Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-11-01
MIR. ATKINS kEPOKr.
He Points Out How the Commission
Has Reformed the Service.

He Points Out How the Commission
Has Reformed the Service.
AsHINGToN, Oct. 31.--The Commits
sioner OF Indian Affairs, j. d. c. Atkins,
has sent out his annual report. Speaking
of the progress made by the tribes, he
says:
"The excellent temper, subordination
and general tranquility which. with two
or three exceptions, have everywhere
prevailed is of itself a most suspicious
omen of progress" He says that an
other years practical trial of this ''hu-
manItaran and peace system" only ADDS
cumulative testimony to the superiority
OF its methods of Indian civilization over
any other ever vet tried. This progress
has been made without any correspond
ing increase in expenditures. In TACT,
the estimates for carrying on the indian
service have been reduced from $I32S, O49
in 1886 to $5,6OSST for 1898, and but for
an increase of Sill, 800 in estimates for
educational work the reduction would
have been greater.
Referring 10 the eXis ing state OF things
in Indian Territory, the commissioner
vigorously attacks the tribal system, and
says: AT present the rich Indians who
cultivate tribal lands pay no rent to the
poorer members of their tribe, although
they are equal owners of the soil. The
rich men have too large bomesteads, and
control many times more than their share
OF the land. Are these the sacred rights
secured by treaty, which the United
States are uledged 10 respect and defend?
If so, the United states are pledged To up
hold and maintain a stupendous land
monopoly and aristOcracy that hnds no
parallel in this country except in two or
three localities in the far West. 1t would
be best Tor the Indians to divide their
land in severalty, allowing 100 acres to
each head of family and so acres to each
minor child. The large surplus remain
ing should be sold to actual settlers at
just price, and the proceeds would enable
the poorer Ind ans to improve their allot-
ments, put up school buildings, etc. Let
these Indians once assume all OF the re-
spOnsibiities OF citizens of the United
sta es, with it's laws extended as "A pro.
tectlng 8gis over them, ana the day of
their lear and apprehensiOns OF mara1d-
ing whites will be forever ended. When
this is done the five civilized tribes, and,
perhaps, other tribes OF the Indian Terri.
tory, will be ready to form a Territorial
government, and pass, as other Terrific
ries, unGer the protection OF our constitu-
ton aud laws, and De represented in Con-
gress by their own Delegate.'
Tue Commissioner dwells at length
upon the surplus land in the Indian Terri
tory. He expresses his convicuon that
tae proposition to throw open Oklahoma
TO white settlement would be an expert
ment dangerous to all concerned. The
d fticulles in the way of a fair admins
ton OF justice in the Territory are fully
set forth, and the report says that the I'M
M diate necessity for the establishment of
a United States District Court within the
heart of the territory of the five civilized
nations 70 longer admits of a doubt.
The Commissioner, in treating of
indian schools, speaks OF the diff
Guilty experienced in freeing the
pupils from. adverse heme inf1u-
ences, and after some discussion
ever, | would not advise diminutiCn OF
material aid and support 10 any OF the
different kinds of schools now fostered by
the government.
AS an incentive TO make the best use of
the educational advantages afforded pu-
pills of both sexes, | think IL would he
wise for Congress to make an aDpropria-
tlon from which every Indian youth, who
shall grad ate from school ana marry an
Indian maiden who has also graduated,
may be assisted in settling upon a home
stead Of 100 acres, purchasing team,
breaking and 'encing land and building a
house. IL the homestead is NOT on an
Indian reservation, the man should also
have the right to citizenship, including
the right to suffrage"
Under the head Agency Employees"
the Commissioner says: ''The general
public has long bad the idea that corrup.
uun prevailed IN tue emplOye service Az
Indian agencies; that many agents, nav
ing IN their own hanQs the power TO en-
plOy or dismiss their assistants. had sur
rounded the mselves VITO such material
as they could completely control through
lear Of discharge, or by collision with
them in dishonest practices; that this
condition Of affairs rendered fraud easy
and its detection by inspectors, special
agents ana this office, almost
impossible, and that thus the Gov
eminent and the Indians were
plundered with impunity. ! determined
TO make such a change as would n. cJu-
ally remove all just cause for doubt a. 10
the honesty amt integrity OF the rvice
in this particular. Indian agents and
school superintendents were. therefore,
nouted that the office would select and
appoint all clerks as well as phy siciaus
aud additional farmers. am pleased to
be able to report that most OF the AGENTS
cordially support this move. The ruling
that agency clerks shall be selected by
the Indian Office is a wise one, and has
already been found 10 tend directly and
plainly TO the improvement of the SER
vice."