, 1890-12-04

There are now existing 1852 government
schools and ninety-four contract schools,
and the average attendance at the former
Is 7,45l and at the latter s,S0s.
INDIAN FARMING.
The purpose OF aiding the Indians to
become self-supportng by farming and
thereby add TO their civilization and
general advancement and comfort, has
been kept constantly in view during the
year, and Indian agents have been re-
peatedly directed and urged TO give their
special attention to this duty.
Indian farming is under the super
vision of certain farmers employed by
the government for this service.
The secretary asks these ''lndian
farmers to give their pupils more prac-
tlcal instructions. Object lessons he be-
licyes will give more beneficial results.
During the nine months ending June
80 1890, 5000 Indians have been in
structed in farming, and 10000 acres of
land has been plowed by them.
A number of the reservations are moro
adapted for grazing cattle. Stock rails
ing, whenever the reservations are suit
able, should be encouraged.
PURCHASE OF SUPPLIES.
The supplies required for the Indians
embrace almost every kind OF ordinary
merchandise and produce.
1t is not deemed that the lowest bid
should always be accepted, rs often the
quality of the goods offered ct the low
est price would be in the long run the
dearest. There has been the grea test
care taken to prevent fraud in these con =
tracts; the best and most reputable in
spectors have been selected. Formerly
there was a constant struggle to deceive
and cheat the government, both III the
sample ut the bidding and the goods at
the delivery. Houest merchants were
driven entirely out of the contest, But
1t is gratifying to state that by constant
watchfulness and tirmness these evils
have been almost entirely destroyed.
The market at the warehouse in New
York stands high in that commercial
center, and the contracts recently made
have been of most satisfactory charac-
ter and the deliveries acceptable.
1t has cost more than was anticipated
to bring about these changes; but to the
secretarYs determl lnation has been add
ed the zeal and intelligence of all the
other officers concerned in the actual
transaction OF purchasing and receiving
the supplies.
wild WEST" SHOWS.
When the present adm inistration be-
gan there was little or no restrain. upon
any seeking to take Indians oil tho res
ervations for exhibition in this or other
countries. A bond is required of any
person asking such privilege conditioned
on the fair payment and treatment of
the Indians and their return to their
homes aud for she employment of q
white man to go along with the Indians
to look to their rights and welfare.
1t has been seen that the results of In
a. In hat tryu h.v haa
deplorable, and IL has been consequent
ly ordered that no more such licenses or
contracts shall be made or approved.
INDIAN DEPRECIATION CLAIMS.
1t will be seen bv the report of the
commissioner of Indian affairs that
the whole number of depreciation
claims filed prior to the end of the last
fiscal year was 6,053, amounting to the
sum of $50, 922, $50.
When it is considered that many of
these claims are very valuable and pos
sess considerable merit, and have been
pending more than generation, 1t
would seem that some speedy legisla-
tlon should be taken in their behalf.
Ii IL suggested that the clerical force
in the Indian office be SO increased as to
insure the speedy investigation and
settlement of the claims. As time
passes IL becomes more dlfncult TO OBJ
tain testimony necessary, and for the
government to protect Itself against
frauds. Consequently, the longer these
matters stand, the more expensive and
diifiult for the government TO settle
them.
He urges that additional compensa-
ton be given to the several heads of the
bureaus ana their assistants, and states
very clearly and forcibly why their
salaries should bc raised
THE PATEsr OFFICE.
The secretary makes an exhaustive
statement of the patent Office, the re-
ceipts and disbursements. and shows
the department. hasa balance OF $780,
o20 65 to be turned Into the treasury to
the credit Of the patent fund, which is
already So, 100 550.2a
He directs attention to the great in =
crease In the number of applications,
and in spite of these, the work of the
office is more nearly up 10 date than for
years previous.
He also calls attention TO the facts
that clerks and secretaries do lot get
get enough pay-they being the poorest
paid OF any clerks In the employ of the
government, they are also greatly ham
pered in the work by lack of room.
PENSIONS.
The work to be done by this blrreau
has reached wonderful proportions, and
its expenditures have sent into the
channels of trade and commerce in our
country more than 500, 600, 900 tho past
FE.