Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1882-10-27

WAsHINaroS. October q.

WASHINGTON. October Il
Commissioner Price, of the Indian Bureau
has transmitted to the Secretary of the Interi
or his report for the fiscal year ended June 20
iS2- The Commissio says: Land hal
been opened to cultivation. houses for Indian
residences built, schools opened and operated
and in many cases and in various ways the
cause of civilization generally advanced. The
difficulty Of procuring agents of the right
stamp is regarded as one of the most i'm
portant causes which operate to retard the
Improvement of the Indians
The cooperation of the religious societies ID
regarded by the Commissioner as a very import
ant auxiliary in the civilization of the Indians
and he points to the benefits derived from
their work during the past few years. The
present appropriations are regarded as entire
ly too small to compass ends to Re obtained
within reasonable time. The Commas oner
says: If $l.00o.Oo0 for educational purposes
given now will save several millions in future.
tis wise economy to give that million at once,
and not dole 1t out in small sums that do little
eood-' The evils of cash annuifies are
commented upon, and an instance given
where, after a cash payment to the
Gtes, t2o0U were spent for firearms. ammu-
milton and whisky In Salt Lake City. and in a
short time nlne-tenths OF the payment went in
the same direction. The funds appropriated
by Congress in the regular appropriation bill
for the support of the Indians proved entirely
insufficient, mainly owing to the high price of
beef and Hour. The total number of Indians
In the United States, exclusive Of Alaska, ts
2j2,36
The Commissioner comments in severe
terms upon the iniquity Of the liquor traffic
among the Indians, and quotes many instances
OF trouble arising from it. He recommends
greater stringency In the laws On the subject,
and says those sections Of ths statutes which
allow army officers to Introduce liquor into the
Indian country should be repealed. The re-
port declares there Is urgent necessity for al
ditional legislation to prevent intrusion upon
Indian lands.
Exclusive Of tho i've Civilized tribes. the
whole number of Indian pupils attend ns
school the past year has been s,50s. or these
as were In attendance at the Carlisle. Hamp
ton and Forest Grove training-schools. OF the
remainder i,5i0 attended reservation board
ine-schools and a,9as reservation day-schools
The ave- age attendance for the year was 5,2ia
Industrial trimming for boys Is carried on at
agency hoardng-schools, and Is receiving more
and more attention each year. In connec
tion with fifty-seven schools, 1,i28 acres are
under cultivation. cksmifhing, tailoring
and harness-making are taueh ht at four schools
Seven teach shoe-making, ten carpenterina
and fifteen raising and care Of stock. Train
ing In these branches is greatly stimulated by
the success Of experiments ut Carlisle, Hamp
ton and Forest Grove. An appropriation OF
not less than $4,000 should be made by Con.
gross at It's next session to properly equio the
existing agency schools for industrial work.
The whole number Of schools In operation il
i0l, or five less than last year.