The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-09-30
MAKING THE INDIANS OVER
Commissioner Browning Tells How Mucn
Nearer Civilization They are.


Nearer CivilIza ton They are.
Washington, Sept 29-D. NJ. Brown
ing. commissioner of Indian affairs, has
made his annual report to the secretary
of the interior. He says that, with no
outbreak or disturbance during the year,
the progress of the Indians generally in
education and civilization has been I'M
INTERRUPTED and substantial The main
effort now is, as it for many years must
be. to put the Indian upon his allot-
ment, leach him to support himself, pro-
tect him from encroachment and in1us-
ttoe and educate and teach his children
in books and Industries As first
step, 80 far as treaty obligations DO not
interfere by requiring the payment OF
money and the issuance Of rattons or
annuitfes, the Indians are given TO un-
.da-stand that the government Will not
feed and clothe them while they re-
main IN fdleness. Such funds as are
available for the purpose are devoted
10 starting Indians In homes. II an
Indian will go upon an allotment and
work to improve it, the government
will assist him In building a house and
putting his farm in operation and maxi
ing practical farmer.
The commissioner says the govern
ment goes further and pays the Indian
for his work. To regular Indian en-
p1oyes the government paid last year
a half million dollars A great diversi-
~ Of crafts and industries are the out
growth of the advanced civilization. The
reports frogn Indian agents, he says,
ehow that Indians are coming to earn
their living. They have supplies for
the government, raise crops to sell, raise
csorI n ha
end on navigation bitches and In many
other ways contribute to tilsir own
Substance The entire Indian ser
vice, with few exceptions, IL now under
civil service regulations. Exceptions
are made as to Indians who are en-
ployed under non-competitive examina
lions.
Progress in educating the Indians il
reported very satisfactory in spite OF
many difficulties encountered. The
enrolment during the year was 23,352,
an Increase of SIS over the previous
year. The average attendance increas-
ed $50
There has been a reduction in a num-
Der of contracts which have been made
IN accordance with provisions of the
last Indian appropriation bill There
viii be an expenditure of S257, S2S on this
account, against S4s3,5c5 this year.
Therdnas been much complaint from
the Indians on the Colville reservation
In Washington that mining claims have
been located upon their farms where
There are no mines and instructions
have been given to have the land officers
prevent such tTespasSers from tnterfer-
Ing with the Indians.
The fishing rights of the Yakima In
63ans in Washington have been a sub
ject OF controversy and the governor OF
that stare has been requested to take
such steps as viii secure the Indians
from molestation by white citizens.
The commissioner urges the passage
of the bill now pending tn congress to
prohimt the sale of liquors to Indians
Who have become citizens He says
rhe correspondence in his Office shows
that the Indians in the west and north
west who have received aIlotments are
becoming denloralized by the liquor
traffic.
The commissioner reviews at length
the disturbance at Jachson's Hole, Wy
onling, and says that steps have been
saken TO prevent any conflict between
the Indians and local authorities.