Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1886-12-09
THE INTERIOR.
Synopsis OF the Annual Report Of
Secretary Lamar.
The Indian Ouestion-PubIic Lands and the
Transactions Therein-Our Subsidized
Rai1roads-Pension, Labor and
Other Subjects of Interest.

WASHINGTON, Dec 6.-The report of the
i Secretary of the Interior made public this
morning, gives very interesting exhibit
of the affairs of that Department of the
Government.
The Red man of the West, his relation
to the Federal Government and his SUBJ
j jugation, civilization and education occupy
the first place and largest space in the re-
port, and on the whole gives a very en-
couraging view of this important matter.
| The report says:
There is at this time state Of general quiet
among the Indians. During the year there has
been practically no actual disturbance or seri-
Gus alarm caused by any of them, except the
Chiricahua Apaches. 1t is highly gratifying to
report that out OF an Indian population esti-
mated at 10000 souls, less than one hundred
have been engaged in open opposition and re-
sistance to the authority and control OF the
Government. There has been steady though
not rapid improvement in the moral, material
and intellectual condition of the mass of the
Indian population 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 en-
gagged In useful and pre6table industries; more
than ever before are located upon individual al
1otments Of lands, tilling the soil and living in
houses. More have laid aside the blanket for
the dress of civilization. The average attend
ance of children in the schools is about sixteen
hundred greater than heretofore. and many
more of the parents are anxious for the educa-
ton of their children.
There are other evidences of different char
acter showing that the work Of Indian civiliZa-
ton is progressing unC er the present manage
ment Of the Indian Bureau. The estimates
presented for the Indian service for the en-
suing year are 1922 3sG 20 less than those of last
year. and s1.719,176 less than those of the year
previous. These things, all considered, show
that the work of elevating the race is bearing
fruit. While the Indians on their part are adj
vancing. the bureau is retiring by the reduction
of its expenditures.
The select committee of the House of Rep
presntatives on expenditures for Indians, of
which Hon. W. S. Holman was chairman at the
last session, recommended the passage of the
bill Oh. R. 6973) ito provide for the appoint
ment of a commission to inspect and report on
the condition of Indians, Indian affairs and for
other purposes" By the provisions of this
bill, the commission would be required to per-
form just such duties were suggested for it
in the last annual report of the department.
and which were stated more particularly in the
message of the Executive to Congress on this
subject. This bill has not yet become law.
I earnestly recommend its passage before the
expiration of the present Congress. The In
dian agents are occupied with the details OF
their respective agencies. The necessary
preparation of the multiplicity Of returns, re-
ports, ETC.. required by laws and regulations
for the proper accountability for public funds
and supplies which pass into their hands, leave
them little, If any, time to look otter the i'm
portant work of instructing the Indians in in
dustral pursuits, in aiding them by their farm
ing operations to look to their own gamers in
stead of the Government warehouse for sup
port, and to carry successfully the great
work of the division of landed property among
them.
Impressed with the importance of such
education of the Indian will enable
them to speak the language of the country; as
will enable them to properly understand and
appreciate the laws which regulate civilized
society; and as will train them to habits of in
dustry, and an understanding Of the mysteries
of useful employment, the estimates for educa-
tional purposes which have been presented for
the Indian service for the support of the Indians
have been largely reduced below those of the
last and preceding years.
The report of the superintendent of Indian
schools, accompanying the report of the Com
missioner of Indian Affairs, contains detailed
inform alton on the Indian educational work
for the year, with statistics showing the num-
Der and kinds of schools maintained, the num-
Der of children provided for, and the cost of
this branch of the service-a gener-
al summary of which only can be here given:
No. of Ave.
Kind of school. schools. attend. Cost