The morning call., 1891-10-06
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
Interesting Annual Report Of
the Commissioner.
The Great Forces Now al Work 10 CiYiliZe
the Red Man.
The Dissolution of The Tribal Relations.
Breaking Up of the Reservations The
Effect Of Education.
Special to THE MORNING CALL.

idnu III SeVeTdity Wlln It's accom- paHylns
dissolution of the tribal relation and the
breaking up of the reservations; the de-
struction Of the agency system; citizenship
and all that belongs thereto-iudependence
privilege and duty; education which seeks
to bring the rising generation of the Indians
into right relationship with the age in
which they live and put into their hands
the tools by which they may gain for them
selves food and clothing and build for them
selves homes-will, If allowed to continue
undisturbed a reasonable length of time,
accomplish their benefcent ends.
THEIR POLITICAL STATUS.
The report discusses at length the politl-
cal status of the Indians, tracing the evolu-
tion Of the present policy of dealing with
Indians as wards. After careful historical
review the Commissioner draws a number
of conclusions. lie thinks the time has
come for declaration by Congress to the
effect that hereafter it will not recognize
Indians as competent to make war; that
they shall be treated, not as belligerents.
but as subjects; that the General Govern
ment has the right, both for its own protec-
tion. for the promotion of the public vel
fare 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 nee
es9ary to secure to the Indian children the
benefit Of these Institutions.
AMENABLE To LAW.
The Commissioner submits that the time
is at hand for the extension over the lndi-
ans of the protection and privileges of our
courts, meanwhile furthering the develop
ment on the Indian reservations of courts of
Indian offenses, which by perfecting their
code of procedure and the enlargement Of
their jurisdiction will be helpful as pre-
paratl0n for complete participation in our
common life. 81 venture to suggest whether
the time is not at hand for the passage of
an enabling act whereby the five civilized
tribes may form either Territorial or State
government and he represented on the floors
of Congress. The time has come when the
pueblo Indian should be admitted by a
special act OF Congress to the enjoyment Of
all the rights of citizens of the United States
according to the principles of the Constitu-
ton as contempt ated by the treaty of Quad
alupe Hidalgo." The definite determination
by the highest authority of the actual p0-
litical status of the Indians is necessary as
a basis of wise legislation. and to satis-
factory administration of the Indian affairs.
After giving the account of the progress
made in the allotment OF lands to the In-
dams during the past year, the Commits
sioner says: "This radical and far-reach-
ing revolution in the social status of the
Indians is making satisfactory progress.
Land in severalty has in it the promise and
the potency of great things; but not only
that, in many cases it brings unutterable
woe, and in all ii is liable to leave the In
dams worse off than before" He further
says Il am not in receipt of enough infor-
nation, nor, indeed, has sufficient time
elapsed to enable ME to judge as to the prac-
tical result of the allotment policy. l have
seen nothing during the year, however, to
lead me to change my views as to its ulti-
mate success" Regarding the reduction of
the reservations, which has proceeded with
great rapidity during the year, the report
says: 'Whie it Is possible to push this
work too rapidly perhaps, l do not hesitate
to say that the ultimate destruction OF the
entire system of reservations is in
evitable. There is no place for
it in our present condition Of life.
Millions of acres of indian lands, now lying
absolutely unused, are needed as homes for
the rapidly increasing population, and must
be so utilized. Whatever right and title the
indians have IN them is subject to and must
yield te the demands of civilization. They
should be protected in the permanent pos
session of all the land that is necessary for
their own support, and whatever Is ceded
by them should be paid for at its full mar
ket value; but it cannot be expected, under
any circumstances that these reservations
can remain intact, hindering the progress
OF civilization, requiring an army to pro-
tect them from the eneroachments OF home.
seekers and maintalng perpetual abode OF
savagery and animalism."
The report discusses at length the subject
of Indian education. The enrolment of
1udian pupils for the year ending June 30th,
has been 1926, an increase over last year OF
1919. The amount of the Congressional
appropriation for Indian education available
for the year to come is nearly two and q
quarter millions of dollars. The Commits
siuner regards the education of the Indians
as the only solution of the Indian problem.
Regarding contract schools the Commits
sioner recommends the maintenance of the
status quo for the present, but urges that
the appropriation OF public funds Tor sec
tartan education is contrary to the spirit OF
the Constitution, opposed to public policy,
and ought, at an early day, to he discon-
tinued. He expresses strong appreciation OF
the missionary work done among the ln-
dians by the churches, and thinks the
present time is peculiarly favorable for the
i.crease of such work.
LAND CASES DECIDED.
In the case of Mattern VS.. Nihell, involv-
ing pre-emption entry in the Los Angeles
District, on appeal from the Commissioner
decision, dismissing Julia a. Mattern's S
contest Acting Secretary Chandler m6difies
the Commissioners decision and directs O
cSleellation of the filing by Nihell.
Mattern's entry will stand subject to a
compliance with the law. In the case of
on appeal from the Commissioners decision,
disnissing his contest against the home
stead entry of the latter, for land in the
Seattle District, Washington, Acting Secre-
tary Chandler orders that all proceedings in
case of VI ork be set aside, from the filing OF
his affidavit of contest, and returns the case
to be remanded to the local office for hear
ing de noyo. The proper parties to the
contest shall be SO notified, If York shall
desire TO proceed. The case will lie read
judicated by the Commissioner after re-
port of the testimony. Acting Secretary
Chandler calls upon the Commissioner for
the record in the case of James Mccoy and
Michael Murphy VS.. the Central Pacific
Railroad Company. The Commissioner
decision is affirmed in the case OF Jesse
Blair ct al. VS.. the Central Pacific Railroad
Company ct al.
sURGEoN-GENERAL's REPORT.
Surgeon General Sutherland of the
United States Army, in his annual report
speaks of the efficiency of the hospital corps
urges the addition of Sc per month to the
pay of privates in this corps, as an induce.
ment 10 enlisted men to enter. The general
health of the army is better than last year.
All the medical officers who refer to the
canteen system approve it. with one excep
tion. Surgeon-General Sutherland recon-
mends systematic course OF athletic ex
ercises at each post, to improve the physique
of the men, as this does not follow military
drill.
RESERVE AGENTS APPROVED.
The following-named banks have been ap
proved as reserve agents by the Comptrolle
of the Currency:
First National Bank of New York for thu
First National Bank of Santa Ana, Cal.
The appointment of the United States Ma
tional Bank OF New York as reserve agen
for the First National Bank oil Santa Ana
CAL, has been revoked.
The Omaha National Bank has been ap
pointed reserve agent for the Pendletol
(Oregon) National Bank
ARMY MATTERS.
In the case of Samuel Ca ueron, now a