Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-28
CONDITION OF THE RED MEN
Report of the Board Of Indian Com
missioners.
Case Of Alleged Intustice-Hope for
Coming Generations of
the Race.

The twenty ninth annual report of the
board of Indian commissioners, Of which
Merrill E. Gates is chairman. has been SUBJ
mitted to Secretary Bliss. 1t says that in
the general condition Of the Indians no
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 Colorado
and the civil officers who attempted their
arrest. The critical situation Of the In
dams of Aqua Caiiente reservation, In
southern California has, the report says,
given them and their friends much anx-
iety. Persistent efforts have been made
for several years to eject them from their
homes, which they have owned for CEN
| turtles, and. their rights having been
brought before the COURT the case was
decided against them. n An appeal to a
higher court was taken. The Navajo In
dfans have also been subjected to much
annoyance by attempts ztQ, drive them out
of their grazing lands by an oppressive
The board views with satisfaction "the
firm stand of the President in support of
civil service reform ard ibe application to
the Indian service Of the order profib biting
removals without cause4a Relief is express
ed that the placing rof,the Indian agents
themselves under the civil service would be
a great boon to the sSeCytce.
The board thinks tibet the agreements of
| the Dawes eommissieh with the Choctaws
and Chtckasaws In the indian territory
| have one serious qdefeet,I They make no
provision for some tho.iasaaRds Of Chickasaw
yfe5s sssjs ssHs9f tss
feet car, be remedied prompt ratification
Of the treaties by, Congress is urged
- At the Indian Schools. s.
Mention Is made of the enlarged and
improved facilities for Indian education in
augurated during the past years. and fig
| ures 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 % 572
! for 1895. The statistics presented are re-
garded as highly significant and full of
hope for the Indian race. 1t means the
board says. that In a few years a genera
ton Of Indians will be raised up very diff
ferent from any that have lived before-a
generation educated to speak and read and
whom they dwell. Of whom they are des-
tined to be part. and trained to habits
of industry and in MANY mechanical arts.
The average attendance of pupils at In
dian schools has increased from 5000 in
1877 to 1876 In 1897 The schools of the
five civilized tribes and Of the New York
| Indians are not included in these figures.
Allotment Of Lands.
Considerable progress in the allotments
| of lands to the Indians has been made dur
Ing the year. Nearly 80OO0 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
/ og gaining support by their own labor.
The commission is strongly OF the opinion
| that the allotment system Is a. good one;
| that as a. result of Indian labor there is a
gratifying growth In their productive indus
| tries which warrants the hope that the time
| is not very far distant when the issue of "a
| tons and other supplies TO the Indians may
| be brought to an end " 80
Much Indian Land of No Value.
| Unfortunately the report says. much of
| the land allotted to the Indians Is in the
arid regions. and Is unfit for productive Gull
tivation without an expensive system of
irrigation. and the board concurs with the
| commissioner of Indian affairs In recon-
mending an appropriation to aid in works
| OF this character. Considerable progress
| has been made in irrigation work during
| the year. The case of most urgent need
stated, Is that Of the Pima and Rapago In
dams of Arizona. whose water supply for
! irrigating purposes was cut Off seven years
| ago by the extension of the Florence canal.
| The board recommends liberal provision
| for farmers and field ma trons. and for q
| superior of irrigation and superintendent
| of constructed bitches