, 1897-11-19
MR.. BLISS REPORTS.
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1899 HIS
DEPARTMENT WILL RE-
QUIRE sl5G. 532. il9
Wichita Reservation Cannot Be
Opened Without Great Hardship
and Distrcss-Affairs OF the Choc-
taws. Chickasaws and Creeks Be
ing Adjusted.

Washington. D. c.. Nov. lS.-Secre.
tary of the interior Bliss. in his annual
report, made public tonight, submits
estimates a]ggregating sl5G,532.419 for
appropriations by congress for the
fiscal year ending June 80. 1899.
Discussing the Tndians.i,c says the to-
tai Indian population of the United
States. exclusive of New York Indians
and the five civilized tribes, approx,
mate 177.17S located on III reserva,
tions. which contain approximately 49,
4O4 ,S37 acres. Of these 4.5ij have &C,
cepted allotments of lands which ag,
gregate about G44.137 acres.
The secretary says while opening the
Whichata reservation in Oklahoma to
white settlement would greatly pro.
mote the development of the country.
yet in view of the unsettled condition
OF Gu"st!ons affecting their rights I'm.
til ;nere is further legislation. he does
lot see how it can be done. without
causing great injury and distress.
Recommendation is made that the
Dawes commission be authorized to in
vcstigate the questions as to their
rights and claims and report recon-
mendations for a speedy and just set
Element.
Referring to the work of the Dawes
commission it is announced the inves.
tigation of the rights Of applicants for
citizenship in the Five Nations has
been practically completed; the com,
mission has been preparing a roll citl-
zenship Of the several tribes and has
negotiated three agreements That
with both ChOctaws and Chickasaws. of
April %, 1897. is before congress and
has been ratified by those tribes That
made with the Creeks on September 81
last, was rejected almost unanimously
by the Creek council and there is lit
tie prospect Of any further agreement
with them.
The Cherokecs have refused to make
an agreement and negotiations with
them have been abandoned for the time
being. Such agreements as have been
concluded vary so in their provisions
that in view of the fact that eventually
a uniform system of government must
be provided for the Indian territory. it
is questionable. the report says. wheth-
er any Of the agreemnts should be def
nitely ratified by congress until desir>
ed and a necessary uniformity can Re
secured.
Tho secretary calls the attention OF
the president and congress to the chao-
tic condition Of affairs in the territory.
The leading Indians have absorbed
great tracts to the EXCLUSION of the
common people and a government by
Indian a~ristocracy has been practically
established to the detriment Of the peo-
pic. From 10000 to 25.0O0 whites. ny
permission of the Indian government.
have settled in the te~ritOr". bur are
r'erCly tenants by 81" n@1 No gov
eminent for the Indiac territory viii
he satisfactory until congress shall
provide for the establishment nf a
single uniform system for the entire
Indian territory that shall place its
inhabitents in the possession OF the
rights Of Americans citizens. The rec,
commendation made that the period
for the allotment of lands to the I'M
compahgre Indians extended to such
time beyond April /. 1898. as congress
shall deem best.
Concerning Alaska. the secretary
says existing conditions demand a rad
ical change in the laws relating there
to. and he recommends that the public
land laws be extended to that district;
that an additional land Office be ere.
ated: that the granting Of rights Of
way for railways. telegraph and tele-
phone lines and the construction OF
iced; that provisions be made for the
roads and trails be specifically author.
lied: hat provisions be made for the
incorporation OF municipalities. pro-
viding for the holding of elections, de-
filming the qualifications for voting and
that a complete territorial government
he authorized and established and that
representation in congress be granted.
MoRGAN's REPORT.