The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-12-13


upon their allotments, they begin to fee
and to exhibit pride in their individual
ownership; until then they are under trf
bal government and tribal influences
which initiate against all progress. In
dividual ownership, individual rights anf
individual independence cannot be main
tanned until they are thus segregated
Time and effort are wasted on the par
of the agents of the government to make
them progressive, until then. Compul-
sion is a ''sine quo nom in inducing resi-
dence upon aIIotments, with the major
ity of the Indians under my charge
| What has been accomplished in this di-
rection is the result Of Withholding gra-
tuitous issues to such as refused to COM
| ply with the requirements Of the depart
ment. But with those tribes to whom
| rations are not supplied no such compul-
sorry measures could be made available
| Under the allotment act, Indians are
clothed with the rights of citizenship.
and, as citizens, they can claim immuni-
ty from government control; for this rea-
son, in my opinion, the act should be
! amended so as to make them amenable
10 such control during the period in
which their lands are held in trust. In
der such provisions compulsory means
! could be enacted to insure permanent
residence upon allotments and the adop-
ton Of civilized habits. In the absence
of such authority, agents are handi-
capped in their efforts to establish them
in fixed abodes and to make them self
supporting.
VII. What proportion of the land of
the reservation Of your agency is so well
adapted 70 agriculture as. in your opin-
ion, to enable an Industrious Indian to
slpport himself and his family upon $50
acres? Two-thirds of the allotments
There are many aIlotments only fit for
grazing and will not afford sufficient rev.
enue to support the allottee; where the
lands are unfit for agriculture at least $40
acres should DE allotted to individuals,
and when the lands are arid and water
is scarce, in my opinion, theyshould be
held in common.
VIII If cattle raising or sheep raising
is the prevalent and the most proftaole
industry for the Indians under your care,
what seems to be the effect Of this cccu-
nation upon the civilization and the self
support of the Indians? And what sug-
gestion Of any would you make as to
alIc+ting grazing land? Cattle and sheep
raising has not been prevalent with the
Indians under my care. With the eXcep-
tion Of a. very small number, they have
not been able to procure such breeding
stock, for want Of the necessary means.
TX. What provision has been made at
your agency for a permanent register of
allotments, and of the names Of allot-
tees? permanent register Of allot-
ments is kept at this agency.
X Is any register kept, from month
to month, Of the marriages, births and
deaths of Indians who have received Cor
who may be entitled to receive or to in
heriD aIlotments of land? If so, how,
and by whom, is this register kept? A
register of births and deaths is SO kept.
Farmers in charge Of districts are re-
uIired to report to this office, monthly,
all deaths, births, marriages, and di- |
vorces; aside from this, a correct census |
and enumeration of all the Indians is
taken OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES so and Decem- |
der 81. All legal marriages are consum- |
mated by clergymen or authorized civil /
officers and are recorded in the respect |
i've counties where the parties reside. |
The allotted Indians are. required to con- |
form 10 the avs in all respects governing |
white citizens.
XI. How are individual allotment |
boundaries marked, where allotments
have been made? Boundaries are defined
by the corner stones of the government
surveys as to quarter section, township
and range
XII Have you noted evils from lack
Of registration and records at your agen-
cy? They do not exist, but undoubtedly
would but for the measures adopted.
XIII. VIII WI offer suggestions as to
remedies for evils which you have noted?
The chief evils noted among allotted In
dams are tribal visiting, marriage &C
cording to Indian custom, recognition OF
chiefs. the maintenance Of medicine
men, and "dog soldiers" who act as
whippers in to the edicts Of the chiefs;
also the use Of the mescaI bean. As long
as these evils exist. repugnance is enSen-
lered and cultivated to the adoption Of
progressive methods. To remedy some OF
these evils. ! prevailed upon the terri
-orial legislature to enact laws re1uir-
ng all allotted Indians in the territory
a marry and be divorced like white PER
sons: also to prohibit the incantations
md practices of medicine men and the
Introduction and use Of the mescal bean.
Nothing short of the Legislature will sat
ice to prevent so-called chiefs from OK
,rcising control and bad influences over
he members Of their tribe. Tribal gov
.rnment will continue indefinitely with
lIotted Indians unless compulsory mells
IRE exerted to break it down. Agents
hould be given greater power to acca'l-
,Hsh this end and they should have the
launch support Of the department in en-
orciug all proper progressive methods.
government control over allotted T;.5ians
turing the trust period in which their
ands are held should be defined and ca
rcised. The money heretofore largely
appropriated for rations should, IN my
.pinion. be expended for breeding stock
UGH as cattle. sheep. hogs. etc, ana
IS e6 TO such deserving Indians as init.
ate a willingness and a dispoitlon 10
eep and properly care for the anne. A
eople who have always lived free ard
to follow the bent IF their IN
unations Will not willingly submit - re-
friction and prohibition in their indulg-
nee in harmful customs and habits. IN
ny opinion, their advent 20 fun and IN
citizenship ought 70 be based
II their willingness and ability 10 exer-
ise, appreciate and enjoy such rights,
nd this fact should be determined by