The Wichita daily eagle., 1896-12-08
Indian Affairs.


United States is 177.235, according to a
census made in 1895. exclusive of those
within the state of New York and those
comprising the five civilized tribes. OF
this number there are approximately 3S,
900 children of school age. During the
year 23,39S Of these We're enrolled In
schools. The progress which has attend
ed recent efforts to extend Indian school
facilities and the anticipation of continu-
ed liberal appropriations to that end, con
not fail to afford the utmost satisfaction
to these who believe that the education
Of the Indian children is a prime factor
in the accomplishment of Indian civili-
| zat;on.
ALIOTMENTS AND LIQUOR.
It may be said in general terms that
| In every particular the Improvement OF
the Indians under government care has
been most marked and encouraging. The
secretary the commissioner of Indian af-
fairs and the agents having charge OF
Indians TO whom allotments have been
made. strongly urge the passage of law
prohibiting the sale Of liquor to allotees
who have taken their land in severaity.
I earnestly join in this recommendation
and venture to express the hope that the
Indian may be speedily protected against
being and advancement.
FIVE CIVILIZED TRIBES.
The condition of affairs among the five
civilized tribes, who occupy large tracts
of land In the Indian territory and who
have governments of their own. has as
sumed such an aspect as to render it al
most indispensable that there should oe
an entire change in the relations of these
Indians to the general government.
! This seems to be necessary in further
ance of their own interests as well as for
the protection of non-Irdian residents in
the territory. \ commission organized
and empowered under severa, recent
laws is now negotiating with these IN
dians for the ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF their
courts and the division of their common
lands in several;y and is raising, in the
settlement of the trouble, some ques-
tons of tribal membership. The recep-
ton of their first proffers of negotiations
was not encouraging, but through patti
ence and such conduct on their part as
demonstrated that their intentions were
friendly and in the interest of the In
dians, the prospect of success has be-
come more promising. The efforts should
be to save the Indians from the conse-
Quences of their own mistakes and i'm
providence and to secure TO the Indian
his rights as against intruders and pro-
fessed friendships VINO profit by mis- re-
togression.
a change is also needed to protect life
and property through the operation OF
courts conducted according 10 strict JUS
tice and strong enough to enforce their
mandates. AS sincere friend of the
Indian, / am exceedingly anxious that
these reforms should be accomplished
! with the consent and aid of the tribes
!. n
for radical or drastic legislation. / hope.
therefore. that the commission now coz
Quoting negotiations will be soon able TO
report that progress has been made To-
ward a friendly adjustment Of existing
difficulties.
UNCoMPARGRE UTES.
It appears that very valuable deposit
Of silsonite, or asphaltum, has been
found on the reservation in Utah oc-
cupied by the Uncompahgre Ute In
dians. Every consideration of care for
the public interest and every sensible
business reason dictate such manage
ment or disposal Of this important source
of public revenue as will except IL from
the general rules and incidents attend
ing the ordinary disposition OF public
lands. and secure 70 the government a
| fair share, az least, Of its advantages in
place of its transfer for nominal sum
70 interested individuals.
INDIAN COMMISSION.
! I irdorSe the recommendation made by
the present secretary Of the interior. as
we'll as his predecessor. that perma-
nent commission. consisting OF three
members. one OF whom shall be an army
officer. be created to perform the duties
now devolving upon the commissioner
and assistant commissioner OF Indian
affairs The management OF the bureau
| involves such numerous and diverse
duties and the advantage OF an unin-
| terrupted policy are so apparent, that I
hope the change suggested VIII meet the
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