The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-07-14
UNCLE SANS WARDS.
4 CENSUS OFFICE ESTIMATE OF
WHIT THE INDLlN HAS COST.
The Exrense of the various Wars as Well
as the Civil Administration
IL Included


In the complete Indian census report,
just published, an interesting attempt Is
made for the first time TO cast up In
figures an aggregate OF the government
expenditures on account OF the red-men
residing within our borders since the
Union was established in 1883. The result
Of this remarkable attempt indicates in
the statistics presented that the gigantic
sum OF ona billion one hundred and hFe
million odd dollars 81. LOO, l3,3.Z) was
spent by the government up TO the year
1880 either upon the Indians directly, or
indirectly because of Indians. Counting
In. however. the civil and military eN-
pcnses for Indians since then, together
with Incidental expenses not recognized
m the official figures given, II is safe TO
say that up 10 June 30, 1872 a further sum
OF ylii,7S0 62s may be added 10 the forego-
ing figures. making a grand aggregate
OF sl,250O0).G00 chargeable 10 Indians 10
date.
The problem is such a difficult and IN
tricate one that II has never been at
tempted before The prime factors enter
ing into the problem are O) the expenses
OF the wars waged between the Federal
government and the Indian tribes sirce
the date mentioned and the maintenance
Of our standing army IA the vicinity OF
the reservations % the claims OF the
States FOR indemnity for expenses incurred
in rcpelling Indian invasions, CD the civii
and educational expenses on account OF
Indians. and 90 the cost Of pensions 10
the survivors or widows of soldiers serv-
ing in Indian wars.
wAEs WITH THE RrD MEN.
or course. a large amount or treasure
was spent In wars with the American In
dams prior 10 the establishment Of the
Federal government IN 1879. Indeed, ever
since the white man appeared within the
present territory Of the United States
there has been war almost continuity,
beginning on the Pacific side IN 1882 and
on the Atlantic side soon after the year
1000 Since the founding of our govern
ment the United States army. except
when engaged in the wars with Great
Britain and Mexico and during the re-
beillOn. has been used almost exclusively
in the Indian service. ana has been
stationed largely in the Indian country
or along the frontier.
In their calculation the Indian census
experts omit the army expenses incident
TO the wars with England and Mexico.
and the rebellion, with its sequel OF re-
construction. and safely count two-thirds
OF the total expenses Of the army as
chargeable directly or indirectly 10 the
Indians. The total expenses OF the army
from l7S9 to 1890 were found 10 he
&.I-b,52l $50, but deduc,ng S3,5l4,9ll,CW
for the foreign wars and the rebellion,
the remainder is Sl.2l0,6lO. iS7 Fully two
thirds Of this sum. or Ss97.0s3 e5s. It Is es-
timated was expended for Indian wars
and for army service against the Indians.
To this sum the census experts add the
expenses Of the Indian civil administra-
ton for the period tween 1889 and 1880.
amounting to 259,Si40S2, and 100000
more 10 reimburse particular States Tor
expenses incurred by them in Indian wars
and S2S.20l.o 32 more for pensions 70 sur
vlvors or widows Of Indian wars, and
then the total foots up to N,l6. A9,872.
Counting In. as suggested above. <lii.-
iS06-s for civil administration expenses
and Il prop3rtionate share of the army
expenses since 1880. the grand total be-
comes N,250c00.00O-a billion and a quar-
ter Of dollars
UNCLE SAM PAID TIE BILLS.
The Indian wars under the government
of the United States are stated TO nave
numbered more than forty and TO nave
cost the lives of about 1900 white men,
women and children. including abous
500 killed I'm individual encounters. or
which history takes no note. and OF 1900
Indians. Including $500 killed In personal
encounters.
II has been the policy Of the national
government since the year ISIS 10 refund
10 the States and Territories the moneys
paid ont by them in suppressing Indian
hostilitles. This liability is based on the
fact that the Federal government mas
treated the Indians either as nations or
as wards OF the nation, thus keeping
them from control by the several states.
Speaking OF the number OF Indians now
I'm the United States as shown by the re-
ports Of special agents. and the number
supposed TO have lived In the past the
census editor says: 1T is not probable
that the present area OF the United states
since the white man came has contained
at che tima more than 10000 Indians.
High estimates were made In the early
DAYS. but the average even then was
about 100000. In 1880 we have 2E.25}
civilized and unciviized Indians. Through
almost. four centuries warlike bands have
resisted. and many Of these Indians are
still resisting progress. There are NOT
ten tribes out Of any Of the 30 or more
now in the United States. but that have
been I'm revolt. and those existing as tribes
are now remnants. with few exceptions,
TOO poor or too few 10 fight. or they con-
slider IL too dangerous. w ashlngton
Star.