The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1896-12-11
PubIic'. Lands.

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Our public lands, originally amounting to
1,S40, 100000 acres, have been SO reduced
that only 600, ,0O0, 900 still remain in govern
ment control, excluding Alaska. The bal
ance, being by far the most valuable por-
tion, has been given away to settlers, to
new states and to railroads, or sold at a
comparatively nominal sum.
The patenting of land, in execution of
railroad grantss- has progressed rapidly
during the year, and since the 4th day of
March, 1893, about 600 acres have
thus been conveyed to these corpora tions.
I agree with the secretary that the re-
mainder of our public lands should be- more
carefully dealt with, and their alienation
guarded against by better economy. and
greater prudence. = 81
:; II ! Indian Affairs.
The total Indian population of the United
States is 177, ,235, according to censua made
in 1895, exclusive of those within the state
of New York and those comprising the five
civilized tribes. OF this number, there
age. During the year, 1888. of these were
errolled 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 who. believe that the edu-
cation of Indian children is a prime factor
in the accomplishment OF Indian :eiviliza-
ton.
It may be said in general terms that in
every particular the improvement of$ the
Indians under government has been most
marked and encouraging. The secretary,
the commissioner of Indian affairs, 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 allottees who nave taken
their lands in severalty. 1 earnestly join
in this recommendation. and venture to ex-
press the hope that the Indian may be
speedily protected against this one greatest
of all evils to: his well-being and advance
ment. /.
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 be
an entire change In the relations of these
Indians to the. general government. This
seems to be necessary in furtherance of
their own interests, as well as for the
protection of non-Indian residents in their
territory. commission organized and
empowered under several recent laws is
now negotiating with these Indians for
the REIMBURSEMENT of their courts and the
division of their common lands in sever
atty, and are aiding in the settlement of
the troublesome question of tribal mem
bsrship. The reception of their first prof
fers of negotiation was not encouraging,
but through patience and such conduct on
their part .as demonstrated that their in
tentions were friendly and in the interest
of the tribes, the prospect Of success has
become more promising. The effort
should be to save these Indians from the
consequences of their own mistakes and
improvidence and to secure to the real
Indian his rights as against intruders
and professed friends who profit by his
retrogression. A change is also needed to
protect life and property through the op-
Grafton of courts conducted according to
strict justice and strong enough to en-
force their mandates.
As a sincere friend of the Indian I am
exceedingly anxious that these reforms
should be accomplished with the consent
and aid of the tribes, and that no neces-
sity may be presented for radical or
drastic legislation. hope, therefore,
that the commission now conducting ne
gotiations will soon be able to report that
prog fess has bssn made toward 9. friendly
adjustment of existing difficulties.