Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1903-11-12
RED MEN or TO-DAY.
They DO Not Have to Work. Greatest
Wealth 10 In Land.

BY the census of 1900 there were
in the United States proper. not In
Guiding Alaska. 23T.196 Indians de-
crease OF Also. or 1915 per centum
since 1890. No enumeration OF In
dams not taxed and living in tribal
relations was ever made prior to the
date last mentioned. SO there is no
sure way to estimate the number OF
these people at the time of their great
est strength. Reliable authorities
claim. however, that they never ex-
ceeded 600. 900. and that their lessen
ing numbers are due not only to dis
ease, but in large part to the assim-
ilation going on with the white poo
pie.
The red men are scattered through
out all the States and Territories in
the union. Excepting Indian Terri
tory and Alaska, Arizona. with 264SO,
has the largest aboriginal population,
while the remaining list worthy OF
notice runs in the following order.
South Dakota. 20,225; California,
1897: New Mexico. 1884; 0klaho-
ma, II ,945; Montana. 11,343: Washing
ton. 10.O39: Minnesota. 9,1S2; Wiscon-
sin. 1912: North Dakota. GOES: Michi-
gan,6.354; North Carolina, 5,6S7; New
York, 5257. and Nevada, 5,216. Alaska
has an Indian population of 29.036,
and Indian Territory has $500.
The Indians, as class, are the
worst and most worthless set of poo
pie in this country. but. nevertheless,
they are cared for better than all
others. They have funds in the United
States Treasury amounting to 500
636.037, AT. drawing $l.T2l 913.33 in
terest yearly. Their total annual in
come from all sources is S5.33S .SS0.54,
and they cost the overnment, If we
include the gratuities and treaty ohli-
cations already reckoned in above. In
come. a grand total which amounted
last year to 1916, 1900. These
figures do not embrace the individual
earnings of these people, many of
whom are employed in the Govern
ment and agency service at salaries
running from $1,000 to $1,000 a year.
Others also have private fortunes and
sources of revenue The United States
pays out 100000 for the item Of
Indian education. Free money is not
the only boon enjoyed by these semi
barbarous people They own 343.300
horses, mules and burros, 21S,S19
cattle, 50,365 swine, 567 ,941 sheep,
90.913 goats and 254,2S5 domestic
fowls, in addition to much other valu-
able property.
Their greatest wealth. however, Is
their land. Their reservations con-
tain 1892 square miles, or 70. 116.713
acres-an area greater than that of
Maine. New Hampshire, Vermont,
Rhode Island. Connecticut, Massachu-
sets. New York and Delaware COM
bined. which States sustain as against
the 237, 1876 Indians a total population
of 13.044,679.
This in substance is the condition
of the American Indian, the wealth
est, best cared for. and in some re-
spects the worst people in this coun-
try. They have schools. churches,
and a Government which guarantees
them safety and order without ex-
pense to themselves. They do not
have to work, and do not work The
nation provides for them as a benevo-
lent father does for his children. They
have absolute freedom from toll and
worry, with all opportunities which
an ambitious people might desire, yet
they make no effort to rise, and for
that matter appear to be well-Eigh IN
capable of further development.-Kan-
sas City Journal.