New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-12-03
PROGRESS OF INDIAN CIVILIZATION.
THEY SHOULD ABANDON TRIBAL BELArIoNs AM
TAKE LAND ~ FTVEEALTY.

WASuINGTON, Dec. 2.-GcGeIa j. ID, I.
Atkins Comuis oucr OF Indian Affairs, has submitted to
tn Secretary o, the Interior his annual report ior ID"
fiscal year ended June So 1883. The ComlniSSl' ner
pre.acc- bis report with the statement that 81" requires
seer TO fOrete fOresec the civilization OI the III
dian as u result naturally deducble from khoWl-
edge and practice upon their part OF the art OF agrca
ture; tie history OF agriculture among all people ana
in all intimately connects 1t with the highest
intellectual ard moral development Of mai"
lie continues "The increased interest IN agriculture
manifested since the opening Of last spring, and the
preparations several reservations for still larger IN
crease Of acreage in farming, among the hopeful
signs of Indian progress and Development THIS brings
me directly to the consideration OF the practical policy
which believe shoud be adopted by Congress and Tie
Government Ia the management OF the Indians II
should be inlustrously and grayo'y Impressed upon
them that they must abandon their tribal relations ana
take lands IN soyeralty. the corner stone OF their
complete success, IN agriculture, which means selIsup
port, personal Independence and material thrift. The
Government should however in Order 10 project them,
retain the right to then lands in trGst for twenty five
years longer but trust patents ut once to such
Indians as have taken Individual holdings.
When the Indians have taken their lands In sevcraty
in sufficient qumtites-and tue number OF acres IL each
holding may and should vary different localities, ac-
cordns fertility productiveness. climate, and other
advantage having due regard TO the Immediate
early fuare needs of the Indians. the remaining lands
Of their reservations should bo purchased by the Gov
eminent and opened to homestead entry at;5O or 20
cents Tie money paid by the Government Tor
their lands should be held IL trust IN or cent bonds to
be nye ted Congress may provide FOR the education,
civilization and material development ana advance OF
the red race rcscryius for tribe lis own money II
tbs policy adopted ~ Dramatically by the Govern
mcut would bc strange If in tive years from It's begin
ming and establishment there shOuld he an Indian OF any
tribe n the wLoe country WHO womb REFUSE 10 accept 80
fax AL Ia al Al lady 81 4 f.lirl "A Il
Every step taken, every move maze, every sntgcs-
lon offered cFcHt ihs done Win reference To u ~
dauS should DE with view Of iuprcSsiug upon them
that this Is the policy which has been permanently lie
cdcd upon 10y the Government IL reference 10 their man
agcmGit Tney mast abandon uIpa relations; they
must give up their suporatij Obs; they must fuiSnkc
their savage hanIts ana learn tie arts OF civilization:
they must learn labor aud must learn to their
families white people do, ana 10 know more o. their
obligations to the Government and to snccty. In a
word, they must learn 10 WORK for living, and they
must understand thit is their interest AMI duty 60 send
their children to school When the farm ana the school
have become familiar institutions among them ANA
reasonable time las INTERVIEWED for the transition from
barhari,m o. semi civ lzed state 10 one oI civilization,
tucn will tao Indian DC prepared 10 ta2e upon himself
the higher and more responsible duties and privileges
which all ertaln To American tlI]ch~lp' A.,
There IN the United states, exclusive Of Alaska,
ABOUT 100000 Indian souls or that uniuber mere are
In Now York. 1870; in North Carolina 3,iou. and there
are some III Dakota. Nebraska Kansas Wisconsin, and
who are civilized; and sim othcr- who can !ay some
have cast OF the blanket and a.e aion- TIE fashions
and dress of white PEOPLE. Ncal! hl "hO are called
Blanket Indians have never titled tue soil TO any cX-
tent ana fuly hat Oh the ludl"h7 {" 'r co Nl"l' :,
exclusive OF Alaska, ~ yet have declined u commit
themselves the lie of the farmer Exclusive ot tine
lahdS cultivated ny le NctEl"rd tII" s. ,-' HI'l
OF acres cultivation ty indian, during the present
year is 24s2Il, increase OF lSl1j acres over LAST
years figures
referring TO Indian police the commits lHucr says:
To great extent they have met ihc necessities az ts"
situation, and have proved valuable Aus 20 the Indian
d.tnt- pre- venting irc-pS-iu and .hc! hy u",t-
Whites and IA suppg-~slns disorder, violence. au ILL.,
cpcnt revolt AMONG tAe rrsflc-, oi i..ir o"u
u.oplc MANY instances OF surprising fidelity to thr trust
Imposed them, under cICslI-'.ur which Wu ld
>Werye many white man iron, s duty, m lat bc TO-
lated Of these Indian policemen