Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-06-07

ton of those rentals to the tribe, per
capita, annually. This mode of distribu
fetal to the tribe.
Prior to 1886, or whereabouts, no cleo
lions of delegates to the Legislature were
held. The Governor and lieutenant gov
ernor of the tribe had been elected for life,
and such delegates were appointed by the
Governor of the tribe. Dissatisfaction
was expressed by portion of the tribe
who desired a more democratic form of
government Quite good deal of Ill feel
ing existed for several years. Agreements
were entered into by the factions but not
sacredly kept. party spirit ran high. in
dividual quarrels were frequent. In 1866,
tho Legislature enacted law providing
for elections by one party one year, the
other the following year and so on alter
nately, neither party to have any voice in
the others elections. That custom has
been continued to the present time.
Their agricultural pursuits are not SO
abundantly successful as desired, although
they produce sufficient to cover the
bounty on crops" which the State an
nually appropriates for their encourage
ment in that direction. The young and
middle aged members are usually at
spring planting time, in the employ of the
lumbermen on the drives, getting the
winters product of logs to market Which,
in part, accounts for lack of interest, if
such exists, in farming as a livelihood.
The men are experts in the manufacture
Of canoes. Birch bark which was former
ly used exclusively for the outside cover
ing for canoes has, of late, become scarce
and substitute of canvas Is used and
proves to be superior to bark unless the
latter is of the best quality and this kind
is now difficult to obtain. Large guam
Titles of baskets are annually manufac
tured by them. The men procuring tho
ash from the swamps The sticks are us
ually from six to twelve inches in diam
eter and eight to ten or twelve feet in
length. These butts, as they are called.
are pounded with the poll Of the axe until
the layers are loosened when 1t is peeled
or pulled off In thick strips, coarse and
rough and is restripped and separated to
the thinness of heavy paper. Scraped
portions dyed and packed away to be used
by the nimble fingers of the female men,
bers in weaving into the pretty and at
tractive baskets which are so frequently
seen. Sweet grass. obtained from the
marshes, is also worked into their basket
weaving Their new and original designs
show marked ingenuity. About all their
products are purchased at the agency in
exchange for goods. and disposed of by the
agent in all parts of the country as best he
can, sometimes at a loss, as they must be
gotten rid of at some price In order to
keep the members of the tribe employed
They are inclined to anticipate their
unearned wages for driving, products,
state dividends, etc, and quite an amount
Is needed to meet their requirements
They. at times, owe quite large amounts
which are paid when the logs arrive at
their destination and they are paid for
their labor. Their advances are made and
as much reliance placed on their integrity
and honor, in regard to payment of debts,
as Is usual with the same class of white
men.
Through the instrumentality of Rt.
Rev. JAS A. Healy, Bishop of Portland,
a colony of Sisters Of Mercy was estab-
lished in 1878, house being rented tenn
porarily for their accommodation. The
primary object, was with view to train the
girls, teach them sewing, cooking. and
other domestic arts, and particularly to
instill womanly modesty to which the
wigwam was not conducive. Soon after
their location, sidewalk was constructed
from their house to the church. The idea
of which, originated with the women of
the tribe and the expense incurred was
paid by them. During the winter Of 10
and 80, the construction of the present
convent, which they have since occupied,
was commenced. The advent of the sis.
tiers was wise provision. Their work
has been OF very marked advantage to the
tribe. Some one of their number has
taught the school on Old Town Indian Is
land since their settlement and the schol- |
ars, under their teaching, have advanced
considerably. The school now compares
favorably with those Of their white neigh
bors. A new schoolhouse has lately been
built at cost of $1,000, of which sum the |
State appropriated 5000, the members of
the tribe providing the remainder.
The agent for the tribe Is appointed for |
a term of four years. He does not. by any
means, find bed of roses. The posi- |
ton has Its perplexities, vexations, care, |
anxiety, etc, for which the scant salary of |
two hundred dollars (S20O.) yearly seems |
an inadequate remuneration. For ali |
that few die and none resign" and it |
is considered q sufficiently desirable |
plum" to create applicants for 1t when |
an agents term approaches expiration. |