Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1891-12-18
The Interior.

The report of the secretary Of the in
terror shows that very gratifying pro-
gress has been made in all of tie bureaus
which MAKE up that complex, dliilcult de-
nartment. The WORK in the bureau of
Indian affairs was perhaps never so large
as now, by reason OF the numerous nego-
tiations which have been proceeding with
the tribes for a reduction of the reserva-
tons, with tho incident labor OF making
allOtments, and was never more carefully
conducted. The provision of adequate
school facilities for linden children and
the locating of adult Indians upon farms,
involve the solution OF the Indian ques-
tioD," Everything else-rat.ons, annui-
ties ana tribal negotiations with tho
agents, inspectors, and commissioner,
who distribute and conduct them-mus1
pass away when the Indian has become a
citizen, secured in the individual owner
ship of a farm, from which he derives MS
subsistence by his own labor, pro-
tected by and subordinate to the laws which
govern the white man, and provided by
the general government or by the local
communities in which he lives with the
means of educating his children. When an
Indian becomes citizen in an organized
state or territory his relation to the gen
eral government ceases, IN great meas
ure, to be that of a ward; but the general
government ought not at once to put upon
the state or territory the burden of the
education of his children.
IL will be noticed from the report of the
commissioner Of Indian affairs that
already some contracts have been
made with district schools for the
education of Indian children. There
The outbreak among the Sioux, which
occurred IN December last, as TO us causes
and incidents, are fully reported upon by
The war department and tile department of
the interior. That these Indians had some
just complaints, especially in the matter OF
nf a
ton for rations and in the de-
lays attending the enactment of laws
to enable the department to per-
form the engagements entered into with
them, is probably true; but the Sioux
tribes are naturally warlike and turbulent
and their warriors were excited by their
medicine men and chiefs who preached the
coming of an Indian Messiah. who was to
give them power to destroy their enemies.
In view of the alarm that prevailed among
the white settlers near the reservation and
of the fatal consequences that would have
resulted from an Indian incurslOn placed
at the disposal of General Miles command
ing that division, the arms that were
thought by him to be required. He is
entitled to the credit of having given
protection to the settlers and of bringing
the hostiles into subsection with the least
possible loss of life.
The appropriation OF S2,99l, $50 for the
Choctaws and Chickasaws. contained IN
the general indian appropriation Dlll OF
March 3. 1891, has not been expended, for
the reason that have not yet approved u
release 10 the government OF the Indian
claim to the lands mentioned. This matter
will be made the subject OF special mes
sage, placing before congress all the facts
which have come to my knowledge. The
relations OF the five civilized tribes now
occupying the Indian territory to the
United States. | believe that best
calculated to promote the highest ad-
vancement OF these Indians, that
there should be within our borders,
five independent states having no
relations, excepting those growing ont OF
treaties with the government of the United
States, no representation in the nation $
legislature, its people not being citizens, is
a startling anomaly, IL seems to me to be
inevitable that there shall be. before long.
some organic changes IN the relation OF
of these people to the United States.
The good work OF reducing the larger In
dian reservations by alotments in sew
crafty to the Indians. and the cesslon OF
the remaining lands to the United
Mates for disposition under the
homestead law has been prosecuted during
theVear with energy and success. 10 sep
teml\,r last was enabled TO open the settle
mentNn the territory in Oklahoma. 10000
acres OK land ali OF which was taken up by
settlers 10 single day. The rush for tnes1
lands wasNaccompanied by great aeai OF