The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-09-26
MRS. ]. N. TOWNSEND, Pres.

The progress of the Indian IN the way
Of the white man is never very rapid
On the reservation almost no progress
can be made. He IS almost as TAR re-
moved from any actual contact with
white men as in time past The his
tory Of the development Of the race
proves that they do not change their
ways except from stern necessity. SO
the Indian only changes the mode Of
his rfe with a complete change Of envi-
ronmentS- 7 can but repeat what /
have said IN all former reports. that I'M
mediate allotment in Severality Is the
best solution of the problem Of Indian
civilization"
Under the heading, Social and Re
Egious Conditions, the report has this
10 say: The advance along social and
religious lines the past year has been
commensurate with the development of
the territory. and in many cases the
Improvement Is very marked The So
cial and moral condition OF tffe people
IS on a par with those OF the older states
The people OF the territory are. as a
whole, peaceabee and 9awabidtng, and
are seeking to build homes for them
selves and children. The Oklahoman
may not be able at all times 20 present
saws in his behalf that IN his bosom will
be found a heart whose purposes are
as true and benevolent as any in all the
nation"
In regard to the free homes" ques-
ton. Governor Renfrow says:
LAS a representative of the govern
ment of the United States, as well as
the great territory OF Oklahoma. and
having no interest IN the matter aside
from the good OF ali the people, have
endeavored to take an impartial view
of the whole subject, and. after a careful
examination, no reason is apparent
which tusifies the great government OF
the United States In departing from
this maguanimouS policy OF century
which in no small degree has contrf-
bIfted to make IL the great govern
ment that II is, and now, in this late
day. levy land tax OF SIS. coo, 900 upon
new and s ruggling territory. and
wiring from those pioneer sons OF tote
a tribute so heavy that even a COM
munity with the accumulated wealth CT
100 years would groan to pay. II this
tribute is levied upon Oklahoma IL Will
retard t1he growth OF the territory twenty
years, as the actual loss to the territory
in Payment Of principal and interest
VIII exceed s3GOOD,OoO. Free homes TOT
Oklahoma means Immediate and con-
tinpes1 prosperity and development"
THE situation in the matter Of In
diam reservations" says Governor Rem
frow, remains unchan ged since the re-
port last year. The Wichita, Kjowa,
Comancale and Apache Indian reServa-
TONS have not as yet been opened to
settlement They embrace some OF
the finest lands IN Oklahoma, and would
De capable of supporting q large pop
ulation. The Indians on their allot-
menfs can make but a very limited use
OF the unallotsd lands. 1t is in my opin-
ion subverstye of the very best purpose
OF axotments to withhold the unailoted
lands from settlement. The Indian
learns more OF the ways OF civilization
and modern agriculture from contact
way To put an Indian on an ailUrment
with white neIghbors than IN any other
and expect him TO farm is tldulging in
a hope not justified by the actual re-
suits The attention Of the government
10 this question IS most earnestly soil
cited. and the earliest Possible action
advised -