The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-12-05


cred with timber. which should be prop
erly reserved as permanent sources Of tim
Der supply
The suggestion that a change be made
in the manner Of securing surveys of the
public lands is especially worthy of con-
sideraion. / am satisfied that these sur
veys should be made by corps Of COM
petent surveyors under the immediate con-
troll and direction OF the commissioner OF
the general land office.
An exceedingly important recommendation
OF the secretary relates to the manner in
which contests and litigated cases growing
out Of efforts to obtain government land are
determined The entire testimony upon
which these controversies depend in all their
stages is taken before the local registers and
receivers. and yet these officers have nc
power to subpoena witnesses, or to enforce
their attendance 10 testify. These cases
numbering three four thousand annually
are sent by the local officers to the commits
sioner Of the general land Office for his ac-
ton. The exigencies Of mis- other duties
obllge him TO act upon the decisions of the
registers and receivers without an oppOr-
tunity of thorough personal examination.
Nearly two thousand of these cases are
appealed annually from the commissioner to
the secretary Of the interior. Burdened with
other important administrative duties. his
determination Of these appeals. must be al
most perfunctory, and based upon the ex-
animation Of others. though this determina-
ton OF the secretary operates as a final
adjudication upon rights of very great inn
portance. I concur in the opinion that the
commissioner Of the general land Office
should be relieved from this duty Of de-
Gliding hdgated land cases. that non-par-
tisan court should be created to pass on
such cases: and that the decisions OF this
court should be final at least so far as the
decisions OF the department are now final.
The proposed court might be given authori-
" to certify questions in matter Of especial
importance TO the supreme court OF the
United States or the court of appeals for
the District of Columbia for decision. The
creation of such tribunal would expedite
the disposal Of cases, and insure decision of
more satisfactory character The registers
and receivers. who originally hear and de-
eide these disputes. should be invested with
authority to compel witnesses to attend and
testify before them
Condition of the Indians.
Though the condition Of the Indians
shows a steady and healthy progress.
the situation is not satisfactory at all
points. Some of the Indians. to whom al
lotments of land have been made. are
found to be unable or disinclined to fol-
low agricultural pursuits, or to otherwise
beneficially manage their land. This is
especially true of the Cheyennes and
Arapahoes, who, it appears. by reports
of the agent, have in many instances
never been located upon their alotments,
and in some cases do not even know
where the allotments are Their condi-
ton has deteriorated. They are not self
supporting, and they live in camps and
spend their time in idlcness.
l have always believed that allotments
of reservation lands to Indians in sew
crafty should be made sparingly. or at
least slowly. and with the utmost eau
ton. In these days, when the white agri-
culturallsts and stock-raisers OF expert
ence and intelligence find their lot hard
one. we ought not to expect Indians, un-
less far advanced in civilization and
habits Of industry. to support themselves
on the small tracts OF land usually al
lOtted to them. If the self-supporting
scheme by allotment fails the wretched
pauperism of the allottees which results
Is worse than their original condition of
regular dependence. 1t is evident that
the evil consequences of ill-advised allot-
ment are intensified in cases where the
false step can not be retraced. on account
OF the purchase by the government of
reservation lands remaining after allot-
ments are made, and the disposition Of
such remaining lands 20 settlers or pur-
clasers from the government.
l am convinced that the proper solution
Of the Indian problem and the success Of
every step taken in that direction depend
u very large extent upon the intelli-
gence and honesty Of the reservation
agents and the interest they have in their
work. An agent fitted for his place can
10 much toward preparing the Indians
under his charge for citizenship and al
lotment of their lands, and his advice as
Ia any matter concerning their welfare
viii not mislead. An enfit agent will
make no effort u advance the Indians on
his reservation toward civilization or
preparation for allotment of lands in
seVe lty, and his opinion as to their con-
dition in this and other regards is heed
less and valueess.
The indications are that the detail of
amy officers as Indian agents will result
in improved management on the reserva-
tons.
Whenever aIIotments are made and any
Indian on the reservation has previously
settled upon lot and cultivated il, or
shown a disposition TO improve it in any
way, such lot should certainly be allotted
u him, and this should be made plainly
obligatory by statute. In me light Of ex-
IerienCe, ana considering the uncertainty
OF the indian situation, and It's eXigencies
iE the future. / am not only disposed 10 be
Very cautious in making allotments, but
7 incline 10 agree with the secretary of
the interior in the opinion that when
allotments are made. the balance of
reservation land remaining after allot-
ment instead of being bought by the
government from the Indians, and
opened for settlement. with such scandals
and unfair practices as seem unavOid-
able. should remain for a time at least
as common land. or be sold by the gov
ernmen1, on bchaif Of the Indians in an
orderly way, ana at fixed prices to be
determined by its location and desirab bill
iJy and that the proceeds, less expenses
should be he'd in trust for the benefit OF
the Indian prOprietors.
The intelligent Indian school manage
mert Of the past year has been followed
By gratifying results. Efforts have been
made TO advance the work in a sound and
practical manner. Five institutes of In
dian teachers have been he'd during the
year. and nave proved very beneficial
through the views exchanged. and methods
discussed. particularly Applicable 10 Indian
education. Efforts are being made in the
direction Of a gradual reduction Of the
number of Indian contract schools. so that
In a comparatively short time they may
give way altogether 10 government schools,
and il is hoped that the change may be 50
gradual as TO be perfected without too
great expense to the government, or undue
disregard Of investments made by those
who have established and are maintaining
such contract schools.
The appropriation for the current year.
ending June 30. 1895, applicable TO the or
dinarxr expnnsas If tho Indian cart-ioa