The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-12-10
Report Of the Interior Department.


PoPULArioN-LAND NEEDED FOR
THE CARLISLE sCHooL-THE
AREA OF LAND GRANTS.
Secretary Lamar, of the Interior De
partment, in report for the last fiscal
year, says: There has been a steady
though not rapid improvement in the
moral, material, and intellectual condi-
ton of the mass of the Indian popu-
lation during the past twelve months.
They are more tractable fewer crimes
and depredations are charged against
them more of them than at any prior
period are engaged in useful and profit
able industries more than ever before
are located upon individual allotments
of lands, ti'ling the soil and living in
houses. More have laid aside the
blanket for the dress of civilization.
The average attendance of children in
the schools is about 1000 greater than
heretofore, and many more of the par.
ents are anxious for the education of
their children.
The Cheyenne and Arapahoe Reser-
walton in the Indian Territory furnish
cs striking illustration of this improve
ment During the past year quiet and
order have prevailed upon the reserva-
ton. There has been an increase of
over 1000 acres in cultivation; farms
have been fenced by Indians, who have
built for this purpose 100 miles of
fencing. They have cut and put up
for winter use more than 400 tons of
hay: have hauled over 100000
pounds of freight from the railroad to
the agency and have over $50 more
of their children in schools. Nearly
all of the ''squaw men" on this reser-
vation have become legally married to
their Indian wives in conformity to the
requirements of this department.
There are other evidences of differ
ent character showing that the work
of Indian civilization is progressing
under the present management of the
Indian Bureau. The estimates present
ed for the Indian service for the en-
suing year are 1922, 1856 20 less than
those of last year. and $l,719,176 less
than those of the year previous
These things all considered show that
the work of elevating the race is bear
ing fruit. While the Indians on their
part are advancing, the Bureau is re-
firing by the reduction of its expendi-
lures.
The salaries allowed Indian agents
are too small to secure for such positions
men of the broad views and great abil-
ity required to lay before the Depart
ment the best and most economical
plans of procedure, to insure the sue
cessful advancement of the Indians. 1t
is believed that the saving, which would
result from the intelligent work Of
such commission would many times
exceed the amount required for its
maintenance.
The industrial school near Salem,
Greg, and the Carlisle school are both
in need of more land for the proper
training of Indian pupils in agricultur-
al industries. Congress was requested
at its last session, to authorize the pur-
chase of 8492 acres for the frst-named
school at the total cost of 1850, to be
paid in labor to be performed by the
Indian pupils attending said school,
and the grant of authority, with the
necessary appropriation, was also re-
quested for the purchase of 100 acres
adjoining Carlisle school, at cost OF
$4,000. These measures received the
sanction of the Senate, but failed to
become laws. The above named
schools are doing good work, and I
hope that Congress will not withhold
from them the means necessary for
training the Indian children in farming
industries, which, of all others, are
best suited to their persent circumstan-
ces.
The farming operations among the
Indians have increased in extent dur
ing the year, but season of drought
especially in the Northwest, has not
only limited the yield but greatly dis
couraged many of the Indians who
have realized very little from their
farming endeavors. Another cause
for encouragement in their farming
operations is the difficulty which they
have in finding convenient markets for
the produce raised by them. There is
little if any demand on their reserva-
tions for any surplus grain and other
products of the soil the result of their
labor. They cannot be easily induced
to engage in industrial pursuits unless
their labor is made remuuerative
During the fiscal years 1885 and 1886
the indians, mainly the White Mount
ain band, located near Fort Apache, on
the White Mountain Reservation, in
Arizona, raised and sold to the Quart
ermaster's Department, 127,710 pounds
of corn, 7i,325 pounds barley, and l.
48l ,991 pounds hay, from which they
realized 500. 1896,
The area of public lands disposed of
during the last fiscal year aud the re-
ceipts from the report of the Commiss-
ioner of the General Land Office foots
up to 23,326, ,099.S5 acres. Not includ-
ed in the foregoing are 2,663, ,53l, S3
acres of final homestead entries, and
l4l, ,693.97 acres of final timber-culture
entries, made during the year the areas
of which you have reported heretofore
in the original entries of the respective
classes. Ia addition TO the preceding
the following entries were made. Mum
Der of pre-emption filings, 50,676;
number Of soldiers declar atory state.
menas, 1891 number of filings on
Indian lands, 6,772 miscellaneous FL
ings 2,62l; total 62,460. These fl
ings cover an area of S,432,000 acres.
The cash receipts of the foregoing
amounted to S9.03l ,084,34.
The constantly enhancing value of
The public timber and the rapid destruc-
ton which is going on demand careful
consideration aud immediate action by
Congress,
AS shown by the report of the Com.
missioner OF the General Land Office,