Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-01-25
sELF-sUPPoRTING REDSKINS.
A PLAN THAT SHOULD RECEIVE A TRIAL, AT
ANY RATE.

WASHINGTON, January PA plan has
been proposed by one of the Indian agents
in the Indian Territory, by which he thinks
that the redskins mentioned can be made
self-supporting at the end of ten years. He
believes also that the Indians throughout the
country can be self-supporting in the same
manner. By treaty made with the Kiowa,
Comanche and Apache tribes in 1858, they
were 10 receive annually, for term of thirty
years, the sum of about $52,700. Fifteen
years remain before the treaty expires, and
then the Indians will be thrown on their
own resources. The plan suggests that Con.
gress be asked to appropriate, with the con-
sent of the Indians, the last five years OF the
annuity fund under this treaty, which will
aggregate about S263, 900, and that this sum
be Immediately invested in breeding cattle,
to be held in trust for the Indians; that is,
the cattle to remain under the control
of the Indian Department. Some COM
petent man is to be placed in charge
of them, with their increase, until the
end OF ten years, when the Indians, having
consented to the treaty terminating at that
time, the cattle, including their produce, can
be turned over to them. At the end OF ten
years the three tribes will be placed in pos
session of 100000 cattle, with a range of 81
100000 acres of most excellent grass land.
These cattle, on such range, with their
natural increase thereafter, will amply pro-
vide for every other necessity for all time to
come. The agent also says that many In
dams are already engaged in tilling the soil.
Most of their farms have been opened in the
last i've years, and it is reasonable 10 sup
pose that hereafter their progress in this
particular will be much more rapid. There
are very few who do not desire houses and
lands to cultivate, and now that there is
dian0aitINn IN aid thop, in oofo To in
ten years all of them will have houses and
| felds, for which they will feel all the attach
mepts of home, and by that lime will have
surrounded themselves with all the at
tachments of civilized life, and having ac-
CURED habits OF greater economy and a
spirit OF accumulation, the importance of
| which is only beginning to be seen by them,
they will then carefully husband their re-
| sources. Aside from the treaty stipulation
above named, the government sppropriates
annually 100000 for the Kiowas, Apaches
and Comanches. By the plan proposed
| the government would have this annual ap-
preparation. These three tribes of Indians
are what are known as the blanket redskins,
| and are among the mildest of the Indian
tribes. II the plan Of making them herders
works we'll, it is thought the same plan may
| be used with all tribes. The money appro-
priated for the annuity fund would purchase
1875 cows. By selling of three-year-old
steers and reinvesting, and by natural in
| crease, there would be, the agent says, at
the end of ten years herd of 100000 cattle.
That would give 135 10 each Indian, and,
allowing three persons to family, would
give a family over 400 head. The Com
missioner of Indian Affairs favors the plan,
though he believes it impracticable to
make SO large an appropriation at this
| time. About $1,000 Of this annuity fund
for the three Indian tribes is used for school
purposes, leaving about $4,000. The CON-
missioner advises that this sum be appropri-
ated by this Congress for two years, and that
the money be expended in purchasing csttle
for the Indians. Secretary Teller favors the
plan Of making the Indians serve as herders
aud believes that this would be the solution
of the problem of making the redskin self.
Supporting. congressman on the COMMITTEES
on Indian Affairs also believe the plan q
practicable one.
PORTER AND THOMAS.