The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-12-08
THE INDIANS.

the INDIANS.
The total Indian population of the
United States Is l77,2s5. according to a
census made In 1895. exclusive OF those
within the State of New York and those
comprising The five civilized trlbes. or
his number there are approximately $1,000
| CHILDREN Of school age. During the year "a
29S Of these were enrolled In schools The
progress which hes attended recent efforts
TO extend Indian school facilities and the
anticipation Of continued liberal approprla-
,ions to that end. can not fail to AFFORD ,Ao
utmost satisfaction to those who believe
that tie education of Indian children Is
primo factor In the accomplishment ON In
dian civilization.
1t may be said in general terms that Ia
every particular the Improvement Of th,
Indians under government care has been
most marked and encouraging Tho gecro-
tary. the commissioner OF Indian affairs.
and the agents having charge OF lndiens
TO whom allotmeuts have been made.
strongly urge the passage Of a law prohibit
INK the sale OF lino- TO alloteos who have
taken their lands in sevoralty ! earnestly
JOIN "a this recommendation and vonture
to express the hope that the Indian may he
speedily protected against this greatest ut
all obstacles to his WE'LL being and advance
mcnt.
Tho conditions Of affairs among the five
civilized triaes who occupy large tracts of
land In the Indian Territory aud who have
Governments of their own, has assumed
such an aspect rs to rcuder 1t almost ia
dHpongable that there should be an entire
/ change III the relations of these Indians
ia the general government. This seems 10
4 Ia. Ia, f,trf hpr pG tbgir
interests as well as for protection of non
| Indian residents In their Territory. y com
mission organized and empowered under
| several reccli laws is now negotiating with
| these Indians for the relinquishment OF
thoir courts and the division of thclr com
| mon lands In scNoralty and arc now aldinS
| In the settlement Of the troublesome qncs-
ton Of tribal membership. The reception
Of their first proffers OF negotiation was
| not encouraging hut through patience and
guch conduct on their part as domonstrat-
ed that their intentions were friendly. and
| In the iatercst OF the best results the pros
poet OF success has become NOR" rrolnls-
INK, The efforts should he 20 save these In
! dams from the consequences Of their own
mistakes and lnprovidcncc and to secure
the real Indian his rights ns against in-
| irudcrg and protested friends, who profit
| hy his retrogfcaS ION.
A change is also needed TO protect lifc
and poverty through the operation of
courts conducted according to strict justice
and strong enough to enforce their man
dates.
As sincere fricnd OF the Indian. ] am
exceedingly anxious that these reforms
should be accomplished with the consent
| end aid OF the tribes. and that no neces-
sity may be presented FOR radical or dras-
tic legislation. | hope therefore that the
commission now conducting negotiations
win soon DO able to report that progresa
hns been made toward n friendly adjust
mcnt of oxlstng difficulties.
II appears that very valuable deposit
of g!lsonite or asphaltum has ben found
ON the rcrervaiicn in Utah occ upied by the
Unconpahgre Ito Indiana. Every ccnsil-
Grafton Of care for the public intercst ard
every seusihle business reason dictate such
management or Disposal If this important
source OF public revenue as will except 1t
from the general rules. and Incidents ut
tending the ordinary disnoiuon Of public
lands and secure the government fair
share at least of It's advantages in place
of It's transfer for a nominal sum to in
terestcd individuals,
| indorsc the recommendation made by
tho present secret tory Of Interior as well az
his predecessor that a permanent commits
gIon of three members, one OF whom shall
he an army officer, shall be created to PEI
form the duties now devolvins unon the
commissioner and assistant commissioner
=, Indlan affairs. The management Of the
bureau involves such numerous and diverse
details and the advantages OF an uninieT-
rupttd Motley are 50 apparent that ho?o
the change suggested win meet the APP
proval OF the congress.