Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-10-30
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
Report of Commissioner Atkins-Pro.
sress Made by Many of the Tribes.
WsHIScroN Ont ot

WsHISGToN, Oct. 29,
Commissioner of Indian Affairs ]. ID. G.
Atkins, in his report showing the operation,
OF the Indian bureau during The last tisca
year, calls attention to evidence of the pro.
gress made by many of the tribes.
tie says: ''There is an active inquiry
among many of the tribes for further know.
ledge OF the arts of agriculture, a growing
desire to take lands in severalty, the urgent
demand for agricultural imprements with the
modern Improvements, the large acreage
which the Indians have put to tillage exceed.
ing that of any preceding year tn. unprece
dented increase in the number of Indian
children who have been enrolled in the
schools, these and many other fscts fully es.
tabilsh the claim that during the past wear
the Indian race has taken frmer step in the
march toward civilization than ever before
IN the same length of time. Another wears
trial OF this humanitarian and place system
only adds cumulative testimony to the supe-
orlty of its methods of Indian civilization
over any other yet tried
As further evidence the commissioner re-
fers to the fact that thi. progress had reen
made without any corresponding increase in
the expenditures. In fact, he says the esti-
mates for carrying on the Indian service ha.
been reduced from S7,32S,049 in 1886, to
50, ,608,87 for 1888, and for an increase of
Sl17 900 in estimate for educational work
the reduction would have been greater. Re-
ferring to the attempts of Boomers" to en-
croach up their reservation, the com
missioner SAYS, it is not reasona-
able to expect that the government will never
tire of menacing its own people with its own
army, therefore, it becomes vastly import.
ant that the five civilized tribes who have
among them men competent TO be represen.
tatives and senators in Congress, governors
of States and Judges of the bench should
co-operated with the government in estab-
fishing peace and quiet within their borders,
settling existing agitation as to their right.
and necessities and iesposing of disquieting
questions which will surely grow out of the
present condition of things in the whole of
Indian Territory.
The commissioner attacks the tribal svs-
tenn and the laws which permit evils to exist.
He says it would be best for the Indian. to
divide their land in severalty, allowing l60
acres to each head of family and so acres
TO each minor child. The large surplus re-
manning should be sold to actual settlers at a
just price and the proceeds would enable
poorer Indians to improve their allotments,
put up school buildings, etc.
The commissioner says LET these In
dians once assume all the responsibilities of
citizens of the United States, with its laws
extended as protecting aegis over them and
the dav of their fear and apprehensions of
marauding whites will be forever ended.
When this is done the five civilized tribes
and perhaps the other tribes, of Indian Ter
ritory will be ready to form territorial gov
ernment and pass as other territories under
the protection of our constitution and laws
and be represented in Congress by their owr
delegate"