The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-11-16
The State Day BY Day.
STOCK o INDIANS.
.Government Issue Would Help to
Make Them self-supporting.

Government Issue Would Help to
Make Them self-supportinE.
"A Cannon Ball advice says: There
are on this reservation about 1900 head
OF cattle, or about four head to every
person. OF course, there are hundreds
;5of Indians with no cattle at all, and
some mixed-bloods have 100 head or
over. It is certainly not an edifying
sight to see a lot Of able-bodied young
fellows receive a daily ration; but no.
body has as yet suggested what these
young men are to do for a living.
White men do not want them, for they
have an abundance Of help from their
own race. The help needed on the res
ervation, by individuals, is confined to
asfew mixed-blood and white ranchers,
and a few government employees.
Thte most feasible scheme to place
these Indians on a self-supporting ba-
sis would be to make an issue Of stock
cattle to those who have lone, have
them put up hay, and also raise q little
S$rn and potatoes. In from six to ten
.ANars there would be surplus cattle suf-
sftient to keep the Indians In, compare
tive luxury. The incorrigible ones, who
would not try to do anything, would
have to be left to their own resources.
The least encouraging fact about the
Indians here is is that the rising gener-
alton is the least progressive. Those
who go to schools in the East seem to
have less ambition than those who at
tend schools onsthe reservation, Capt.
Pratt's Recommendation to gradually
abolish these large Eastern schools. is
a good one, so far as results on this
reservation show
It is a curious fact that Indians
known as "hostiles," that is, those who
participated in the recent outbreaks,
are by far the most progressive, nearly
all having nice little herds Of cattle,
horses and other stock. They live far
out on, the reservation and have, little
contact with white men. On the other.
hand, those who have been most friend
ly and live along the river, where they
are in constant association with the
whites, are shiftless. have little or no
stock, and very little Of anything else.
This issue Of cattle could be made
from tribal funds now in the hands OF
the government, and it would not cest
the government a cent. Meanwhile, the
issuance of rations could be gradually
decreased, and the large force Of en-
ployes reduced. In ten years at the
outside, Lo would be on a self-sustain-
ing basis, and about all the force need
ed at the agency. would be an agent, a
clerk and a few police. s
It is considered q species of treason
on the reservation to suggest a with
drswal Of government aid, and all seem
imbued with the idea that the present
condition of things will last forever.
There is, however, little doubt that the
president will make a reference to the
ration question in his message. He re-
Gently had an interview with Commits
sioner Jones on the subject. That he
will recommend the adjustment Of the
system wherever practicable is to be
expected: @ ia
There has been some progress in self
sustaining lines during the last few,
years. Under the present system the
Indians are compelled to take good
care Of their stock. A few years OF pa
thence and gradual reduction Of gov
ernment aid, and the Indian will prob
ably be able to take care of himself.
But a radical departure from present
methods would undoubtedly prove cost
" to both whites aud Indians.