The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1882-02-03
THE AMERICAN INDIANS.
Secretary Kirkwood's Plan for Their Civ.
ilization.

"AsHiS6TON, Jhnu2ry l1.-lne Dill pre-
pared by Secretary Kirkwood for the i'm
provement of the condition Of unciviIized
Indians, which was submitted by the Presi-
dent to Congress, provides for the appoint
ment Of commission Of three members, to
be known as the Commission on Indian
Civilization, and for a secretary and inter-
prefers to the commission. The bill provides
that the commission, under direction Of the
Secretary of the Interior, shall visit such
tribes as the President may designate, and
authorizes them, after obtaining information
to enlighten their judgment and understand
ing in the premises, TO enter into an agree
ment with the Indians, with their free
consent, for a reduction of reservations, in
cases where the commission deem such re-
duction advisable. In such cases the bill
provides for surveying the boundaries of the
surveys over the same and over the ceded
lands, and also provides for the sale of the
ceded lands for cash. The expense of sur
veys and sale of lands are to be paid from
pioSCCdo Va buGu sdlCo, duu thC pdiahSC
is to be placed to the credit of the Indians.
The bill further provides for conveying the
diminished reserves by stent to the Indi-
ans, giving them permanent ownership,
except in cases Of allotment in severalty in
their tribal capacity. 1t provides for the
allotment of lands In severslty, and If 1t is
proved that an Indian has cultivated tract
of land of three located acres, it will be pat
ented to him, and the cost of improvements
to the amount of 500 in each case will be de-
frayed by the Government from the surren-
dered lands. The proceeds Of the sales of
surrendered lands are to be expended under
the direction Of the Secretary Of the Interior
in the erection of houses, the purchase of
harness, horses, cattle, farming implements,
ETC., and in school buildings, payment of
teachers, and for the subsistence Of school
teachers, when necessary.
The commission Is directed, in cases
where It Is not thought advisable to reduce
reservations, to enter into agreements for the
survey of the boundaries of reservations, 10
extend the publis surveys over them and to
convey allotments In severalty. The COM
mission is also authorized to negotiate for
the cession of entire reservations and the
removal of Indians to other reservations.
The surveys and the sales Of such reservs-
tions are to be made by the Government and
the moneys are to be expended for the benefit
of Indians on the reserves to which they
may be removed. Provision Is also made
for their allotment in severalty on their new
reserves.
The object of the bill, as explained by
Secretary Kirkwoed, is to eventually make
the Indians self-supporting, to give them q
title to their lsnds in severalty, and educate
and civilize them. Another feature of the
bill is to provide by treaty for paying Indi-
ans, within limited period after the passage
OF the sct, Or arUer ciIc sums si.aii pvoviao
payable, the principal of all trust funds
now held by the United States for the Indi-
ans: and still another freature is the gradual
reduction of the appropriation by Congress
for the support Of the Indians, until in
the near future as the Indians become
self-supporting, such appropriations shall
entirely cease. The bill, while aiming to
bring the Indians into q condition of self
support, carefully guards all their rights and
interests. 1t is in full accord with the Sec
retary's annual report and with the views OF
the President upon Indian affairs, as ex-
pressed In his message.