The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1886-11-05
THE NOBLE RED MAN.

The Annual Report of Commissioner At
kins Shows Gratifying Improvement in
the Condition of the acknowledgements
dations and Estimates.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 30.-The Commission
er of Indian Affairs, j. D. G. Atkins, has
just completed his annual report showing
the operations of the Indian Bureau during
the last fiscal year. He begins by calling
attention to the unmistakable evidences of
progress made by many of the tribes, and
says that during the last year the Indian
race has taken a frmer step in the march
toward civilization than ever before in the
same length of time
The excellent temper, subordination and
general tranquility which, with two or three
exceptions, has everywhere prevailed
among the red men is of itself most
suspicious omen of progress. The active
inquiry among many of the tribes for
further knowledge of the arts of ag-
riculture; the growing desire to take
lands In severalty; the urgent demand
for agricultural implements with modern
improvements; the largely increased acre
age which the Indians have put to tillage,
exceeding that of any preceding year; the
unprecedented increase in the number of
Indian children who have been enrolled in
fully establish the claim that during the past
year the Indian race has taken firnler step
and grander stride in the great march
toward civilization than ever before IN the
same length of time The estimates for
carrying on the Indian service have been
reduced from 81 ,32S, 049 in 1885 to s., ,S73
for 1855, and, but for an increase of S177,-
800 in the estimate for educational work,
the reduction would have been greater.
Referring to the attempts of 'boomers'' to
encroach upon the Indian Territory, the
commissioner says that it is impor-
tant that these five civilized tribes
Giving in the Territory should CO.
operate with the Government in estab-
fishing peace and quiet within their
borders The Commissioner believes that
it would be best for these Indians to divide
their land in severalty, alloting 100 acres
to each head of a family and eighty acres
to each minor child. The large surplus re-
naming should be sold to actual settlers,
and the proceeds would enable the poorer
Indians to improve their allotments, put
up school buildings, etc.
The Commissioner says that, were all the
Indians of the United States to be trans
planted to the Indian Territory, there would
then be, including those now resident there,
1864 acres for each living Indian. He sug-
gests that the Kiowas, Comanches, Wich-
itas, Cheyennes and Arapahoes, the only
tribes in the Territory west of long
itude ninety-eight, be removed to
lands east of that line, and recon-
mends that Congress authorize the
appointment of commission to ascer-
tain the views of these Indians upon the
subject. He expresses his conviction that
the proposition to throw open Oklahoma to
white settlement would be an experiment
dangerous to all concerned. The Commits
sioner refers to his instructions to agents
looking to the teaching Of Indians how to
farm, and says the success or non-success
of these experiments will require some
in treating of Indian schools, speaks of the
difficulty experienced in freeing the pupils
from adverse home influences. but says the
schools are doing excellent and efficient
service in their particular spheres. He
suggests that an Indian graduate who mar
ries an Indian graduate be assisted in pur-
chasing team, settling on 100 acres of
land, fencing, breaking, and building a
house, and that, if he takes up land outside
of any Indian reservation, he be made
citizen of the United States
The Commissioner believes that an accu-
rate census would show a large decrease in
the number of Indians throughout the coun
try, and urges the necessity of an appro-
priation for that purpose.