The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-01
POOR LOS elevation
Is the Burden of the Indian
Commissioners Report.
CASE OF The FREEDMEN
Should Engage the Attention
of the Government.

Washington. Feb. 2S.-The twenty-ninth
annual report of the board of Indian COM
missioners, of which Merrill L. Gates is
chairman, has been submitted to Secre-
tary Bliss. Ii says that in the general
condition of the Indians no important
changes have occurred. but there is evil
dence of steady progress in industrial
pursuits and in education. The only col
lision during the year was between a Ute
hunting party in Colorado and the civil
officers who attempted their arrest. The
critical situation of the Indians of Aqua
Calente reservation in Southern 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 ap-
peal to higher court was taken. The
Navajo Indians have also been subjected
TO much annoyance by attempts TO drive
them out of their grazing lands by an op-
pressive system of taxation.
The board views with satisfaction 1.-The
firm stand of the president in support of
civil service reform" and the application
of the order prohibiting removals with
out cause, in the Indian service Belief
Is expressed that the placing of the In
dian agents themselves under the civil
service would be great boon TO the serv-
ice.
The board thinks the agreements of the
Dawes commission with the Choctaws and
Chickasaws in the Indian Territory have
one serious defect. They make no pro-
vision for some thousands of Chickasaw
freedmen whose rights as citizens the gov
eminent is bound to protect If this de-
feet can be remedied ratification of the
treaties by congress is urged
Mention is made of the enlarged and
improved facilities for Indian education
inaugurated during the past year. and
figures are given showing that the enroll
ment in the 2SS schools of n grades, in
Guiding contract and mission schools. for
1897 was 1854. as against an enrolment
OF 23572 for 1896. The statistics presented
are regarded as highly significant and fuii
Of hope for the Indian race. 1t means.
the board says, that in few years. a
generation of Indians will he raised up
very different from any that have lived
before-a genera ton educated TO speak
and read and write the language Of the
people among whom they dwell. of whom
they are destined to be part, and train
ed to habits of industry and in many me
chanical arts.
The average attendance OF pupils at In
dian schools has increased from 5000 in
1877. to 1856 in 1897 The schools of the
Five Civilized Tribes and of the New
York Indians are not included in these
figures.
Considerable progress in the allotments
of lands to the Indians has been made
during the year. Nearly $1,000 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 pos
session of their own lands, and have the
opportunity of establishing individual
homesteads and of gaining support by
their own abor. The commission is strong
~ OF the opinion that the allotment plan
is q good one. that as a result of Indian
labor there is a 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 sup
plies to the Indians may be brought 10
an end.
Unfortunately, the report says. much Of
the land allotted to the Indians is in the
arid regions and is unfit for productive
cultivation without an expensive system
of irrigation. and the board concurs with
the commissioner Of Indian affairs in rec
ommending 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 for future development in this line.
II Is stated Is that Of the Pima and Pa
pago Indians Of Arizona, whose water
supply for irrigating purposes was cut OF
seven years ago by the extension Of the
Florence canal
The board recommends liberal provision
for farmers and field matrons. and for a
supervisor of irrigation and superintend-
ents Of constructed bitches.