The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-11-30

owners the highest possible value. What
Is best for the Indians-to keep their land
or to sell 1t? If the members of a tribe
to be able to progress still further by sell
ing a portion or their land, then sales should
be made; but the land should not be pur-
chased from the Indians at the best bar
gain the United States can make. 1t should
be sod for the Indians by the United
trustee and obtaining for the Indians every
dollar the land viii bring. The policy of the
6 6e to- reeoanis saq the ef lame ins Of ae tse Indian I reserl
walton as the property of the particular
Indians who own 1t. The different lands
value can be Increased and how they can
be rendered most profitable. There are
ample public lands in the United States for
homeSeekers; can We not be satisfied to
allow to be administered in behalf of the
Indians the little we have left them?
II recommend that the general allotment
act be so amended as to insure to any
Indian who shall settle upon and improve
a particular tract, under the direction of his
tract by giving him a preference right
to select 1t when allotments are made. or
course 1t would be necessary to limit this
right to the quantity of land allowed him
under the allotment act. ~
'In the management of the Indian schools
4 = ds inIsbed pia must rSr Always anS tna'i 81 Mne vie sSn0G If
practical results are expected from his
education. The two lines of work open for
Indians can be classified as being upon the
reservation and in the cities and towns
away from the reservation. Education
should be praeucaiy airectea WIN a vleW
he is to remain away from his former home
and to enter the struggle, of life in our
his education should be as broad and as
liberal as possible. sBut If he is to return
to the reservation, to the place of his birth,
development of the resources of the reserva-
ton, then his education should be directed
especially with a view to the life he will
1ood r,Von tho raCoruafinp ay6 IN the nnagi-
bilities or the reservation itself.
1.-The contract schools are now the SUBJ
ject of general discussion. i agree fully
with those who oppose the use of public
money for the support OF sectarian schools.
But this question should be considered prac-
tically. The schools have grown up. Money
has been invested In their construction at
a time when they We're recognized as wise
good. I do not think il proper to allow the
intense feeling of opposition to sectarian
education, which is showing itself all over
regard existing conditions. We need the
schools now, or else We need a large appro-
p~riaticn to build schools to AXE their place.
1t would scarcely be just to abolish them
entirely-to abandon instantly a policy so
long recognized My own suggestion is tina
less than 20 per cent a year
FIELD NATIONS.
The Secretary urges a liberal appropria-
ton for field mstrons. Upon this subject he
says: 81 wish to refer especially to an
other line Of work for the benefit OF the
Indians. that can be accomplished at but
little comparative expense. The small sum
spent for fed matrons has probably done
more good than the expenditure of any
other amount several times as large. It
was started four years ago with 5000 a
year. Now 5000 is allowed for that pur-
pose. Congress, at its last session, was
urged to increase the amount to $19. 900, but
this was not done. 1 have no doubt that
$4,000 spent in this wav would accomplish
more than any $4,000 spent in any school
that We support. These good women. thus
employed, 90 from house to house among
the Indians, helping to instruct and to
civilize the Indian women, too old now
to enter school. but still, young enough to
learn something of wornanly responsibility.
They help at once TO place some of the
comforts OF civilization in the Indian home.
Their work influences all of the tr be and
il prepares places for the school children
when they return to their parents some
the schools"
An ers.4dix to the reports publishes in
full the report of the commissioners to
the five civilized tribes. The Secretary calls
attention TO the duty which rests upon the
United state; TO PTeserTe law and order
sists IL the right TO do so cannot be OBJ
tanned by agreement with the tribes, ii
must be enforced as a matter of duty
without regard to the wishes of those who
control the tribes. He does not specifically
recommend the organization of a new Ter
ritory, but does urge that the courts in
Arkansas and Texas be abandoned and
that the jurisdiction of the United States
courts De extended over the Territory
give an opportunity for the members of
the various tribes who feel that they are
deprived OF their just quota of lands TO
petition the United States courts for allot-
ments in severalty of the portions to which
they are respectively entitled. By a resort
TO such means, those Indians who wish
their lands in severalty could obtain them.
and thus gradually, at least. the holding of
lands in common would pass away. and
they would be held by individuals.
Referring to the sale OF liquor to the In
dams, the Secretary condemns in strong
terms the establishment of saloons upon
the line OF Indian reservations and calls
attention to the decision of Judge b. Eli
linger. of the district of Oregon. to the
effect that the sale of liquor 10 an Indian
who has received his land in severalty, is
not in violation OF law because by aliot-
ment, he has become a citizen. II this de-
cision Is right, 1t presents another argu-
ment against the speedy allotment of
lands in severalty TO Indians.
The Secretary devotes considerable space
TO the OF lands in severalty to
Indians, agreements. and the work of the
various commissions. the essential points
OF which have been printed in reports of
subordinates.
PENSIONS.
The most important bureau in the depart
ment is treated thus briefly:
AT the close of the fiscal year ending
Juuc OO, 4oJfr SuJ,Off pcuSlOlieIS were borne
upon the rolls, an increase OF 1852 pension
ers during the year. The pensioners may
be classed as follows:
Soldiers and sailors. .................. 753, 96S
Widows, orphans, and other dependent
leialves l62
Army Ala
these 1860 pensioners are on account
or Indian and other wars prior 10 the late
war. and 5.42s widows. orphans and other
dependent relatives. Under the act OF June
q. 1880. there are 375.0S4 pensioners and
1890 widows and orphans. 1t is interesting
TO note that nine widows and three daugh-
terS OF veterans OF the Revolution sonsti-
tute the pension roll for that war. Forty
five survivors OF the war or 1872 cor stftute
the remnant Of that list. The total mount
expended for pensions during the past fiscal
year was $3s. 804, 461-e. leaving a balance
from the appropriation In the treasury or
So. 200. 712.65. The estimate for the fiscal year
1896 made by the Commissioner Is 81; 900, coo.
The Commissioners states that, in his
opinion, the year 1895. thirty years after
the close or the last war. must in the ma