Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-09

Of The State what would BE- equivalens 10
the local school tar upon the property
of the Indian. IL will be noticed from the re-
port Of the Commissioner Of Indian Affairs
that already some contracts have been made
With district schools for the education of
Indian children. There is great advantage,
think. In bringing the Indian children into
mixed schooia This process will be gradual,
ana In the meantime the present educational
provisions and arrangements the result OF the
best experience Of those who have been charged
with this work. should be continued. This will
enable those religious bodies that have under
taken the work of Indian education with so
much zeal, and with results so restraining and
benehcent to place their institutions in new
and useful relations to the Indisn and 10 his
white neighbour
THE SIOUX oUTBssAx.
Inc outbreak among the Sioux, which oc-
CURED in December last, is as 10 its causes and
incidents fully reported upon by the War De-
partment and the Department of the Interior.
That these Indians had some Just complaints,
especially in the matter Of the reduction OF the
appropriation FOR rations and in the DELAYS at
tending the enactment of laws to enable the
department to perform the engagements en-
tered into with them, Is probably true: but the
sioux tribes arc naturally warlike and turba-
medicine men and chiefs, who preached the
coming Of an Indian Messiah who was TO give
them power to destroy their enomies 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 incursion. placed at the disposal of
zen Miles. commanding the Division OF the
missouri, all such forces we're thought by
him to be required. He is entitled to the credit
OF having given thorough protection to the set
N "a <af hra., -. A..
ton with the least possible loss of life.
The appropriation of -. 99l. 450 for the Choc-
taws and Chickasaws, contained in the general
Indian appropriation bill of March s, 1881. has
not been expended, foz the reason that have
not yet approved a release (to the Government)
OF the Indian claim TO the lands mentioned.
This matter will be made the subject Of a
special message. placing before Congress all the
facts which have come to my knowledge.
THE INDIAN TERRITORY.
The relation Of the Ave civilized tribes now
occupying the Indian Territory TO the United
States is not, believe, that best Gale ulated to
promote the highest Advancement of these In
dams That there should be within our Dor
ders five independent States, having no rela-
tions, except those growing out of treaties.
Win the Government of the United States, no
representation in the National Legislature. its
people not citizens lie a star ,;iug anomaly.
IL seems to NE to be inevitable that there
shail be before long some organic changes in
the relation OF these people to the United
States. What form these changes should take
l do not think it desirable now TO suggest even
II they were well defined in my own mind. They
should certainly involve the acceptance of citi-
zenshlp by the Indians and a representation IN
Congress. These Indians should have opportu-
NIFTY TO present their claims ana grievances upon
the floor rather than. as now in the lobby. Ii a
commission could be appointed TO vlsit these
Tribes to confer with them in a friendly spirit
upon this whole subject. even If no agreement
We're presently reached, the feeling OF the
tribes upon this question would be developed
and discussion would prepare the way for
changes which must come sooner or later.
THE INDIAN LANDS.
The good work Of reducing the larger Indian
reservations, by allotments in sevcralty TO the
Indians and the cession of the remaining LANDS
to the United States for disposition under the
homestead law, has been prosecuted during the
year with energy and success. In September
last was enabled to open to settlement in the
Territory of Oklahoma 9O0.O 900 acres of land.
all of which was taken up by settlers in a single
day. The rush for these lands was accompa-
MED by great deal of excitement but was.
happily, free from incidents OF violence.
1t was a source OF great regret that was not
able TO open the same time the surplus lands of
the Cheyenne and Arapahoe Reservation.
amounting TO about 5000 900 acres. bv reason
OF the lnsuffciency of the appropriation for
making the allotments. Deserving and i'm
patient settlers are waiting to occupy these
lands.and L urgently recommend that a special
deheieney appropriation be promptly made OF
the small amount needed. SO that the eliot
nents may be completed and the surplus lands
opened i'll time to permit the settlers to get
upon their hOmesteads in the early spring.
During the past summer the Cherokee Com
mission have completed arrangements with the
Wichita, kickapoo, and 1onkawa tribes
whereby, If the agreements are ratified by
Congress, over eOO,O 900 additional acres Will b.
opened to settlement in Oklahoma.
THE CHEROKEE STRIP.
The negotiation for the release by the
Cherokees of their claim to the Cherokee
Strip has made no substantial progress. SO far
as the Department is officially advised. but j,
is still hoped that the cession Of this large and
valuable tract may be secured. The price
which the Commission was authorized TO offer
one dollar and n quarter per acre-is, in my
Judgment. when all the circumstances as TO
title and the character of the lands are eonsid-
cred, fair and adequate one and should have
been accepted by the Indians.
Since March 4. 1889 about %, 600 900 acres
have been separated from Indian reservations
and added to the public domain for the use of
tAosS WHO 70 Tree uOnes uuutr
our beneficent laws II is difficult to estimate
the increase of wealth which will result from
the conversion of these waste lands into farms
but ii is more difficult to estimate the better
ment which will result to the families that have
found renewed hope and courage in the owner
ship of home and the assurance of a COM
Portable subsistence under free and health
full conditions. 1t is also gratifying TO be able
to feel, we may. that this work has proceeded
upon lines OF justice towards the Indian, and
that he may now, if be will. secure TO himself
the good influences of a settled habitation, the
fruits of industry and the security of citizen
ship.
ARREARAoEs IN THE land OFFICE.
Early in this administration a special effort
was begun to bring up the work of the General
Land Office. By faithful work the arrearages
have been rapidly reduced. At the end of the
last fiscal year only 81 172 final agricultural en-
tries remained undisposed of. and the Commits
sioner reports that with the present force, the
work can be fully brought up By the end of the
next fiscal year.
Your attention is called to the difficulty pre-
sented by the Secretary of the Interior as to
the administration of the law of March 8, 1881,
establishing a Court of Private Land Claims
The small holdings intended TO be protected by
the law are estimated to be more than fifteen
Thousand in number. The claimants are a most
deserving class and their titles are supported
by the strongest equities. The difficulty grows
out of the fact thar the lands have largely been
surveyed according to our methods. while the
holdings, many of which have been in the same
family for generations, are laid out in narrow