Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-10-03
ABOUT INDIAN AFFAIRS
The Facts Stated in the Annual Report Of
the Commissioner.
He FavOrs the Placing of Indian
Funds for Sectarfan Schools.

The annual report Of D. NJ. Browning,
the commissioner Of Indian affairs, was
submitted today to the Secretary of the In
terror.
He reports progress in the work of the
allotment of lands to Indians and also in
constructing systems of irrigation. He
states that the year has been unmarked by
any outbreak or disturbance of any kind
The aggregate Of appropriations available
during the year was SIC. 100000.
The aggregate enrolment for the year has
been p, 1,45l. with an average attendance of
1905. against 21,I17 enrolment and 16,3OS
attendance for the previous year. There
has been an increase in the enrolment of
government boarding schools on reserva-
tions and a falling of in government day
schools. The commissioner notes an edu-
cational awakening among the Navajoes,
which he attributes to a visit of delega-
tion to the worlds fair. The defects in most
Indian schools. he says. are bad water sup
ply and sewerage. The commissioner says
that contracts for schooling of Indians have
been declined or reduced wherever 1t could
be done without depriving the children of
school privileges.
The average attendance In the various
classes Of schools is given as follows: Gov
ernment schools, 11,S13; contract schools,
5,OS7; public day schools and mission schools
not assisted by the government. 1906
The report states that no children have
been forced to attend schools away from
their reservation homes The opinion Is ex-
pressed that the ultimate end Of absorbing
the Indian population into our school
system, as well as our civil policy, must be
kept constantly In view and every effort
made. by pressure and persuasion, to in
crease the attendance of Indian pupils at
public schools"
FavOrs the Public Schools.
This policy. the report states, will be
vigorously pushed. and the local authorities
will be encouraged by money payments to
cooperate with the government in getting
the Indian children into the public schools.
A reduction of $4,000 in the amount appro-
priated for contract schools was made, as
compared with the preceding year. The
total appropria ton was S461 ,SS5. The amount
for Roman Catholic schools is reduced from
$3.50, 745 to $3j9,215; Presbyterian, $36,34O to
none; Congregational, s10.s25 to none.
The report indorses the opinion expressed
by the last Indian commissioner that the
laws prohibit the sale of liquor to Indians
who have received allotments, but who are
still under the charge Of an agent Of the
United States. He states that it is unfortu-
nate that 1t is impracticable to secure a
decision from the Supreme Court. those Of
the district courts being unfavorable.
The commissioner IS of the opinion that
the act Of May g. 1891. relating to Indian
depreciation claims should either be repeal
ed or amended SO as to place upon the
United States the sole responsibility and
ultimate liability for the payment of judg-
mentS FdtneF tndn 10 take the money
the Indian funds.
For Religious Organizations.
During the past year lands have been set
apart within the several Indian reserva-
tions for the temporary use and occupancy
of missionary and religious societies as fol-
lows:
Wichita, Oklahoma, 16O acres, American
Baptist Home Missionary Society; Quapaw
1. T., 40, Roman Catholic; Klamath, Oreg
16O. Methodist Episcopal; Yakima, Wash.
16O, Roman Catholic; Moquis. Ariz., 49,
Mennonite Mission Society; Crow, Mont,
10, Roman Catholic; Fort Peck, Mont, 40
Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions:
Lower Brule, S. D., 2, Presbyterian; San
Carlos. Ariz., 10, Evangelical Lutheran Gen.
eral Synod of Wisconsin: Cheyenne and
Arapahoe. Oklahoma. q Plymouth Congre-
gational; Pine Ridge, S. D.. 49, Protestant
Episcopal; Rosebud, s. D.. 12O Protestant
Episcopal; Warm Springs Greg, IA, United
Presbyterian; White Earth, Mimi, 81,
Protestant Episcopal; White Earth, Minn.,
80, Roman Catholic; Navajo, N. NJ, Pro-
testant Episcopal; Blackfeet, Mont, 100,
Methodist Episcopal Church; Fort Ber-
thold, n. D., 40. Congr .gational; Oneida.
Wis, i, Protestant Episcopal