The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-19
INTERIOR DEPARTMENT
SECRETARY BLIss's REPORT ON PEN
SIONs AND INDIAN TREATIES.
Recommendations Concern.ng Alaska,
the Twelfth Census and Other Mat
ters-The Nicaragua Canal.

WASHINGTON, NOV. 1o.-0ecretaIy VI
the Interior Bliss, in his annual report.
made public tonight, submits estimates
aggregating $3.50, 532, 419 for appropriations
by Congress for the fiscal year ending June
70 1899. Discussing pensions he says 100000
pension claims are awaiting adJudlcatloh,
and it is estimated that 40 or so per cent. of
these will be finally admitted. If they are
rapidly adjudicated they will swell the pen
sion roll from $5OOO,Ooo to 100000. When
however, these claims are adjudicated and
the first payments made thereon the
amount of the pension roll will decrease
very rapidly, possibly to SIPS 900, 900 or $780,
600 900 the first year.
The total Indian population Of the United
States. exclusive of the New York Indians
and the FIVE civilized tribes, approximates
177,17S, located on III reservations, which
contain approximately 3S.404, S37 acres. OF
these ASS have accepted allotments OF land
which aggregate about 644,1H acres. Re-
ferring to the work of the Dawes commits
sion. it is announced that the investigation
of the rights of the applicants for citizen
ship in the Five Nations have been practi-
cally completed: the commission has been
preparing the rolls of citizenship of the sew
eral tribes and has negotiated three agree
ments. That with both the Choctaws and
Chickasaws, of April 20, 1897, is before Con-
gress and has been ratified by those tribes.
That made with the Creeks Sept. II last
was rejected almost unanimously by the
Creek Council and there is little prospect
of any further agreement with them. The
Cherokees have refused to make an agree
ment, and negotiations with them nave
been abandoned for the time being. Such
agreements as have been concluded vary so
uniform system of government must be
provided for the Indian TERRITORY, II Is
questionable, the report says, whether any
of the agreements should be detnltely raul
fed by Congress until the desired and nee
essary uniformity cart be secured.
The secretary says the five tribes have
spirit of their agreements with the united
States under which the territory Is now
held and governed, and, while ne does not
recommend any harsh government aelloh
the secretary calls the attention or the
President and Congress to the chaotic con,
dition of affairs growing out OF the sev vera
tribes methods of administration. Leading
Indians have absorbed great tracts to the
exclusion of the common people, ana gov
eminent by an Indian arlstocrascy mas oee as
the people. From 100000 to 2oO,OVO WHITES
by permission of the Indian government,
have settled in the Territory, but are mere
for the Indian Territory will be satisfactory
until Congress shall provide Tor the estap-
entire Indian Territory that shall place all
its inhabitants in possession or the rlgnts
of American citizens.
Speedy action in securing proper leglsld-
ton for the coming twelfth census is urged,
lack of sufficient time in the past TWO or
three enumerationS is complained or ana
the necessity of many reforms IN the way
of lessening the bulk of reports and the
elimination of several branches or inquiries
from the twelfth census either by post
ponement or transfer to bureaus already In
4-
II is anticinafed that before the close of
the field season the geological survey VIII
have gathered sufficient data as TO the set
tied area of the reserves embraced IN the
executive forestry orders to enable the de-
partment to form an opinion as to popuia-
ton and Improvements included within the
reserves and the distribution or the FOREST
and agricultural lands.
Concerning Alaska, Secretary Bliss says
existing conditions demand radical change
in the laws relating thereto ana ne recon-
mends that the public iand laws be ex-
tended 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 telephone lines and the construction of
roads and trails be specifically authorized;
that provision be made for the incorpora-
ton of municipalities, proVldlng Tor the
holding of elections defining qualifications
for voting and giving such powers as are
used and exercised by municipalities else
whore; that the legal and political status
of the native population, which is in doubt
be defined; that citizenship be extended to
the Metlakahtla Indians who emigrated
from British Columbia and, under authority
of an act of Congress, approved March g.
1891 now occupy Annette island; that COM
plete territorial government be authorized
and established and that representation in
Congress be granted.
Work on the Nicaragua canal is still sus-
pended and the company reports liabilities
consisting of the accounts still due under
the concessions to the company of $S,7O5,0O0
of bonds and not exceeding 500 cash debts
outstanding unpaid; the assets are the I'M
used capital stock, SolS,50O first mortgage
bonds and the 2420 shares of capital stock
received in liquidation, the concessions,
rights, privileges franchises, etc, which II
now owns, plant. equipment, lands, railway
supplies and other property in Central
America, including the lands between the
lake and the Pacific. Recommendations are
submitted for separate appropriations for
the Civil service Commission to be expended
under its own supervision; that the Indian
agents be held responsible on their official
bonds for all funds in their custody, the
law to apply to army officers as well as
civilians. and that when desired the United
States provide such bonds for army officers
acting as Indian agents. Approprta tons for
the needs of troops stationed in Yellowstone
Park and the repair of roads and bridges
there are recommended.
Good times have come to those whom
Hoods SarSaDa rilla has cured of scrofllla