Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1885-12-11
THE INTERIOR DE ARTMENT.

Il The report OF the secretary Of the interior
was given to the press this evening. The
statistical portions OF the report haye been
covered III previous dispatches but more
than the usual interest IL manifested III what
Secretary Lamar would say on the Indian,
the public land, the pension and kindred
questions After summarizing the reports
as to the condition OF the several
Indian tribes. the secretary takes UP the
question of Indian schools There arc now
eiehty-six day schools, with an average at
tendance Of l,849; eighty four boarding
schools, with an average attendance OF
4,O66; seven industliai and training schools
with 1926 pupils; and twenty-three con
tract schools, with TOO pupils. The amount
Of cost of all tho schools Is 1907 ,276. Tn
the general policy Of educating the Indians
and Oh other questions relating to the wei
fare of the Indians. the report says: tS Re IN
r The schools established BY the Indians in the
territories OF the five civilized tribes AFFORD con-
elusive proof of their capacity to educate their
children up to the requirements OF an advanced
inaries for pupils ot the higher Lrnde, where
they receive a liberal academic course OF
instruction. and common school system In
which the children are taught the radi'nenss Of
the English course. Many Of the teachers are
Indians some OF whom are graduates of our
best colleges, The Summaries are all boarding
arrangements for the purpose. The children
live i'll them, and are trained in domestic duties
and taught the habits Of civilized people. The
parents TO have their children educated in dis
trct schools in their fear that they will b.
made to perform mental labor for white
II their children were to be educated among the
people Of q kindred race, where no feeling OF
cas- c would depress them or excite their race
aversions. The tnstitutiouof the system in the
Indian Territory would bring the Wild Indians
ints friendly contact with those who are civil
lied. and would induce them to accept the
flied tribes.
The SECRETARY RECOMMENDS.
therefore recommend that authority be given
under which the proper department, to be tlcs-
ignated by congress, can arrange with any OF
the Ave civilized tribes for the education OF the
Indians OF tie Western reservation in the Indian
country. and that a sum Of money be nppropri.
Tie poliey q 3. sllow!as he 1a ads '''t %
seem to have been announced until April 25
1888. Il, however. appears that as early AS Jan
g. 1883, the Cheyenne and Arapahoe In dians
had entercdsingO such agreements with seven In
dividuals rthe exclusive use and occupation
OF as many distinct tracts in the reservation
found upon assuming charge Of this depart.
referred to were ia the posses posses.
sion Of tn; the. eattlemen but shat
Territory. had entered into similar arTan gements
with individuals and associations Of indiyidnals
whereby they were .srs4 granted the exclusive
cupy larue tracts OF the reservation q OF
the various tribes, and to hold then
herds herds; thereon 1 for grazing purposes. These
Of five or ten years at yearly rentals varying in
rates from g to 8 conls per acre. The ruling
rate appears, however to be above two cents pei
acre. From all the facts developed on the sub
ject, am convinced that the assistance rem,
dered by che respective Indian agents in the
making Of those alleged lease were directed more
for the interest Of the cattlemen, than that
Of the indians placed under their care and
shared IN the profits Of these speculative trans
out warrant OF law, and as their existence upon
the Cheyenne and Apache reservation had
the e complaints Of quo these Indians ians' tho
president, after full considerat1on OF the
matter, declared them void and no effect, and
determined that all unauthorized persons upon
that reservation. including the cattlemen, with
their herds Of cattle, should remove therefrorn.
and he accordingly issued his proclamation on
satisfaction to state that the reservation is en-
tirely free trora cattlemen and their herds.
THE BEST AND W1sEsT COURSE.
The question az to what is the best and wisest
course to pursue relative to these surplus lands
in the Indian reservation not required for the
present wants Of the Indians is one demanding
careful And serious consideration. Ir it shall be
determined that for the present 1t is for the
interest of tho Indians that the reservations
shall pe held intact, that the land should be used
for grazing purposes, and that white men with
their herds Of cattle shall be permitted to occupy
large trkets of these reservations, q law should
be enacted for that purpose, clear and compre-
hensive, fully defining the power and duties OF
this department in the matter; II, however II
shall be decided that the welfare of the Indians,
as well az ths public interests will beat be s,rved
by opening the surplus lands Of these reserya.
ttons to public settlement. it should be-
done In good faith under the general land laws
Of the United States. With my CONVICTIONS.
not recommend SNch la0iaatjnn r. i,,
direct con traventon OF the policy OF keeping the
Indian reservations free from the settlements OF
shoad Ss ne po9 in my
secretary estimates that the Indian service
has cost the government an average Of $3.50
time # now COSTS 70 p sne annwm
All the expenditures Of money, effort ard organ
lzatlon is tor the control protection anu man
TSe aneston f Is tS S5sp
hay hsye ot RSs = been a.,o1 long 80 snoSsh T.
acquainted with the characteristics, customs
habits and wants of the Indians as to feel my
sell competent to propose any general plan.
FOR SOLID FOUNDATION.
ihe'e are, however. some measures, which ]
think are necessary to lay q solid foundation for
ton Of avefx s d t1a p
so ssRa'ss 'taS' a G sf''s sc t sss
individual as his sole and separ ate estate. Pro.
vision shall be made against the power (untt
nter time limited of selling or mortgagina
The same, or even leasing it to any but Indians
hvins within the same reservation. favor the
office, Secretary Kirkwood, Of reducing to prope,
Fize the existing reservations, when erltir ely out
eiaU 70 the nnmea s o. inan
and upon just and fair tern,s;s apd. second. Of
placing by patent the titles TO these diminished
as fully under tue projection Of the
Their lands. The surplus portion cut of would