St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-11-28

govern mcnt on Its own notion and not at
the request OF the Indians. 1t Is true that
the debt is due to dependent and weak peo-
pie who have but little disposition
TO complain Of the neglect Of the
government to fulhl its obligation,
and are wanting in ability to compel the
performance thereof; yet their very weak
ness and lack OF disposition to complain
ought to stimulate the government TO sa-
eredly perform all the provisions OF treaties
proVijing for the education and advance.
ment OF these people. Not only direct re-
gard Tor our plighted faith damauds this, but
our interest also demands il.
IA my last annual report called attention
:" Tue various treaties providing for the edu-
cation OF Indian children. / submitted a
statement Of the sums required to fulfill such
treaHes. 1t appears that there was due at
.he close OF the fiscal wear 1884 the sum of
20 '29'4oO. again submit the statement
showing the amount due at the close of the
fiscal year 1885, to be 81. O33. 700
CASH ASNUITIEs TO INDIANS.
In my last report l called attention to the
practice Of paying to the Indians cash as in
terest on the funds held in trust bv the COW
ernment. In some instances the Indians
are capable OF receiving and expanding such
sums OF money in iudicious wav. but in
most cases the money so paid TO them Il
wasted and often worse than wasted Snch
payments should be made in stock an, oattIo
agricultural implements, or by the erection
OF suitable dwelling houses for those willing
to occupy aud live in such houses When
ever the Indian Is capable OF caring for this
money due him, 1t SHOULD be paid to him in
casA; but he will never care for it properly
unul be has been taught TO labor aud has
learned the value Of money by earning it.
INDIAN HoMEsTEADs.
The Indian appropriation act for the cur
rent year contains provision allowing the
Indians to avail themselves of the homestead
law, and approprstes 81, 600 to aid the In
dians in making selections of such home
stsAds The provision is but temporary and
should be made permanent. Much COM
plant has been made on behalf cf the In
ulans, especially in California, that uuscrup-
uiouS white men have pre-empted lands in
the occupation OF Indians aud in some cases
where the lands were occupied for Indian
village farms before the cession of California
To the United States. In order to save TO
these Indians the lands in their actual poses
sion, ordered the commissioner OF the gen
eral and Office TO refuse to receive filings ON
ANUS In the actual possession OF Indians.
SURVEYING INDIAN RESERVATIONS.
The Indian appropriation act for the cur
rent year contained an appropriation of $780,
600 for the surveying into subdivisions of
Indian reservations. The amount is grossly
inadequate to the wants Of the department.
An appropriation Of like amount should be
made for the next fiscal year On this sub
Ject the com missioner saws:
The want of proper definition of reservation
boundaries has been for years and is still one OF
the most fruitful causes Of contention and disor-
der known 10 the department, and it Is hoped
that tie full amount of my estimate for surveys
Tor the ensuing fiscal year may be provided in
order that existing disputes may be speedily
settled, ana subdivision OF lands within the
reservations made, wherever required and
deemed advisable, for the settlement of the In
disns in individual homes.
THE GREAT SIOUX RESERVATION.
In my last report l called attention to the
magnitude Of this reservation, and urged
that 1t should be reduced by purchase Of
about $4,000 square miles, as proposed by
the commission appointed in 1882 A bill
reported from the committee on Indian af-
fairs for this purpose passed the senate and
Is now pending in the house Of representa-
tives. Hgain urge the necessity of action
In this matter both in the interest of the In
dams and whites.
CROW RESERVATION.
again call attention to this reservation.
Since my last report the Indians have been
located on the Big Horn. This reservation
is much larger than required for their sup
port The reservation is situated in the ter
ritory of Montana, and contains
1854 square miles, or 4,7l3,OOO
acres of land. At least 5000, 900 acres
might he disposed of leaving the Indians
sufficient agricultural lands 10 become self
supporting if they desire to become agricul-
turslists, aud a sufficient amount of grazing
lands should they prefer to become stock
raIsers. The LIB, 900 acres that would be
left would give nearly, if not quite, 600 acres
oil land To each individual member of their
tribes. The number of Crows has been es-
tmated at $500; bnt it is quite certain that
the number is much less, and probably not
over :, 500 or 5000. A portion Of the money
realized for such sale should be at once in
vested in herd for the tribes, and cared for
by the government until such time as the
Indians shall be prepared to accept and care
for their stock themselves. The proceeds
of the surplus lands, properly used, would
make the Crows self-supporting in a few
yerrs at the furthest.