Amador ledger., 1905-12-01
The Indian Reservation.

The indian reservation. four miles
northeast of Jackson, is in a bad
way financially. The United States
established this asylum for the poor
red men hereabouts, where they could
find home under the supervision of
government officials. In It's estab-
lishment it is possible that poll
tics and self-interest played an i'm
portant role. Be that as it may. the
reservation has been running for a
number of years, ostensibily for the
benefit of the remnants of the Digger
tribe in this region, and IT is the
duty of the government while contin-
uing the establishment to see that it
provided with means to carry out its
objects. Geo. o. Grist has had charge
OF the reservation for several years.
He is of kindly and sympathic ma
ture, and the native sons and daugh-
! ters are satisfied and contented, as
far as his oversight is concerned.
They have no fault to find with him
personally.
The number of Indians on the res
ervatiOn at present is twelve. Since
Mr.. Grist took charge, the number
cared for at one time was 26, and this
we believe is the greatest number
that has even been on the reserve at
one time. These Digger wards of the
government have been falling off in
number for several years. Instead of
being attracted toward this "home, ;"
they are being driven away. And
the cause OF this exodus is a damag-
ing indictment against the United
States. 1t seems that no appropria-
tion has been made by congress for the
support of this reservation for the
past two years. No rations are served
and provision made even to pro-
vide seed for planting necessary food
stuffs. The Indians are left absolute
ly without any protection, save the
root that covers them. Some of them |
are old and infirm. One old squaw
was between so and 80 years old, and |
stone blind. She came from Drytown |
and remained on the reservation until |
she was fairly starved by this policy
of "no appropriation. Last spring |
she returned to Drytown, and fares
much better from the neighbors there
than from the tender mercies of the
government. The few left try to exc
out living Ey begging from the
neighboIs. The neighbors are few in
that vicinity, and hence the straits
to which the ward are reduced
makes it a serious matter for them.
Some we hear, have had for their
own protection, to refuse to listen to
their appeals entirely. They can till
the soil fairly we'll, still their efforts
in this direction are badly handicap-
ped by no funds.
The government pays the salary OF
the resident agent. and provides not
dollar to carry out the benevolent
work expected of him. Appeals have
OOOh W AOhiOoJ
but in vain. AS it now exists the
reservation Is a farce; sham institu-
tion, and disgrace to rich country
like the United States. Formerly
$4,000 per annum was appropriated for
the support of these indians, the last
two years not cent. 70 pretend to
care for tham and laava than to bau
or starve, is unworthy of the Indian
department. Better abolish the re-
servatlon altogether than keep it a
standing discredit to the United
States authorities. Congressman
Gillette will no doubt endeavor to |
remedy the condition of affairs at
the reservation during the coming
session of congress.