Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-08
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
Improvement of the Governments
Wards Most Encouragiug-The
Five Civilized Tribes

rive NSliZeu Tribes.
The total Indian population of the United
States is 1T7,235. 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 $500 children of school
age. During the year. s2SSS OF these were
enrolled in schools. The progress which
has attended recent efforts to extend In
dian school facilities and the anticipation
of continued liberal appropriations to that
end cannot fail to afford the utmost satis-
faction to those VINO believe that the edrl-
tion of Indian children is a prRle factor
In the accomplishment of Indian civiliza-
ton.
1t may be said in general terms that in
every particular the Improvement of tho
Indians under government care has been
most marked and encouraging. The Sec
retarv, the commissioner of Indian affairs
and the agents having charge of Indians to
whom allotments have been made strongly
urge the passage of a law prohibiting the
sale of liquor to allottees who have taken
their land in severalty. 1 earnestly join in
this Recommendation and venture to ex-
press the hope that the Indian may be
speedily protected against this greatest OF
all obstacles to his well being and ad-
vancement.
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 assumed
such an aspect as to render it almost in
dispensable that there should be an entire
change in the relations of these Indians to
the general government. This seems to be
necessary in furtherance of their own in
terests as well as for the protection OF
1fay, tn I,af-
commission organized and empowered un-
der several recent laws in now negotiating
with these Indians for the REIMBURSEMENT
of their courts and the division of their
common lands in severalty and aiding in
the settlement of the troublesome question
of tribal membership. The reception OF
their first proffers of negotiations was not
encouraging, but through patience and
such conduct on their part as demonstrate
ed that their intentions were friendly and
in the interest of the best, prospect of sue
cess has become more promising. The eff
fort should be to save the Indians from the
consequences OF their own mistakes and
improvidence and to secure to the real In
dian his rights as against intruders and
professed friends who profit by his retro
gression. A change is also needed to pro-
tect life and property through the opera
ton of courts conducted according to
strict justice and strong enough to enforce
their mandates.
AS a sincere friend of the Indian, am
exceedingly anxious that these reforms
should be accomplished with the consent
and aid of the tribes and that no necessity
may be presented for radical or drastic
legislation. l hope, therefore, that the
commission now conducting negotiations
will soon be able to report that progress
has been made toward a friendly adjust
ment of existing difficulties.
1t appears that very valuable deposit
OF gilsonite or asphaltum has been found
on the reservation in Utah occupied by the
UEoompahgre Ute Indians. Every consd-
GRAFTON of care for the public interest and
very sensible business reason dictate such
management disposal of this important
source of public revenue as will except /:
from the general rules and incidents at
tending the ordinary disposition OF public
lands, and secure to the government a fair
share at least of its advantages in place
of its transfer for a nominal sum to in
terested individuals.
l irdorse the recommendation made by
the present secretary of the interior. as
well as his predecessor that a permanent
commission. consisting of three members,
one of whom shall be an army officer. be
created to perform the duties now devolv-
ing upon the commissioner and assistant
commissioner of Indian affairs. The man.
aEement of the bureau involves such num-
eTOus and diverse duties and the advan-
tages of an uninterrupted policy are so ap-
parent that l hope the change suggested
will meet the approval of the congress.