The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1896-12-12
IN THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
Public Lands, BOnd-Aided Railroads
and Indians.

The report of the secretary of the interior
resents a comprehensive AMI interesting ex-
hbt of the numerous and important affairs
committed to his supervision. 1t is impossible
n this communication to do more than briefly
efer to a few OF the subjects concerning which
the secretary gives full and instructive informa-
ton.
The money appropriated account of this
department for its disbursement for the fiscal
year ending June 30. 'Sa5, amounted to more
than Sl57 OO0,OGv. or a greater sum than was
appropriated for the entire maintenance Of the
overnment for the two fiscal years ending June
O. 1861.
our public lands, originally amounting to l.
$40 600 600 acres, have been reduced that only
500, 900 600 acres still remain in government con-
roll excluding Alaska; the balance, being by
lar the most valuable portion, has been given
away to settlers, to new states and to rail-
roads or sold at a comparatively nominal sum.
The patenting of land in execution of railroad
grants has progressed rapidly during the year,
and since the 4th day of March, 1893 about
% OOO 600 acres have thus been conveyed to
these corporations. / agree with the secretary
that the remainder of our public lands should
be more carefully dealt with and their aliena-
ton guarded by better economy and greater
The commission appointed by the membership
of the national academy of science provided
for by an act of congress. to formulate plans
for a national forestry system will. it is hoped,
soon be prepared to present the result of
thorough and intelligent examination of this
The Red Man.
The total Indian population of the United
tates is III ,35 according to a census made in
$780, exclusive of those within the state of
New York and those comprising the five civil
lied tribes. OF this number there ap-
roximately 900 children of school age. Dur
ing the year % 1893 os these enrolled in
the schools. The progress which has attend
ed recent efforts to extend Indian school ia
cilties and the anticipation of continued lib
eral appropriations to that end can not fail
to afford the utmost satisfaction to those who
believe that the education of Indian children
is a prime factor in the accomplishment Of
Indian civilization. 1t may be said in general
1ar
the Indians under the government has been
I.ost marked and encouraging.
The secretary, the commissioner Of Indian af-
fairs and the agents having charge of Indians
10 whom the allotments have been made,
strongly urge the passage of a law prohibit
| ing the sale of liquor to allottees who have
| AIKEN their lands in severalty I earnestly
| join in this recommendation and venture to
express the hope that the Indian may be speed
| lily protected against this one greatest of all
| wills to his well being and Advancement
| Five Civilized Tribes.
The condition of affairs among the five civil
| lied tribes who occupy large tracts of land
| IN the Indian Territory and who have gov
ernments of their own, has assumed such an
aspect as to render 1t almost indispensable that
| there should be an entire change in the rela-
tons of these Indians to the general govern
ment This seems to be necessary in further
ance OF their own interests, as well as for
the protection of non-Indian residents in
| heir territory. A commission organized and
empowered under several recent laws is now
| negotiating with these Indians for the re-
! linquishment of their courts and the division
! Of their common lands in severality, and are
aiding in the settlement of the troublesome
/ uestion of tribal membership. The reception
of the first proffers of negotiations was not
encouraging. but through patience and such
onduct their part demonstrated that
heir intentions were friendly and in the in
| crest of the tribes the prospect of success
as become more promising. The effort should
to save these Indians from the consequences
! their own mistakes and imDrovidence and
| 10 secure to the real Indian his rights as
gainst intruders and professed friends who
oft nv is rpf
A change is also needed to protect life an6
roperty through the operation of courts con
ucted according to strict justice and strone
nough to enforce their mandates. AS SIN
ere friend of the Indian 1 am exceedingly
nxious that these reforms should be accom-
lished with the aid of the tribes and that n'
necessity may be presented for radical o.
rastic legislation. I hope, therefore that TN
commission now conducting negotiations vii
be able to report that progress has beer
lade toward a friendly adjustment OF exist
ing difficulties.
Mineral Waiting tn BE Mined.
It appears that a valuable deposit of sill
onite or asphaltum has been found on tn
eservation in Utah occupied by the Uncom
pahgTe Indians Every consideration or car
for the public interest and every sensible busi
ess reason dictate such management or dis
osal Of this important source of public revenu
as will except It from the general rounds AM
Incidents attending the ordinary disposition o
| public lands and secure to the government
air share at least Of its advantages in plac
Of its transfer for nominal sum to interests
Individuals
indorse the recommendation made by tn
present secretary Of the interior well a
his predecessor that permanent commission
consisting OF three members, one Of Whor
shall be army officer, be created to per
form the duties now devolving upon the com
missioner and assistant commissioner Of IT
dian affairs. The management of the burea
involves such numerous and diverse details an
the advantages Of uninterrupted policy ar
so apparent that 1 hope the change suggeste
SKILL meet the approval of congress.
> Pension Rolls.
The diminution of our enormous pension TO
nd the decrease of pension expenditures, whic
have been so often confidently foretold, sti
. all in material realization. The number