Evening journal., 1897-11-19
ON INDIAN AFFAIRS.
Cornelius N. Bliss Deals With
Them In His Report.
TRIBES HAVE BROKEN AGREEMENTS.
The Secretary OF the Interior Says That
Existing Conditions In Alaska De-
mand a Radical Change In
the Laws There.

the LAWS mere
WASHINGTON. Nov. 19.-secretary
Of the Interior Bliss. in his annual re-
port. just made public, submits esti-
mates aggregating $156 532, 419 for appro-
briations by congress for the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1899. Discussing PEN
sions, he says 2OO0 900 pension claims are
awaiting adjudication, and It is esti-
mated that 40 or so per cent of these
will be finally admitted. The total IN
dian population of the United States
exclusive of the New York Indians and
the five civilized tribes. approx.mates
7,17S, located on IL reservations,
which contain approximately 3S,4O4.S37
acres. OF these. 4,545 have accepted al
lotments of land, aggregating about
644.147 acres.
Secretary Bliss says while the open
Ing of the Wichita reservation in okla
homa to white settlement would greatly
promote the development of that coun-
try. yet in view of the unsettled condi-
ton of the questions affecting their
rights until there is further legislation
he does not see how 1t can be done with
out causing great injury and distress.
TO guard against this, recommendation
IS made that the Dawes commission be
authorized to investigate questions as
to their rights and claims and report
recommendations for speedy and just
settlement.
Referring to the work Of the Dawes
commission, it is announced that the
investigation of the rights of appli-
cants for citizenship in the five ma
tions has been practically completed.
The commission has been preparing the
rolls of citizenship of the several tribes
and has negotiated three agreements.
One with both the Choctaws and Chick
asaws is before congress and has been
ratified by those tribes. That made
with the Creeks Sept. p last was re-
jected almost unanimously by the Creek
council and there is little prospect OF
any further agreement with them.
The Cherokees have refused to make
agreement. and negotiations with them
have been abandoned for the time be-
ing. Such agreements as have been
concluded vary so in their provisions
that in view of the fact that eventu-
ally a uniform system Of government
must be provided for the Indian Terri
tory, ii is questionable, the report says,
whether any Of the agreements should
be definitely ratified by congress until
the desired and necessary uniformity
can be secured.
The secretary says the five tribes
have undoubtedly violated in many
ways the spirit of their agreements
with the United States under which the
territory is now held and governed, and
while he does not recommend any harsh
government action, the secretary calls
the attention of the president and con-
f,ress to the chaotic condition Of affairs
OF the territory growing out of the sew
eral methods Of administration.
Leading Indians have absorbed great
tracts to the exclusion of the common
people, and government by an Indian
aristocracy is practically established to
the detriment of the people. From 200
600 to 25O.O0O whites, by permission OF
the Indian government, have settled IN
the territory, but are merely tenants by
sufferance.
No government for the Indian Terri
tory will be satisfactory until congress
shall provide for the establishment Of
single uniform system for the entire In
dian Territory that shall place all its
Inhabitants in possession of the rights
of American citizens.
Concerning Alaska, Secretary Bliss
saws existing conditions demand a radi-
cal change in the laws relating thereto
and ne recommends that the public
lands laws be extended to that district
that additional land offices be created
and appropriations made to carry them
into effect; that the granting of rights
of way for railroads telegraph and tele-
phone lines and the construction OF
roads and trails be specifically au-
thorized; that provision be made for tho
incorporation Of municipalities, provid-
Ing for the holding of elections, defining
qualifications for voting and giving
such powers as are used and exercised
by municipalities elsewhere; that tho
legal and political status Of the native
population. which is In doubt. be de-
fined: that citizenship be extended Il
the Metlakahtla Indians who emigrateC
from British Columbia and under au'
thority of an act Of congress approved
March 3. 1891. now occupy Annette Is
land; that complete territorial govern
ment be authorized and established
and that representation In congress b'
granted.
Work on the Nicaragua canal is still
suspended, and the company reports liza
bilities consisting Of the amounts still
due under the concessions 10 the CUM
pany of Sc, 7O5. 900 of bonds and not ex
ceeding 100000 cash liabilities out
ptandlng unpaid: assets. unused capita
stock S51s50O first mortgage bonds an'
2.42O shares Of capital stock received II
liquidation the concessions, rights
privileges. franchises, etc. which it nov
owns plant, equipments. lands, rail
ways. supplies and other property il
Central America. including the land
betN cen the lake and the Pacific.
Sidney Gains His Freedom.