The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1888-12-14

that the transforming changes so much 70
be desired, which shall substitute IoI Va.
barism enlightenment and clvlllz.nk euu.
cation. is in favorable progress. Relations
have heen disturbed by no disorders, U
rather marked by q better reallzatlon u
their true interests and Increasing conn
dance and good will. These conditions
testify to the value of the higher tone OF
consideration and humanity Wnlcn AIaS
governed later methods of dealing VIII
them. l commend its continued oose's-
ance.
AIlotments in severalty have been maze
on some reservations, until all those en-
titled 10 land thereon have mad tneiI snales
assigned, and the work is still contlhueuf
in directing the execution or inns duIy !
nave not aimed so much at raplo dlspaecn
as to secure just n fair arrangements
which shall best conduce to the objects OF
law by producing satisfaction with the re-
suits OF the allOtments made. No measure
or general effect has ever been entered on
from which more may be fairly hoped II ~
shall be discreetly administered IL prof.
fers opportunity to thai Independence OF
spirit and life which the Indian peculiarl-
ties need, while ST the same time the IN
a%lienability of title affords security against
the risks his inexperience vi affairs OF
weakness of character may expose MIN 10
in dealing with others. Whenever oegun
Upon any reservation, it should % maue
anne condition, and as soon as possible
community in land should cease by open
ing such as remain unallotted to settlement.
Contact with the ways of industrious and
succe- sful farmers will perhaps q q
healthy emulation, which will both INSTRUCT
and stimulate.
But no agency for the amelioration OF
this people appears to me so promising az
the extension urged by the secretary OF
| such complete facilities Of education as
shall at the earliest possible day embrace
| all teachable Indian youths OF both sexes
| and retain them with q kindly and bench.
| cent hold until their characters are formed
/ and their faculties and dispositions trained
to such pursuits or some form of useful
| industry. The capacity Of the Indian no
| longer needs demonstrations; it Is estaD-
| lished. 1t remains to make the most OF It,
and when that shall be done the curse will
be lifted, the Indian race saved and the SIN
of their oppression redeemed. The time OF
it's accomplishment depends upon the spirit
and justice with which it shall be prose-
| cuted. It cannot be too soOn for the Indian
nor for the interest and good name OF the
nation.
The average attendance of Indian pupils
in schools increased by over 500 during the
year and the total enrolment reached
i5,212. The cost of maintenance was not
materially raised. The number Of teach
/ able Indian youths is now 10000, or nearly
| three times the enrolment Of the schools.
| 1t is believed that the obstacles in the way
of instructing all are surmountable and
that the necessary expenditure Wonld De a
measure of economy.
The Sioux tribes o the great reservation
of Dakota refused to assent to the act
passed by congress at its last session for
opening q portion of their lands to settle
ment, Notwithstanding modification of the
terms was suggested which met most OF
the objections. Their demand is for I'm
mediate payment OF the full price of $l.25
per acre for the entire body Of land the
occupancy of which they are asked to
r%elinquish. The manner Ut. submission
insured their fair understanding of the
law, and their action was undoubtedly as
l thoroughly intelligent as their capacity
admitted. 1t is at least gratifying that no
reproach of overreaching can in any man
ner be urged against the government, how
ever advisable the favorable completion of
the negotiation may have been esteemed.
/ concur in the suggestion OF the secretary
regarding the Turtle Mountain Indians,
the two reservations in Colorado and the
Crees'. They should, in my opinion. re-
ceive immediate attention.
PENSIONS.
The number of pensioners added to the
rolls during the fiscal year ended June 80,
1888, is 60. 252, and Increase of pensions
was granted In As, ZIG cases. The names OF
IL, 7SO pensioners were dropped from the
rolls during the year for various causes,
and at the close of the year the number of
persons of all classes receiving pensions
were 452, $50. OF these there were 806 survi-
vors of the wal of 1872, l0,787 widows OF those
who served in that war, IS, 060 soldiers of
the Mexican war, and {, 104 widows of said
soldiers. There are l,O2 different rates of
pensions to be paid beneficiaries, rating
from SO to $416 IS per month. The
y ar was $$78, US, 86l. 90, being an increase
over the preceding year of $$5,3O8, 280 %.
The expenses attending the maintenance
n operation Of the pension bureau dur
ing that period was So, 1859, 52467, making
the entire expenditures of the bureau $780,
0S8, 1856 SO, being 2119 per cent. OF the total
expenditures OF the government during the
year.
l am thoroughly convinced that our gen
eral pension laws should be revised ana adj
justed to meet, as far as possible, in the
light of our experience, all merltOrions
cases. The fact chat 102 different rates Of
pensions are paid cannot. in my opinion,
be made consistent with justice TO the pen
sloners or to the government, and the
numerous private bills that are passed pre-
dictated upon the imperfection Of the gen
eral laws, while they increase in many
cases the existing Inequality and injustice,
lend additional force to the recommends
ton for revision of the general laws on
this subject.
The laxity of ideas prevailing among a
large number of our people regarding pen
slons is becoming every day more marked.
The principles upon which they should be
granted are in danger of being altogether
ignored, and already pensions are often
claimed because the applicants are '.as
much entitled as other successful appli-
cants," rather than upon any disability
reasonably attributable to military service.
u the establishment of various presidents
be not divorced from partisan and other un-