The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-03

people and OF the affairs OF the Govern
ment directed TO their care and improves
ment has during the past year continued
satisfactory. No disturbances and no Sc
rious troubles Of any kind have anywhere
occurred. The conduct of the Indians
has been almost universally quiet and or
derby, and their disposition perhaps more
than usually peaceable and tractable.
There seems to be no reason TO question
that, although progress is not rapid, still
the transformation OF the Indian char
acter and habits is steadily pro-
crossing, and that with continuing be-
neficence in the treatment OF them
by the Government il need not fall TO the
lot OF this peoploto infiict upon them the
browning act Of injustice by their annihila-
ton, but they may yet be nodded into
civilized form, embraced within the folds
of society, and elevated by enlightenment
to n condition of development and bappi-
ness which shall TO some degree atone in
the Indians OF the future for the injustice
which has been suffered by the Indians OF
the past in their contact with white men.
The measure OF progress attained neces-
sarily corresponds TO the intelligence,
energy and steadfast uniformity with
which their treatment and the work OF
their alienation is prosecuted. Thus it
of the country Indian people who aIe self
supporting, oitentimes Industrious and
successful TO a gratifying degree, who
have established to a demonstration the
| possibility Of the race for the reception Of
| all the beneficial influences and acquire
ments Of civilized life; while, on the other
hand, there yet remain some who are
troglodyles in barbarism. And among
the various tribes are shaded the differ
ences between these two extremes. The
varying conditions depend also 10 a con-
siderable degree upon fortuitous crcum-
stances which have operated either TO
debar. to limit or modify, the attempts
hitherto addressed to their amelioration.
IL is, however, very apparent that great
| progress has been made in recent years in
the deliveance OF these people from tho
ideas and habits Of the past. The reaxa-
ton in the grasp OF barbarous customs, the
improvement OF morals and manners, the
PERCEPTION Of the value OF independent
life and Of the ways OF self support, mark
their present aspect in n much greater de-
gree than formerly. They manifest less
prejudice against the acceptance Of the
habits OF civilized life, and more readily
and willingly adapt themselves TO the
measures designed for their Improvement.
! The policy Of the Government, for some
time past consistently pursued by tho
course Of legislation and administration,
has wholly broken up the tribal system OF
government among several OF the tribes
and bands, and with others has weakened
it to u stage OF disintegra,ion. The OBJ
structive influence OF chiefs aud head men
TO civilized methods has been largely d.
minished by no longer making agreements
| or conventions with them alone, but after
soliciting the views OF all adult males, by
determining according TO the voice Of
majority or a greater number; by no longer
Issuing rations 10 the chiefs and heads Of
bands for distribution by them, but, in
stead, to heads OF families, and, where
expedient TO so limit II, TO the able-boded'
adult males for services performed; and by
permitting individuals 10 leave their rescr-
vations and take homesteads upon tho
public domain without prejudice TO their
rights in tribunal annuities funds, lands
or property. by these means, indiyidu-
atty in Indian manhood has been cncour-
aged and fostercd, and rcaiza ion Of per-
sonal responsibility extended. The pun
ishment OF lesser misdemeanors among
them by the courts OF Indian o6enses,
organized and conducted In imitation Of
civilized methods, appears TO have pro-
duccd good results.
PENSIONS.
Original pensioners TO the number co.
252 were added 10 the pension rolls during
the past fiscal year, and increases were
granted in IS, 7l6cases. The names Of 10, go
pensioners were dropped from the rolls for
various causes. 30 that at the end Of tho
year the total number remaining OF all
classes was i52, $50, Of which 323, 020 were
army invalid pensioners, ~, So army Wild
ows, children aud dependent relatives; 81
$40 navy invalids, 2.OSj navy widows,
children and dcpcnlen relatives; SOC sur
viyors Of the war Of 1872, aud lO,7S7 Wild
ows OF those who served In tlat sar; 10000
Mexican soldiers, and 5,l0i widows OF
Mexican soldiers.
At the present time lO2 different rates
Of pension prevail, ranging from - per
month 10 Sil665 per month; but the ay-
crage annual value Of each pension at the
close 81 the year Is shown TO be Sl25.30;
aud the aggregate annual value OF all PEN
sions $50, T07, 220.O2, an increase for the
year OF 50, sS2, 1910.
The amount paid for pensions during tho
year was S7S,TI5, S8l.92 an increase over
the previous year Of ~, 3Os, $50. -; the diff
ference between tho actual payments and
the annual value having been occasioned
by first payments involving arrears Thus
there were paid 10 6i.2S2 pensioners, re-
ceiying first payments during the year, the
sum OF So, 2g9, COS. 40, and there remained
In the hands Of pension agents 6,57i
cases Of this kind unpaid on the 30lh Of
juno, upon which were due =, i65, 722.59
The cost attending the disbursement OF
this money, embracing the pay OF the OH
ces and employees OF the Bureau, It's
agents, surgeons, special examiners, and
b | ,..aLt.... 10
expenditures for all purposes by
the Bureau during the year, Ss2,-
03S, $780, being y per cent. Of
, the total gross income Of the
United States for that Time and nearly 81
per cent. Of the total expenditures OF the
Government for the fiscal year. This en-
tirc business was transacted without de-
ialcaiion or financial iTcgulahty involy-
/, ing the Government, and there was some
accclcniion Of the rapidiiy OF payment.