The herald., 1896-09-30
THE WARDS Of THE NATION
Have Made Good Progress Dur
ing the Year
BUT LO, TIE POOR INDIAN
Must Learn to Work and Earn His Own
Living
Steps VIII Be Taken to Prevent En-
croachments or Trespass on the
Rights of the Indians.
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON, Sept. 29.-D. M.
Browning, commissioner of Indian af-
fairs. has made an annual report to the
secretary of the interior. He says the
progress of the Indians in general edu-
cation and civilization has been uninter-
.rupted and substantial. The effort now,
as for many years, must be to put the
Indian upon his allotment, teach him to
support himself. protect him from en-
croachment and injustice, and educate
his children in books and industries.
AS first step, so far as treaty obliga-
tion do not interfere by requiring pay
ment Of moneys and issuance of rations
or annuities, the Indians are given to
uderstand that the government will not
feed and clothe them while they remain
in idleness. The funds available for the
purpose are devoted to starting Indians
in homes. If an Indian will go on an
allotment and work and improve it the
government will assist him in building
house, putting the farm in operation
and making him practical farmer.
The commissioner says the govern
ment goes further apd pays the Indian
for his work. To regular Indian en-
ployes the government paid last year
half million dollars.
great diversity Of crafts and indus
tries are the growth of the advanced CIV
iization. The reports from Indian
agents, he says, show that the Indians
are commencing to earn their living.
They have supplies for the government,
raise crops to sell, raise and sell live
stock, work in the woods and on irri-
cation bitches and in many other ways
contribute to their own subsistence.
The entire Indian service, with few
exceptions, is now under civil service
regulations. Exceptions are made as to
Indians who are employed under nom
competitive examinations.
Progress in educating the Indians is
reported very satisfactory in spite of
many difficulties encountered. The en-
rolment during the year was 23,532, an
increase of S15 over the previous year.
The average attendance increased S52.
There is a reduction in the number
of contracts which have been made in
accordance with provisions Of the last
Indian appropriation bill for 1897. There
will be an expenditure of $157,S2S on
this account against $463,505 this year.
There has been much complaint from
the Indians in Colville reservation, in
Washington, that mining claims have
been located upon farms where there
are no mines, and instructions have
been given to have the land officers
prevent such trespassers from interfer-
ing with the Indians.
The fishing rights of the Yakima In
dians in Washington, have been a SUBJ
ject of controversy, and the governor
of that state has been requested to
take such steps as will secure the In
dians from molestation by white citi-
zens
The commissioner urges the passage
Of the bill now pending in congress to
prohibit the sale of liquor to Indians
who have become citizens. He says the
correspondence in his office shows that
the Indians in the west who have re-
ceived allotments become demoralized
by the liquor traffic.
The commissioner reviews at length
the disturbances at Jackson's Hole,
Wyo., and says steps have been taken
to prevent any conflict between the In
dians and the local authorities.