The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-10-06
THEINDIAN'S FUTURE.
Reservation System Must Be
Altogether Wiped Out.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER.
Yakima Red Men willing to Take Farms
in severalty-If They Do, 100000
Acres Land Will Be Opened.

WASHINGTON CITY, oct. o.-Ihe commits
sioner of Indian affairs. in his annual re-
port. says he thinks the great forces now at
work, allotment of lands in sever
atty, with its accompanying dissolution of
the tribal relation and the breaking up
Of the reservation, destruction of the
agency systems citizenship, and all that
belongs ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS privilege
and duty; education, which seeks to bring
the rising generation of Indians into
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 reasonable length of time,
accomplish their beneficent ends. The re-
port discusses at length the political
status of the Indians. tracing the evolution
of the present policy of dealing with the
Indians as wards. After a careful histor-
ical survey, the commissioner draws a
number of conclusions.
He thinks the time has come for a de-
claration by congress to the effect that
hereafter 1t will not recognize Indians as
competent to make war; that they shall
be treated, not as belligerents, but as SUBJ
lects; that the general government has a
right. both for it's own protection, for the
promotion of the public welfare, and for
the good of the Indians. not only to estab-
ish schools in which children may be pre-
pared for citizenship, but also to use what
ever force may be necessary to secure
Indian children the benefit of these insti-
tutions. The commissioner submits that
the time is at hand for extension over the
Indians of the protection and privileges of
our courts. Meanwhile the development
on the Indian reservations of courts of In
dian otfenses, 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. The commissioner con-
tinues:
Iventure also to ask 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 be
represented on the floors of Congress The time
has come when the Pueblo Indians should be
admitted by special act OF congress to enjoyment
OF all the rights of citizens OF the United States,
according to the principles of the constitution,
contemplated by the treaty of Guadalupe
Hidalgo. The definite determination by the
highest authority OF the actual political status
OF the Indians is necessary as the basis of wise
legislation, and to the satisfactory administra-
ton of Indian affairs.
After giving an account of the progress
made in the allotment of lands to Indians
during the past year the commissioner
says:
This radical and far-reaching revolution in
the social status OF the Indians Is making salts
factory progress. Land In severalty has in it
the promise and the potency of great things,
but only that in many cases 1t brings unutter-
able woe and in all it is liable to leave the In
dams worse off than before.
He further says:
am not in receipt of enough information,
nor, indeed, has sufficient time elapsed, to en-
able me to judge of the practical results OF the
allotment policy. l have seen things during the
year, however, to lead me to change my views
as to its ultimate success.
Regarding reduction of the reservations,
which has proceeded with great rapidity
during the year, the report says:
While 1t is possible to push this work too
rapidly, Perhaps do not hesitate to say that
the ultimate destruction of the entire system OF
reservations is inevitable. There is no place for
1t In our present condition. The millions of
acres OF Indian lands now lying absolutely I'M
used are needed as homes for our rapidly in
creasing population, and must be so utilized.
Whatever right and title the Indians have in
them is subject to and must yield to the de-
manos OF civilization. They should be pro-
tected In the permanent possession OF all this
land that 10 necessary for their own support,
ana Whatever tsnot needed by them should be
paid for at its full market value, but it cannot
De expected, under any circumstances, that
THESE reservations can remain intact, hindering
the progress of civilization, requiring an army
TO protect them from the encroaehments of
home seekers, and maintaining q perpetual
abode OF savagery and animalism.
The report discusses at length the sub
Ject OF Indian education. The enrolment
OF Indian pupils for the year ending June
80 has been 1925, an increase over last
year OF 1,549. The amount of congressional
appropriations for Indian education avail
able for the year to come is nearly 81, 1885,
OU0. The commissioner regards the edu-
cation OF the Indians as the only solution
OF the Indian problem. Regarding con-
tract schools, the commissioner recon-
mends the maintaining of the status quo
Tor the present, but urges that the appro-
priation of public funds for sectarian
education Is contrary to the spirit of the
constitution and opposed to the public
policy, and ought at an early date to be
discontinued. He expresses strong appre-
CATION OF the missionary work done
among the Indians by the churches, and
thinks the present time is peculiarly
favorable Tor increase ofsuch work.