Morning journal and courier., 1883-10-27
NeWS Dy l0l0gTdpll
 FROM ALL QUARTERS. THE NATIONS WARDS. A Solution of the Indian
 Problem.
 VIEWS OF TIE COMMISSIONER, His Plan For improving . tho Red Man. TIE LAST OF TAE CONFERENCE. Closing Hours of the Epis-
 c0pal Convention.
 
VIEWS OF TIE COMMISSIONER.
TIE LAST OF TAE CONFERENCE.
Closing Hours of the EFfs.
 cOpal Convention.
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.

The IndIan Pr0bIeua-Suggestions Bear. 1ng Upon It's Solution Presented 1n Ghe Report of Indian Commissioners Price.
 WAsHNaroN, Oct. 26.-Hon. Hiram Price, commissioner of Indian affairs, today sub
 mitted his annual report to the Secretary of
 the Interior. He calls attention to the fact
 that the general condition of the Indians in
 1888 is in advance of the Indians of 1882. Among the things needed to secure success
 and efficiency in solving what is called the
 Indian problem he enumerates, first, an ap- propriation to survey the out boundaries of
 Indian reservations so that both Indians and white men may know their rights and where
 they have none. This will save not only much trouble and expense but many lives of
 both wbite men and Indians. Second, law for the punishment of the persons who furn-
 ish arms or ammunition to the Indians. No such law now exists. Third, more liberal appropriations for the Indian policy. Fourth, an appropriation of money sufficient to de- fray the expense of detecting and prosecuting persons who furnish intoxicating liquor to
 the Indians. The reports of his predecessors he says for the last thirty years agree with singular unanimity in reference to the trou-
 ble among the Indians growing out of the
 use of Intoxicating liquors and the fact has
 been admitted beyond controversy that it has
 been productive of more disease, crime and
 loss of life than all other causes combined. In this connection he asks that the law Rl- lowing officers to take whiskey into the In- dian country be repealed. He says no ardent spirits should be introduced into the country la- ,r>. permitted within 20 miles of an Indian reses.
 vation. He asks that the appropriation for
 the Indian service be made more in bulk and
 not cut up into 260 heads as it initiates against the efficiency of the service. Atten- ton is called to the fact that during the last
 four years $775, ,221 were paid claim agents
 by the Indians for collecting from the gov
 srnment money due the Indians. He de- neunces the practice in strong language, say
 ing: "H the government as guardian owes or
 holds in trust for the Indians money or prop
 Wty belonging to them the clesrest and plainest dictates of common sense and common hon. esty require that the ward should not be
 compelled to suffer loss to obtain what is justly due him" Mr. Price recommends that
 Congress confer both civil and criminal juris- dietion on the several States and territories over all Indian reservations within their re- spective limits (except where such property is expressly exempted by treaty or act of Congress) and give the Indians all the rights
 in the courts enjoyed by other persons. Dur lands in severalty were issued to the Indians
 of various tribes. He asks that the Indians be allowed to make homestead entries without payment of the fees now required. He regards the law for the pun ishment of intruders on Indian reservations as entirely inadequate. All that can at pres ent be done is to remove the intruder and if he reappears to bring a civil suit against him on the nature of an action of debt to recover the statutory penalty of $1 ,000. "I have yet to hear of 8 single instance" he adds, ''in which the penalty has been recov. cred. The result is expense to the govern ment for no purpose" During the year there has been paid to the Indians in cash about $200,0 of annuity payments proper, many of which will expire in the near future by limitation in the various treaties. The commissioner notes an encouraging increase in the attendance of
 Indian pupils at boarding and day schools during the past year, also encouraging re- ports from the Carlisle, Hampton and Forest Grove training schools. From the latter number of graduates were returned to their homes this year. The number of Indians in Alaska is placed at twenty thousand. On this subject the report says: eff the publish 0u Stabo1p6uG5 III reIer0nc9 IO AAasR6 D6 true we are doing much less for the civilization of
 these people than was done before we took possession of that country. The Russian government gave them laws, churches and schools, and the American government has done nothing in that direction" The commissioner reports the difficulties between the factions of the Creek nation as amicably adjusted. The In- diaus of Montana are reported to be in de- plorable condition, the game upon which they depended mainly for subsistence having
 become exhausted and the problem whether
 it is cheaper to feed or fight these Indians will, the commissioner says, be again tested.