The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-07
Indian Lanns--he Public Dominica
ucation OF the Red Men.

The work OF the interior department., always
very burdensome, has been larger than ever be-
fore during the administration of Secretary
Noble. The disability pension law, the taking
o. the eleventh census, the opening CT vast areas
of Indian lands 10 settlement, the organization
OF Oklahoma and negotiations for the cession
of Indian lands furnish some of the particulars
o. the increased work, and the results achieved
testify to the ability, fidelity and industry OF
the head of the department and his efficient
assistants. Several i'm pOrtant agreements for
the cession NEGOTIATED by the Iowa commission
appointed under the act OF March ., 1889,
are awaiting the act OF congress-. Per
haps. the most important OF these is
that for the cessiou of the Cherokee strip. This
has been a source OF great vexation to the execu-
tive's representatives, owing to the great fric-
ton Injured between the settlers in their desire
to occupy aud the Indians who assert title. The
agreement which has been made by the COM
nilsson is perhaps the most satisfactory that
could have been reached. 1t will be noticed
that it is conditioned upon its ratification by
congress before March 4, 1893 The secretary of
the interior. who has given the subject careful
thought, the ratification of the
agreement, aud l am Inclined to follow this
recommendation. 1t is certain that some action
by which this controversy snail be brought to
an end and The lands opened to settlement is
uFTfsse e form of government provided by congress,
on May Il. 1885, Tor Alaska was in its frame and
purpose temporary. The increase of population
and the development of some important min.
Ing ana commercial interests maze 1t impera-
tive that the law should be revised anu better
provision made Tor the arrest and punishment
Of criminals.
The report of the secretary shows o very
gratifying state of affairs IS to tho con-
dition of the general land Office. The
work OF Issuing agricultural patents, which
seemed to he hope!essly in arrears when
the present secretary undertook tire duties OF
his office has been go expedited that the
relief thus Afforded to honest aud worthy
settlers upon the pubic lands. thus
giving them an assurance OF title to their en-
tries, has been OF lncalculable benefit in devel-
oping the new states and territories. The court
OF private land claims established by congress
for the promotion of this policy of speedily set
Ting contested land titles is making satisfactory
progress III its work. and when The work is
completed d great impetus vii! be given 10 the
CLAIMS under Mexican grants have so long ex-
erted their repTessive influence. When 10 these
results are added the orTnal cession of Indian
iauds which have been opened to settlement,
agGregating during this administration nearly
2o.OO0, 900 acres, and il is that agree
fnents are negotiating and now pending In con-
gress Tor ratification by which about 10000. 90
additional acres will be oueued to settle meut, it
will be- seen how much has been ned.
The work III the Indian bureau in the policy
OF recent legislation has been largely directed
TO two purposes: The allotment OF lands in sew
crafty 10 Indians and the addition of surplus
lands. and secondly, the work of educating the
lniIans Tor their own protection, for close con-
tact with white men and for the Intelligent ex-
erclse OF new citizenship. Ailotments have
oeen made and patents issued TO $500 Indians
under the present secretary and commissioned,
and additional allotmeuts have been made Tor
which patents are now in process of prepara-
ton. The schoo. attendance of Indian children
has been increased over Il per cent, the enroll.
1nent !or 1892 being nearly 1900. A uni
form system of school text BOOKS and of
study has been adopsei and the work in
these national schools brought IS near as
may be TO the basis OF the free common schools
OF the states. The schools can be transferred
and merged into the common school system OF
the states when ths Indian has fully assumed
his rev relation to the organized civil COM
mHniiy IL which he resides. and The new states
aIe atlc 10 assume the burden. I have
seyera? times teen called upon to remove
lndisa agents appointed by me, and have done
So promptly upon every sustained cornpIaInr
oil uuhtuess or misconaUCr. / believe. however,
THAT iAc Indian service a. the agencies has been
improved and Is Low adInicistered on ths
whola with Il good degree OF efficiency. II any
!tsisiaton Is possible by when tne selection OF
Indian agents can he wholly removed from
gil partisan suggestion or considerations
L am sure 1t would be a gre = relief to the ex-
ecut!Ve anu "a 4enetit TO tUc service. The appro-
pftation tor the subsistence OF the Cheyenne
ana AEapahoe Indians made n tie Inst session
OF congress was inadequate. This smaller ap-
propr alton was estimated for by the commits.
sioner upon the theory that the large fund be-
longing 10 the tE.oe III th& public treasury could
De aad ought TO BE used :Jr ;heir support. In
Yle", however,. OK the pending depreciation
tons the secretary u the interior IN April last
AZ limited q 81; elemental estimate fog $4,000.
Iils appropriation was net male rs it snoali
nave 5SEu. The oversight ought 10 b. reEaeliei
81 me earliest poss.b.a date
IL Il speC!al message to- this congress 81 tho
LAST session / stated the reasons ny | had not
approved the deed for the release 10 the United
states by the Choctaw ard Ch+ckasags OF tie
lanes formerly embraced ii the Cheyenne and
ArapaEoe reservation snd remaining alter atlot-
neHts 10 that tribe. \ resolution O the senate
Expressing TIE opinion Z. that body, notwItl-
standing the facts stated Z nay special message.
taat TIE deed should DC epproved ana the IT onev,
s@,f3i, To- paid over, was presented 10 me Nav ~.
joy- My special message WAS Intended 20 cali
attention to the fact that :: IS conceded that tie
appropriation pEoceedei upon 81 false basis ss 10
the amount a. the Janis - he paid tor. aud IS
by s3.oo in excess 81 the amount thew
are entitled 10, evea ii their claim