The record-union., 1891-10-06
Subjects
Special TO the Rrconp-uxrox.


WASHINGTON, Oct 5.-The Commits
sioner of Indian Affairs, in his annual
report, says he thinks the great forces
now at work-the land in severalty
with its accompanying dissolution of the
tribal relations and the breaking up of
the reservation, destruction of the agency
system, citizenship and all that belongs
thereto, indc cadence, privilege and
duty, educate Il, which seeks to bring
the rising generation of Indians into the
right relationship with the age in which
they live, and put into their hands tools
by which they may gain for themselves
food and clothing and build for them
selves homes-will, if allowed to continue
undisturbed for a reasonable length of
time, accomplish their benedcent ends.
The report discusses at length the polit-
ical status OF the Indians, tracing the
evolution of the present policy of dealing
with Indians as wards. After q careful
historical survey, the Commissioner
draws number of conclusions. He
| thinks the time has come for q declara-
ton by Congress to the effect that here
after it Will not recognize the Indians as
competent to make war; that they shall
| be treated, not as belligerents, but as sub
jects; that the General Government has
the right, both for it's own protection
for the promotion of public welfare and
for the good of the Indians, not only to
establish schools in which their children
may be prepared for citizenship. but also
| to use whatever force may be necessary
to secure TO Indian children the benefits
of these Institutions.
The Commissioner submits that the
! time is at hand for an extension over the
Indians of the protection and privileges
of our courts. Meanwhile the develop
ment on Indian reservations of courts for
Indian offenses, by the perfecting of their
code of procedure and the enlargement of
| their jurisdiction, will be helpful as
preparation for complete participation
in our common life.
Il venture also 10 suggest" says the
Commissioner, whether the time is not
at hand for the passage Of an enabling
Act whereby the five civilized tribes may
form either d Territorial or State Govern
ment and be represented on the floors of
| Congress. The time has come when the
Pueblo Indians should be admitted, by a
special Act of Congress, to the enjoy
ment of all rights of citizens Of the
United States, according 10 the principles
of the Constitution as contemplated by
the treaty OF Guadaloupe Hidalgo. The
definite determination by the highest au-
thority OF the actual political status of the
|
legislation and to the satisfactory admin
istration of Indian affairs"
| After giving an account of the progress
made in the allotment of lands to In
dians during the past year, the Commits
| Sioner says: This radical and far-reach-
! ing revolution in the social status of In
| dianS is making satisfactory progress
The land in severalty has in it the prom
Use and the potency of good things, but
| only that. In many cases it brings un-
utterable woe, and in all it is liable to
leave the Indians worse Oft than beforen
He further says: Il am not in receipt
Of thorough information, nor indeed has
sufficient time elapsed to enable me to
judge of results of the allotment policy.
| have seen nothing during the year,
however, to lead me to change my views
as TO its ultimate success"
Regarding the reduction of the reserv-
ations, which has proceeded with great
rapidity during the year, the report says:
while it is possible to push the work
too rapidly, perhaps, do not hesitate to
say that the ultimate destruction of the
entire system OF reservations is inevita-
bic. There is no place for it in our pres
ent condition of life. Millions of acres
of Indian lands now lying absolutely un-
| used are needed as homes for our rapidly
| increasing population, and must be so
utilized. Whatever right and title the
Indians have in them is subject to and
must yield to the demands Of civilization.
They should be protected in the perma-
nent possession of all the land that is
necessary for their own support, and
whatever is ceded by them should be
paid for at its full market value. But it
cInnOt be expected, under any circum-
stances, that these reservations can re-
main intact, hindering the progress of
civilization, requiring an army to protect
them from the encroachmentS of home
seekers, and maintaining a perpetual
abode of savagery and animaHsm.''
The report discusses at length the sub
ject of Indian education. The enrolment
of Indian pupils for the year ended June
30th has been Ii 1926, an increase over last
year of $40. The amount of Congress
SiOnal appropriation for Indian education
available for the year TO come is nearly
two and one-qUarter millions of dollars.
The commissioner regards the education
OF Indians as the only solution of the In
dian problem.
Regarding the contract school, the
Commissioner recommends the main
tenance of status quo for the present, but
urges that an appropriation Of public
funds for Sectarian education is contrary
TO the spirit of the Constitution, opposed
TO public policy, and ought at an early
day be discontinued. He expresses
strong appreciation of the missionary
work done among the Indians by the
churches, and thinks the present time is
peculiarly favorable for an increase of
such work.