Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1892-06-16
10. THE POOR INDIAN!
The Ward of Uncle Sam.
How the Untutored Savage is Cared
For.

WASHINGTON. ID. g.. May 20, 1892.
En-. Regtster-As variety of causes
have Of late cOnspired to stimulate
public opinion and discussion OF the
sO-called Indian problem, and as few
people, believe. fully understand the
relation of the Indians to the L. S.
exposition of Indian affairs, 50 far as /
am able to give it, might prove inter-
esting to your many readers.
To begin with, many people have a
notion that the L. S. Government pro-
vides for the Indians simply as mat
ter of gratuity or charity, hence the
sentiment often heard: The Govern
ment ought to stop feeding and clothing
the Indians. and compel them to work
like other people" This is an error
occasioned by lack of knowledge ofthe
situation.
At the time Of the discovery and set
tiement of America the many Indian
tribes inhabiting that portion now en-
braccd within the limits of the Unit
ed States We're recognized by the vari-
Gus governments under whose authority
the settlements by the whites were
made. and by each other. as separate.
distinct and independent political com
munities. capable of maintaining the
relations of peace and war. Under the
laws and customs of nations the several
governments under whose authority
and by whose subjects this country was
discovered and settled became entitled
to the right to preempt the land from
the nations as against each other and
all other European powers. The
English Government never attempted
to interfere with the internal affairs of
the Indian tribes further than to keep
out the agents Of foreign powers. They
were considered as nations competent
to maintain the relations of peace and
war, and to govern themselves under
the protection of the Government Of
Great Britain.
After the war of the Revolution, or
upon the attainment of independence,
the United States succeeded to the
rights OF Great Britain. and continued
policy instituted by that Government.
The protection given was understood by
all parties as only binding the Indians
to the Government Of the United States
4s dependent 0jlies.
As the settlement of the Country adj
and as the demands of an in
sreasing population required, the
United States adopted the policy Of ex-
-inguishing, as far as possible, the title
Of the various tribes to the territory to
which each respectively claimed right
md Of devoting to each tribe, a
separate. distinct district or reservation |
IF land of smaller area, within whose |
1-4IiNS 9LS4l L1Dt vas p!otSICcd III ChS
enjoyment Of modified or local |
sovereignty. These treaties date back |
o the earliest years Of our government, |
and some to the time Of the ''Articles |
IF Confederation. But by an act Of |
If March 3, 1871. further treaties were
Orbidden, declaring the Indians not
urther Independent nations, tribes or
powers, nor subject TO treaty rights:
nut this. Of course, did not invalidate
hose already made. This seems to
lave been done to simplify and expedite
in order that the guard
anship OF their rights might be more
and equitably performed.
Many of these early treaties by which
he Indians ceded their laws, contained,
eside the purchase price OF the ceded
aw. an agreement to give them annu-
lily. certain supplies, goods and mon
vs. Thus it will be seen that the
indians are not pensioners on the
ounty of the Government, but that all
hey get is due them under treaty stip-
Iations. and other forms OF contract
made from time to time with them by
he United States.
The Government adopted the plan OF
the Indians as wards, hold
ng money from sale of their lands, in
rust, investing it and paying over the
interest at proper times.
Thus large amount of money is
eld now; no less than S26, 900, 10000
eing to the credit of the various tribes.
instead of Lo, the poor Indian" it is
i many cases, 10" the rich Indian.
he Creek General Fund is $4,000, 900, |
ne Chickasaw National Fund. 81 ,O00,-
O0.O0, the Usage Fund, IS, 900, 10000,
ne Seminole General Fund, 81 1,500,-
30. 90, the Sisseton and Wahpeton {
und. 1859, 10000. These are few {
the large sums, the whole aggregat-
lg, as before said, S26, 900, 10000. !
wing an annual interest OF S1,310,- :
69.49.
/ said that all of the money used for
lie Indians was money rightfully due {
lem, and that nothing was given them I
: er,.a+Tri+r This IL not the exact fact: 4