The Progress. (Shreveport, La.) 1892-1900, 1894-12-08

The report of the secretary OF the interior
exhibits the situation OF the numerous and in
teresting branches Of the public service con-
nected with his department. | commend this
report and the valuable recommendations Of
the secretary to the careful attention of the
congress, The public land disposed Of during
the year amounted to l,0D,6l0,077 acres, in.
Guiding 2sS76Q5 of Indian lands.
tits estimated that the public domain ma no sti IN
remaining amounts to little over 60O000COO
acres, excluding however, about 36O0oO,OOO
acres in Alaska as we'll as military reserva-
lions aud railroad and other selections OF land
vet unadjudicated. The cash receipts from
the sale OF lands amounted to 1854, 1919 in
Guiding SOL 9Sl. 03 received for Indian lands.
An exceedingly important recommendation
of the secreta y relates to the manner in which
contested and litigated cases growing out OF
efforts to obtain government land are deter
mined These cases numbering three or 1our
Thousand annually, are sent by the local officers
to the commissioner Of the general land office
for his action. The exigencies Of his other
duties oblige him to act upon decisions OF the
registers and receivers without an opportunity
| of thorough personal examination.
| Though the condition Of the Indians show
steady and healthy progress, their situation is
not satisfactory at all points Some of them to
whom allotments Of land have been made are
| found to be unable or diSinclined to follow
manage their land. This is especially
true of the Cheyennes and Arapahoes
who, as it appears, by reports of thelr, agent
have in many instances never been located
| upon their allotments and in some cases do not
even know where their allotments are. Their
| condition has deteriorated. They are not
self-supporting and they live IN camps and
spend their lives in idleness have always
believed that alotments OF reservation LANDS
to Indians in severalty should be made spar
ingly, or at least slowly, and with the utmos:
| caution.
am convinced that the proper solution OF
the Indian problem and the success OF every
step taken In that direction depends to very
large extent npon the intelligence and honesty
of the reservation agents and the interest they
have in their work.
The indications are that the detail OF army
officers as Indian agents will result in improved
management of the reservations. l am no.
only disposed to be very cautious in making al
lotments. but l am inclined to agree with tht
! secretary OF the interior in the nplnlol
J that when allotments are made I'M
balance of reservation land remaining afte
allotment instead of being bought by the gov
eminent from the Indians and opened 10
settlement with such scandals and unfair prac
tces as seem unavoidable. should remain, Tor
time at least, as common land or be sold by TN
government on behalf of the Indians IN al
. orderly way and at fixed prices to be deter
mined by its location and deslraDlllty, an
that the proceeds less expense. should be hei'
!, in trust for the benefit OF the Indian pre-
The Intelligent Indian school management
the past year has been followed by gratlfyln
results Efforts have been made TO advanc
the work in sound and practical manner