Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1885-12-19

j Opeus VIII du clhOOIoV0 TcVioW Va y
affairs, reference being had particularly to the
report of the commissioner of the Indian bureau
with it's accompanying documents.
The secretary recommends that the rebellious
Apaches be transported from the scenes Of their
depredations in Arizona to some distant location
IN Indian territory. TO the military prison q
Lsavenworth or to an a1 Island o. in the 1 Pacific ocean
thinks the Utes also ought to be removed toA
reservation in Indian territory: He also thinks
relieved by legislation in some way from the
taxation TO which a decision OF the United
States supreme court subjects them: The re-
port also mentions the fact that five Indian
inspectors ALLOWED by ! " have had to be- with
from active duty because of. the insult
cheney Of the appropriation for their expenses,
and urges that congress should provide RUpler
means.
ON THH TOPIC OF EDUCATION
the report shows that there are 200 Indian
schools in operation, besides several OF higher
grade in process of construction. These schools
have a capacity for 1888 pupils, an average at
tendance of S,0iq, and cost $685., 216.02. 1t is as
serted that marked progress mas been made in
Indian ,education, and recommends that this
policy he followed 10y the government with in
creased energy and liberality. This recommend
alton is made on the great influence welded by
these schools for civiliz,ng Indian youth.
Secretary Lamar reviews at great length the
subject o.
LEASES OF INDIAN LANDS.
The policy Of allowing the Indians to lease
lands Tor grazing purposes, he says, was not an
nounced until April 20, 1888. it however APP
Cheyenne and Arapahoe Indians had entered
into such agreements with seven individuals for
the exclusive use and occupation of as many dis
tinct tracts OF .thcir reservation. The whole
quantity of land embraced within these seven
leases amounted TO 3,li7,s3O acres, out OF a total
area of 5.291,f7l acres. A subsequent lease or
ia, 30 acres reduced the reserved area of their
reservation to 465, 65l acres. The secretary found,
he says, upon assuming charge OF the depart
non Tint NOT only thu lurpa traetS of thA
Cheyenne and Arapahoe reservation referred to
were in the possession OF cattlemen. but that
other Indian tribes located within Indian
territory had entered into similar arrangements
with individuals and associations OF individuals,
whereby they were granted the exclusive priyi-
lege, under pretended leases, to occupy largo
tracts of the reservations OF the various tribes
and TO hold their herds thereon FOR grazing pur-
poses.
These alleged leases wore made to cover
periods OF i've or ten years. at yearly rentals
varying in rates from Is cents to . cents per
acre. Tho ruling rate appears, however. to be
about = cents per acre. The privilege of occu-
pying these lands for grazing purposes was not
opened 10 public competition On the contrary.
pretended leases were secured in some cases
from the Indians. before the policy of the de-
psrtment on tho subject appears To have been
considered or made public, No regulations were
made 10y the department to guide the Indians,
and no steps appear TO have been taken to afford
them needed assistance in such an important
matter.
oS'AiAb VIZ IL AAhR' Wv 49,.
some of them being paid for inducing the In
dians TO consent 20 leases. :
The secretary then proceeds to recount the
history which resulted in
ORDERING THE CATTLE REMOVED
from one OF the small reservations in Indian ter.
ritory. the Cheyenne and Arapdho reservation.
These Indians, ne says, became turbulent and
dissatisfied with the Cattlempn and threatened to
precipitate hostilities. Inspector Armstrong aud
Lieut.-Gen: sherman were sent 10 investigate the
mint fAP and tIHy TDhnrtAI thAt III tha T.
were removed there was immediate danger or
serious outbreak, u danger creating the hvellest
pos d thereto. ".iGd il not been that delay was
dangerous says the secretary, and postpone
ment OF action would have been at tie risk OF
much destruction of life and propesty hy Indian
hostilitles, the prospects of whicl had greatly
alarmed tho people of Kansas anu other parts or
the country, ! should have preferred TO nave re-
Trained from any action looking 20 q determina-
tion Of the question OF the Legality OF these
leases. or disturbing tho status OF the matter as
il existed when l assumed charge of this depart
ment. until the senate committee could make its
report and action be- had thereon 10y congress-"
The i~sal question having been ubmiited to
tho Encouragement anu he having decided
INDIAN TRIBES CANNOT LEASE THEIR RES
ERvATIoNs
without the authority OF some law Of the United
States, the president ordered tGA cattle on the
Cheyenne and Arauahoe reservation % be re.
moved and the secretary Of the ~iIterior reports
the reservation now To he entirely frvn from cat
tlemrn and tleir harcs." Concluding on this
SUBJ 'rt tGc .~cFctary lays:
'lHe question as - what is the best and wisest
course 10 pUIsg" @gtlai.y3 10 these surplns lands
~ the Indian reservations not re-
noted for the pres rt vents OF
,.id ser, us coDsjd riol. Si.Il ir'A he left I'M
"mployed and unpguhtaole; o. saaA t1ey be uti-
h2d and made, - q measure N least, TO produce
some egenue towards the s.. pot OK the In
diars?
.If il shall be determined that T tho present
IL is for IL" interest OF the indians lat the reser-
vatious Shall be held intact, that the land should
be utilized for glaZing purposes, and that white
men, with their herds of cattle, shall ba permit
ted Ia occupy large tracts OF these T. servat ons, .
law suUuld ~ enacted for that purpose, clear and
crmpreh tu-iye, fully defining the powers and du-
tics OF this q ualtlneIt in the matter. If, how
ever, i sinai b. decided that the welfare OF the
Indians rs Vol rs the public interests viii best
b. served b. opening the surplus lands OF these
reseryatiooe 20 public settlement, it shonld be
done IN god faith under the general land laws
OF the United states.
IF the cattlemen are to be permitted to GO
upon thess reservations, and to hold and pasture
their herds thereon, the business should be done
under proper regulations and in such manner as
To secure d fair and just compensation for the
privilege. The money paid therefor should be
handled by the officers Of the government, and
used for the support of The Indians and their ad-
vancement III %cigiliZat With my convictions
l cannot recommend NJ. legislation. 1t is in
Indian reservations fire, ON the settlements Of
white men policy WI in my opinion, should
be more rigidly enforc
The secretary puts tho
POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT TOWARDS THR
NDIAN
in a strong light by showing the value of the
permanent estate provided tor them. He says:
Estimating the total area of their reservations
"a given az 81 per acre, the value of the estate
"~ned, held and occupied by the Indians is, in
- nd numbers, SiSi0Ol,OoO. And to this should
be added other invested and uninvested funds
amounting to Sl7,t0l,0O, and other lands on the
market bur not yet sold or paid for. making q
total OF Sl52,0O0,oO in round numbers, This
/ does not include tho annuities. which, ON ac-
count Of the uncertainty and indetiniteness OF
some of them, c1nnot be accurately calculated
beyond each year; nor does it embrace the value
of other property in ponies, sheep, cattle indus
trial implements, etc.
Here, then, is the Indian service, IA seen in tho
working of the Judian office. 1t certainly shows
a great expenditure OF money, effort. political
what is required this expensive equipment OF .
great department OF the government, with the
constant vigilance and occasional active assist
ance of the military establishments
There IL but one answer. Ii 10 Tor the con-
troll, protection and management of q population
OF only ail,Uf, including men, women and chill
drer-less than Tie population of the city OF Bal
timore."
The object OF all this provision. he continues.
il the civilization of the Indians. As further
aids To that end he recommends the reduction OF
the size OF the reservations and the allotment OF
n portion of each 10 be held in severalty. fis
holds that no absolute rule can be laid down for
all tribes, but believes that the tribal relati n
ought 10 be broken down rs far us possible. lie
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