The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-03-01

Washington, Feb. 2S.-The 18th an
nual report of the board Of Indian
commissioners, Of which Merrill 4
Gates is chairman, has been submitted
to Secretary Bliss. 1t says THAI in the
general condition of the Indians, nc
important changes have occurred. but
there is evidence of steady progress in
industrial pursuits and in education.
The only collision during the year was
between a Ute hunting party in Colo
raGo and the civil officers who attempt
ed their arrest.
The critical situation of the Indians
of Aqua Centente reservation in south
ern California has, the report says,
given them and their friends much
anxiety. Persistent efforts have been
made for several years TO eject them
from their homes, which they have
owned for centuries. and, their rights
having been brought before the court,
the case was decided against them An
appeal TO a higher court was taken.
The Navajo Indians have also been
subjected to much annoyance by at
temptS to drive them out of their graz
ing lands by an oppressive system of
taxation.
UNDER CIVIL SERVICE.
The board views with satisfaction the
firm stand of the president in support
of civil service reform" and the appli-
cation of the order prohibiting remov-
ais without cause in the Indian service.
Belief is expressed that the placing of
the Indian agents themselves under the
civil service would be a great boon to
the service.
The board thinks the agreements of
the Dawes commission with the Choc-
faKVG and Chick in the Indian
Territory have one serious defect They
make no provision for some thousands
of Chickasaw freedmen whose rights
as citizens the United States is bound
to protect. II this defect can be RENE
died, prompt ratification Of the trea-
ties by congress is urged
INDIAN EDUCATION.
Mention is made of the enlarged and
improved facilities for Indian educa-
ton inaugurate6 during the past years,
and figures are given, showing that the
enrolment in the 2SS schools of all
grades including contract and mission
schools for 1897, was 22.964, as against
an enrolment of 23,572 for 1896. The
statistics presented are regarded as
highly significant, ana full of hope for
the Indian race. 1t means, the board
says, that in a few years a generation
of Indians will be raised up very diff
ferent from any that have lived before
"a generation educated to speak and
read and write the language of the
people among whom they dwell, of
whom thav are destined to be a part,
and trained TO habits Of industry and
in many mechanical arts.
The average attendance of pupils at
Indian schools has increased from 5000
in 1877, TO 1856 in 1897. The schools of
the five civilized tribes and of the New
York Indians NOT inPlndid in these
ngures.
ALLOTMENTS OF LANDS.
Considerable progress in the allot-
menJs of lands to the Indians has been
made during the year. Nearly $4,000
allotments in all have been made since
the practice was begun, so that about
one-third Of the red men, excluding
those in the Indian Territory and New
York. are now in possession of their
own lands. and have the opportunity of
establishing individual homesteads and
Of gaining support by their own labor.
The commission is strongly of the opin-
ion that the allotment system is q good
one: that as a result of Indian labor
there is q gratifying growth in their
productive industries which warrants
the hope that the time is not very far
distant when the issue OF rations and
other supplies to the Indians may be
Drought 10 an enO.
UNFIT FOR PRODUCTION.
Unfortunately, the report says, much
IF the land allotted to the Indians is in
the arid regions, and is unfit for pro-
dUctive cultivation without an expen
siVe system Of irrigation, and the board
concUrs with the commissioner of In
dian affairs in recommending an In
dian appropriation 10 aid in works of
this character.
Considerable progress has been made
in irrigation work during the year. The
case Of most urgent need for future de-
velOpment II tH;s line, it is stated, is
that Of the Pyamia and Pappago In
dams OF Arizona, whose water supply
for irrigation purposes was cut off sew
eral years ago by the extension Of the
Florence canal. The board recommends
liberal provision for farmers for irri-
cation.