Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-12-08

| prising the five civilized tribes. .,s#5f
| OF this number there are approximate
! ~ $4,000 children of school age. During
| the year 1888 of these were enrolled in
| in schools. The progress which has at
| tended recent efforts to extend Indian
| school facilities, and the anticipation of
| continued liberal appropriations to that
! end, cannot fail to afford the utmost sat
| isfaction to those who believe that the
| education of Indian children is a prime
| factor in the accomplishment of Indian
| civilization. 1t may be said in general
| terms that in every particular the i'm
proVement of the Indians under govern
ment care has been most marked and en-
| couraging.
| The secretary of the interior, commits
| sioner of Indian affairs and the agents
| having charge of the 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 lands in ssVeralty. They are
earnestly Joined in this reconim sndation,
and L venture to express the hope that the
| Indian may be speedily protected against
this greatest of all obstacles to his well
| being and advancement
THE CIVILIZED TRIBES.
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
almost indispensable that there should
be an entire change in the relations of
these Indians to the general govern
ment. This seems to be necessary in
furtherance of their own interests as
well as for the protection Of non-Indian
Tresid in their own territory A COM
mission organized and empowered under
several state laws is now nego tiating
with these Indians for the regulation of
their courts and the division of their
common lands in seVeralty, and are aid
ing in the settlement OF the trouble of
some question of tribal membership. The
reception Of thsir first proffers of negotia-
tons was not encouraging, but through
patience and such conduct on their part
as demonstrated that their Intentions
were friendly and in the interest of the
tribes, the prospect OF success has be
come more promising. The effort should
be to save these Indians from the con-
seque noes of their own mistakes and i'm
providence and to secure to the real In
dian his rights as against intruders and
PROGRESSED friends who profit by his retro
gression.
A change is also needed to protect life
and property through the operation Of the
courts, conducted according to strict JUS
tice and strong enough to enforce their
mandates as a sincere friend or the IN
dian. | 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 con-
Quoting negotiations VIII soon be aple
10 report that progress has been made
toward a friendly adjustment OF the eH-
listing difficulties.
ASPHALTUM DEPOSIT.
F. 1t appears that a very valuable deposit
of gilsonite, or asphaltum, has been
found on the reservation in Utah occu-
pied by the Uncompahgr Indians. Every
consideration of care for public interest
and every sensible business reason dc
tate such management or disposal OF
this important source OF pubic revenue
as will except it from the general rules
and incidents attending the ordinary DIS
position of public lands, and secure TO the
government fair share, at least, OF its
advantages in place of its transfer tor a
nominal sum to interested individuals.
AN INDIAN COMMISSION.
urge under the recommendation made
by the present secretary of the interior,
as well as his predecessor, that per-
manent commission consisting of three
members, one of whom shall be an army
officer be created to perform the duties
now devolving upon the commissioner
and assistant commissioner of Indian
affairs. The management OF the bureau
involves such numerous and diverse de-
tails. and the advantages of an uninter-
rupted policy are so apparent, thar nope
the change suggested Will meet tue APP
prevail of the congress.
pENsrONS ....,5.-...
,,,.,a.. - o,,or,,,.o,,, nan
Inc diinlnuatlois VI Jul e af ex
sion ioil anu ,Le ea9o No. w. 90 netan
peaot1,, foratoid still fail in material
izstion' The number of PENSIONERS on
tha rolls at the close Of the fiscal year
endad I,na 40 1895 was a70673s This is
tha iaresst number ever reported. The
amonnt naid arcIusiyalv for pensions
dnrino the wear was s1g8214 7e1 "a a
SLIGHT decrpasa from that of the Dreced-
inc year while the total expendittlres on
ancount Of nensions Including the cost
Of ,naintaininp the department and ex-
nerses attendinp pension distribution.
pmoInted r. s1S9 2o6 55b 10 or within a
varv smo,, fraction Of one-third of the
entiro aynanea Of sunnortinp the govern
mani during the sam me year
The nnmher of new nension certificates
issned was 90 $40 or these 40 s74 repre-
snnt rrigtnaI allowances of claims and
10 sTs increa ses Of existinr nensions. The
n,mbar of nersons receiving pensions
e., tha Irpitad states hut residing in
forsian countries az fine close Of the fiscal
NC, vas 2 7si and the q mount Maid them
S,,rir~ the, vasr vas s5s9 7ss 90 The sum
annrn1ria ted for the pavment of pensions