The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1891-12-17
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
The Indian Problem Discussed and
Rncnn m q nd atinns Ofnred

The Indian Problem Discussed and
Recomme atoms Offered.
The report of the secretary of the interior
shows that very gratifying progress has been
made in all of the bureaus which make up that
complex difficult department.
THE OUTBREAK AMONG TIE SIOUX,
which occurred in December last, is, as to its
causes and incidents, fully reported upon by the
war department and the department of the in
terror. That these Indians had some just COM
paints, especially in the matter of the reduction
OF the appropriation for ratiOus aud III the de-
lays attending the enactment of laws to enable
the department to perform the engagements
tered into with them, is probably true; but the
Sioux tribes are naturally Warllke and turbu-
lent, and their warriors were excited by their
medicine men and chiefs. who preached the COM
ing of all 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 fatalities which
would have resulted from an Indian mcursiOn
placed at the disposal OF Gen. Miles, command
ing the division OF the Missouri, all such forces
were thought by him to be required. He is
entitled to the credit of having given thorough
protection to the settlers and bringing the hos
tiles into subsection with the least possible loss
OF life
The appropriation of S2,991 $50 for the
Choctaws and Chckasaws, contained in the
general Indian appropriation bill OF March 3,
1891, has not been expended, for the reason
that have not yet approved release to the
government OF the Indian claim to the lands
mentioned. This matter will be made the sub
all the facts which have come to my knowk
edge
LAND IN sEvERALTY.
The good work of reducing the larger Indian
reservations by alotmentS i'll seTeralty to the
Indians, and the Cession of tie 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 l was enabled to open to settlement in the
Territory of Oklahoma SOC, 600 acres of land,
all of which was taken up by settlers in a single
day. The rush for these lands was accompanied
by great deal OF excitement, but was happily
free from incidents of violence.
1t was q source of great regret that was not
able to open at the same time the surplus lands
amounting to about 100000 acres, by
reason of the insuticiency of the
appropriation for making the allotments.
Deserving and impatient settlers waiting to
occupy these lands, and urgently recommend
that q special deficiency appropriation be
promptly made of the small amount needed, so
that the allotments may be completed and the
settlers to get upon their homesteads in the
early spring.
have been greatly rejo1ced to notice many
evidences Of the increased unifcation of our peo
pie and of q revived national spirit. The vista
that now opens to us Is wider and more glorious
| than ever before. Qualification and amaZement
struggle for supremacy as we contemplate the
country. A trust, momentous in its influence
upon our people and upon the world, Is for o
brief time committed to US, and we must not be
faithless to its first conditionthe defense OF the
| free and equal influence Of the people In the
| choice of public officers and in the control OF
public affairs. BENJAMIN HARRISON.
Executive N ansion, Dec. 0, 1891.