disposal for
their benefits OF their lands not required
for this purpose and gradually to prepare
way for their final Incorporation into q
body polite as independent and selt-re.
lying men, invested with all the rights
which the other inhabitants o.! the coun-
try .posseas.; The results already accom-.
plished in pursuance OF this policy and
the promising outlook in the same dl.
rection are described in general terms and
illustrated by specific accounts OF the pro.
gress made by individual Tribes. The
Secretary does not make any recommenda.
tions OF importance in regard to, the land
grant OF the railroads, but recapitulates
their last annual reports, and states as q
result OF an investigation made by the
Government Auditor that their. property
Is in good condition, that their earnings
have largely increased and that although
the rates for both freight and passengers
have been reduced 1t is believed that there
will be, with the filing up Of the country
west OF theMissouri, ,remunerative business
enough for each one OF them.
During the present administration the
agricultural labors OF the indians has
been more than doubled in quantity and
value. The figures show .that,the civil.
lied and unciyilized tribes together culti-
yated last year 4S2,73S acres Of land, or
about one and three.fourth acres to each
man, woman and child, upon an estimate
that the total Indian population OF the
country Is 10000. Secretary Schurz ex-
presses the Arm belief that the agricultural
industry Of the Indians would be greatly
stimulated and It's products much in.
creased II assurance were given to,them
that they will be secure in tie possession
OF their lands.
The Secretary in subsequent part Of
the report calls special attention to the
bill already submitted by him to Congress,
which provides for the division Of farm
tracks among the Indians in severalty on
their respective reservations, the issuance
OF patents to them Individually, and their
Investment with the fee simple title to
their farms, and hopes 1t will receive early
consideration.
The Secretary continues. desire also
to call attention once more 10 the bill re-
peatedly introduced in Congress, extend.
ing over Indian reservations jurisdic.
ton OF Courts OF States or territories, in
which such reservations are located, Civ.
ing Indians standing in such Courts and
securing to them the full benefit oil the
laws. / venture TO express hope that
Congress may not adjourn again without
having taken action upon these important
measures, so essential to the progress and
security Of our Indian waYds!-F t'F-- -
Continuing his account OF the civilizing
agencies employed by, the present admins
stration the Secretary mentions (next to
agricultural pursuits) the introduction Of
ffeighting and mechanical pursuits among
the Indians. He says that last years ex-
pertinent OF employing Indians as freight
ers with their ponies has proved to be one
/ Of the most benefcent innovations ever
II mHub IL 4uulAu management NoALiy
2 600 freight wagons have been in use by
the Indians this year with the result oi
, saying considerable money 70 the govern
ment compared With the amohnts
formerly paid for the same Transports
ton OF supplies, etc., 10 the agencies,
besides furnishing civiliSing and vel.
come employment to large number oi
otherwise restless Indians. The number oi
4 Indian youth learning trades In workshops
at the agencies, has increased from 1855 last
autumn, to 35s this year. The policy oi
employing Indians as workmen, and even
"a foremen and maChinisls, lat the agenD
cies, has been continued and extended
| with great success. Brick making has been
IbeSun and houses for Indians are now
almost excluslyely built by the indiana
1 themselves. Theaptitude shown by the
Indians for mechanical work has
Ia many csses, been surprising, and
lis considered IS deserving Of avery
1 possible encouragement. Expressions oi
Ian anxious desire on the part OF the In.
ldians belonging 10 the so.oalled wild
Il tribes 10 have their children instructed In
the ways Of civilized life, have, 1t is stated
grown 90 numerous that the inadequacy
OF means placed at the disposal OF the De
nartment Tor this purpose has been par
/ ticuIarly painful. ThedeSire and purpose
| Of the Department Is TO largely increase
j Tie present small number Of indrstrta
boarding schools for the Indian youth, q
the day schools OF the agency do not with
! draw the pupils from the iL1uences Q
/. home surroundings sufficiently 70 taeili
tate . change infthsir hsbltsot daily lite
J Tho report next mentionB as apothe
. impor rtsnt eisilising agenCy, largely Intro
. duced under the present administration
I the organization Of apolice force consist
/. linQ OF Indians, which has been put Il
operation at forty agencies. The force nol
conslsts otil6e0 officers and e5S private
!, its bSneIltE hoGh % paans d maintair
4 ling good order am q moral influence upo
L line indiaR tIlhes amengWhom It has bee
!. established are set forth as worthy
], BpeciGfnotire. 80 7