Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-19
Needed Changes in the Indian Terri
tory.
PREPARING FOR TIE CENSUS
Extension of Land Laws to
Alaska.
SOME LOCAL INSTITUTIONS

The annual report of the Secretary of the
Interior was made public last evening Sec
rotary Bliss submits estimates for appro-
priatiens for the next fiscal year aggre-
eating $156. $50. 419.
Discussing pensions, he says COCOON PEN
sion claims are awaiting adjudication. and
| 1t is estimated that 40 or 50 per cent Of
| these will be finally admitted. If they are
| rapidly adjudicated, they will swell the
pension roll from 100000 to 100000
When, however. these claims are adjudi-
Gated and first payments made thereon, the
| amount of the pension roll will decrease
| very rapidly. possibly to s125, 200 or
$1SO.OO0,00O the first year.
The total Indian population of the United
States, exclusive of the New York Indians
and the i've civilized tribes. approximates
17717s. located on III reservations. which
contain, approximately, 3d. 4O4 S37 acres
Of these. 45i5 have accepted allotments of
land, which aggregate about 644,147 acres
secretary Bliss says, while the opening of
the Wichita reservation in Oklahoma to
White settlement would greatly promote
the development of that country yet in
view of the unsettled condition of the aues-
lions affecting their rights, until there is
further legislation. he does not see how it
can be done without causing great injury
and distress. To guard against this rec
ommendation is made that the Dawes COM
mission be authorized to investigate aues-
tons as to their rights and claims and re-
port recommendations for speedy and Just
settlement
Citixenship of Indians.
Referring to the work of the Dawes COM
mission, it is announced that the investi-
cation of the rights of applicants for cit
izenshfp in the five nations has been prac-
tically completed; the commission has been
preparing tie rolls Of citizenship of the
several tribes. and has negotiated three
agreements. That with both the Choctaws
anc Chickasaws of April %. 1897, is before
Congress, and has been ratified by those
tribes. That made with the Creeks Sep
TENDER % last, was rejected almost unan-
imously by the Creek council and there is
httle prospect OF any further agreement
with them. The Cherokees have refused to
make an agreement, and negotiations with
them have been abandoned for the time
being. Such agreements as have been con-
cluded 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, whether any of the agree
ments should be definitely ratified by Con-
gress until the desired and necessary uni
formity 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 no:
recommend any harsh action, the Score
tary calls the attention of the President
and Congress to the chaotic condition of
affairs of the territory. growing out of the
several tribes methods of administration.
Leading Indians have absorbed great tracts
of land. to the exclusion of the common
people, and the government by an Indian
arlstocracy has been practically estab
lisned, to the detriment of the people. From
20O, 900 70 100000 whites. by permission of
the Indian government, have settled in the
territory merely nv
ferance. No government for the Indian
territory will be satisfactory until Con-
gress shall provide for the establishment
of a single uniform system for the entire
Indian territory that shall place all its in
habitants in possession of the rights of
American citizens.
UncOmpahgre Lands.
Recommendation is made that the pc
riod for the allotment of lands to the Tn
compahgre Indians must be extended such
time beyond April l, 1888. as Congress shall
deem best. Reference Is made to the con-
tentions of the Uncompahgres to allot-
ment requirements. and it is stated that the
proceeds of the Colorado lands. when re-
ceived over and above the cost of the re-
moyaI of the Indians (Si29,550 and the
trust fund of 81 100000 are to be applied SO
far as requisite to the reimbursements of
the Uintahs. whose lands are to be taken.
The Uncompahgres. contrary to their ideas,
do not in fact nay for the allotments, ex-
cept as 4 matter of exchange.
If the sales of the Colorado lands cannot
Immediately yield sufficient for reimburse
ment of the Uintahs, the government is
urged to advance the necessary sum and
await the sale of the lands for its own re-
endorsement. The sum of 81 ,216,SS6 is now
in the treasury to the credit of the Utes
fund resulting from the sale of the Colo
RADIO lands and in addition there must yet
be realized from the sales over $JW,OO0 to
reimburse the government the expenses.
afn of ram nd hQ
aside from the public moneys a trust
fund. Such legislation as will enable the
people of the United States to reap the
benefit Of the valuable and useful mineral
deposits is recommended.
Preparing for the Census.
Speedy action in securing proper legisla-
ton for the coming twelfth census is urged.
lack of sufficient time in the past two or
three enumerations is complained of, and
the necessity Of many reforms in the way
of lessening the bulk of reports and the
eliminate Of several branches of inquiries
from the twelfth census either by post
ponement transfer to bureaus already |
in existence is urged.
1t is anticipated that before the close of |
the field season the geological survey will |
have gathered sufficient data as to the set |
tied areas of the reserves embraced in the |
executive forestry orders to enable the de- |
partment to form an opinion as to popula- |
ton and improvements included within the |
reserves and the distribution of the forest |
and agricultural lands.
Land Laws for Alaska.
Concerning Alaska. Secretary Bliss says |
existing conditions demand a radical /
change in the laws relating thereto, and he |
recommends that the public land 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 railroad. |
telegraph and telephone lines and the con-
struction of roads and trails be specifically /
that provision be made for the /
of municipalities providing
for the holding of elections. defining quail /
ffications for voting. and giving such pow
ers as are used and exercised by munich
paIities elsewhere; that the legal and polit-
ical 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, un-
der authority of an act of Congress ap-
proved March 3. 1891. now occupy Annette |
Island; that complete territorial govern
ment be authorized and established and |
that representation in Congress be granted.