National Republican., 1883-06-12
CATTLE FOR INDIANS.

What Secretary Teller Intends to DO
Toward supplying the Red Men With
stock,
Col. p. b. Hunt, agent of the Comancho
and Kiowa Indians, of Indian territory, in
his last annual report to the secretary of the
interior urged the Importance of raising funds
with which TO purchase cattle for his Indians,
with view to making them self supporting
The treaty with these Indians has about
twelve years to run. Col. Hunts proposition
was to cut four or five years from this period
and appropriate that amount that would have
to be paid in those years under the treaty for
the purpose Of purchasing cattle for the In
dians.
The secretary Of the interior requested the
favorable action of congress upon Col. Hunts
recommendation, but his communication ON
the subject died in committee.
Secretary Teller, in conversation yesterday
with representative of The NATIONAL RE-
PUBLICAN, said: at is my intention to ex-
pend money in purchasing stock cattle for
the Indians whenever can. A compara-
lively small expenditure now will save the
government large amounts in the future"
"Where will you get money with which to
make these purchases ~ was asked
81 don't expect to get any large amounts,
but my purpose is to save every dollar l can
from the various appropriations for the In
dians and expend it for cattle. In some in
stances we have been able to persuade the
Indians that it will be to their benefit to have
cattle to herd and in order to make savings
with which to make the purchase their supply
of luxuries, such as sugar and tobacco, will be
decreased, OF course this is but beginning.
We cannot cut off any of their supply Of meat,
and should wo run short the equivalent of
what is expended for cattle would be availa-
BILE at any time, as we could turn the cattle
themselves into supplies"
When asked if the Indian reservations
were adapted to stock raising, the secretary
replied: "At least one-half of the Indian
reservations are better adapted to stock rails
ing than agriculture, and 1t is less difficult to
induce an Indian to engage in herdipg than
in agricultural pursuits If ten years ago
suitable provision had been made for furnish
ing herds at agencies especially adapted to
stock raising, the Indians at such agencies
would now be largely independent of govern
ment aid. At most agencies the Indians will
under the direction Of the agents take care OF
tho stock. When herds are provided for the
tribe, think it should be with the ultimate
purpose of distributing the same among the
Indians, as soon as they show proof of their
willingness and ability TO take care of the
stock. The possession of herds will not only
benefit the Indians by providing subsistence,
but will compel them to abandon their noma-
die habits"
As an illustration of the wisdom of thi:
policy, Secretary Teller referred TO the fol-
lowing statistics compiled from the records ol
| the department.
In 1869 the Naiajo Indians of, New Mexico
had about 1000 sheep and goats In Novem
ber of that year the government furnished
them with 14000 sheep and 1000 goats at /
cost of $4,000. The report of their agen
shows that this number has increased to 800,
600 sheep aud 100000 goats, In 1881 the agen
reported the wool clip at 100000 pounds
and that 100000 pounds had been manutac
tured into blankets. These Indians, mum
bering 10000, by means Of this small outlay
in thirteen years have become self support
ing, the total appropriation for their subsis
tence for the fiscal year 1883 being only 5000
From 1870 to 1882 inclusive, tho tota
appropriation for their support wa
| Sl,279,445, or an annual appropria
tion of over $4,000. During the year
1870, 1871, and 1872 the appropriations TO
their subsistence amouted to total of $3.50,
375. During the years 1881, 1882, and lss
the appropriations for like purposes amoupte'