Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-12-06


The secretary of the interior has issued hi
report for the fiscal year ending June 80
1856.
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
There 10 at this time q state of genera
quiet among the Indians During the veal
there has heen practically no sctual disturb
ance or serions alsrm caused by any of them
except the Chiricahua Apaches. Is is highl,
gratifying to report that out of an Indian pop
ulation estimated at 260,0 souls less thai
one hundred have been engsg >d in open op
position and resistance to the suthorlty ant
control of the government.
There has been steady though not rapit
improvement in the moral, material. and IN
trll-ctual condition oil the mass of the Indiar
population during the past twelve mouths
Thry are more iractable; fewer crimes ant
dspredations are charged against them mors
of the em than at any prior period are engaged
In useful and prof able Industries; more thar
ever before are located upon individual allot
ments of lands, tilling the soil and living il
houses. More have iald aside the blanke
for the dr.ss of civilization The averag.
attt ndance of children in the schools is aoou
600 greater than heretofore, and many more
of the parents are anxious tor the education
of their children.
As 1 stated in my last report. the only al
tentative now presented to the American In.
dian race Is speedy entrance into the pale of
American civilization, or absolute extinction.
In order to escape the latter and obtain the
indispensable. The fret is to get established
in this race the idea and habtuds of individ
ual property holding, thorough reliance upon
its inviolabiity and perfect sense of secur-
ity in the ENJOYMENT of its benefits. Second,
an education of the entire mass of the youth
of this race, embracing y thorough know ledge
OF the use of the English language in the
daily affair. of life, arithmetic, and the me-
chanical arts among the males, and among
the females the domestic arts in use with that
sex Third, a substitution of the universal
operation of law among them in the enforce.
ment OF Justice and the protection of person
and property, and the punishment of crime,
for the agencies OF force and superstition.
ADMINISTRATIONS OF LAW AND JUSTICE ON
INDIAN RESERVATIONS.
Asa means of teaching the Indians the
habits of self government and of obedience tc
law, local tribunals, styled courts of Indiar
offenses, presided over by Indian judges, have
been established upon many of the reserva
tions,under department regulations issued by
my predecessor, These are reported hy the
commissioner to be doing good work general
iy In aiding in the preservation of order anc
helping the progress of the Indians. He re
commends that the establishment of these In
dian courts be sanctioned by a law, and tha
an appropriation be made to pay the Indiar
judges small sslary for their services.
deem the recommendation wise and import
ant.
INDIAN FARMING AND MARKETS FOR ISpIAs
PRODUCTS.
The farming operations among the Indian,
have increased in extent during the year, bu
a season Of drought, especially in the North
west, has not only limited the yield bu
greatly discouraged many of the Indians who
have realized very little from their farming
snJesvors. Another cause for discourage
ment in their farming operations 10 the diff
Guilty which they have in finding convenient
markets tor the produce raised by them.
GRAZING ON INDIAN LANDS.
The herds of the Indians, where there are
any, should not be deprived Of ample pastur
age, nor their growth and increase intsrfered
with by the Overlooking of the reservations
The Indian herders should be properly CON.
pensated out of the proceeds, and the bal
ance should go to the benefit of the tribe
Individual freeholders on the reservations
who have more land than they can cultivate
might be also allowed to take small numbers
of cattle for pasturage.
The Indians owning or occupying the
reservations very naturally reason that they
are justly entitled to the revenues received
from the sources specified and they do mol
understand why Congress has so legslated
as to put such moneys beyond the power OF
this department to apply them to their use
and benefit 1t is recommended that the Law
be so modified a. to allow those funds to be
used under the regulations Of this depart
ment to meet the proper necessities of the
Indians, to whose credit they are or may be
placed.
OKLAHcMA.
Active operations have been conducted b,
the department with the aid of the military
under instructions from the secretary o: wal
for the removal of all persons found intrud
ing with cattle or otherwise upon that unoc
cupied portion of the Indian Territory com
monty known As the Oklahoma country; auC
am pleased to be able to report that ths
measures adopted and work performed hav,
been effective in practically clearing tha
country and keeping it clear of trespassers OF
all kinds, and in 40 completely obstructine
all efforts and demands made for its uplsw fu
invasion as to check all open and activ,
movements of lawless combinations of per
sons organized for the forcible entry anC
settlement upon these lands dictated by treat
les to specific purposes. The reports re
ceived indicate that there is a general senti
ment on the border and in the vicinity of th
Territory to submit in law abiding spirit t.
the decision and policy of the governmen
aud await the action of Congress on the mat
ter.
HOSTILE APACHEs.
The Chricahua Apaches who in Nav
1885, left the San Carlos reservation, in Ar
izons, under the leadership of Geronimo
committing horrible cruelties and depreda
tions upon the people of Arizona, New Mexi
CO. and also of Mexico, continued on tn
war-path throughout the past fiscal yaar
They kept no small portion Of our territor
in a state of alarm and dread, retardlng ii
development. The theater of their move
ments was largely confined to the mountain
of Mexico, where they were hotly and vigoi
ouslv pursued by the United States troops.
Later, in July, the military authorities be
came convinced that the removal of thos
Chricshus and Warm Spring. bands o
Apsches remaining on the reservation I
some other place where they could be NOR
securely guarded, was desirable is not neces
sary to bring about the surrender or csptur
of Geronimo and his followers. Fort Marion
Florida, was reported to be the best place 10
the purpose. and thither they were remove
in September last, under directions of tn
war department.
While arrangements for this movemer