Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-24

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vic read the article, are able to grasp In
its entirety the point at issue, because or
general ignorance of the way in which
the Indian is cared for. AS matter OF
fact. the American Indian Is looked after
and his affairs administered In one cor
ner of the pension Office building, right
here in Washington. in what is known as
the Office Of Indian affairs. The Office
was moved from the old Post Office build
ing in July.
Though the space occupied by this office
is not extensive, its work and reponsi-
bilities cover a vast field. From the time
an Indian is born until he dies-unless
he has proven himself capable of taking
care of himself and his affairs-he is
constantly under the care and In the
keeping of this office. At his birth he is
registered, in his childhood he is cared
for and his education secured, later a
trade, as well as food and rainent, Is
provided him. AS a man histwrongs are
here adjusted, and always his property
rights are protected, while in the event
OF his death this office administers his
estate.
Considering the fact that the Indian
population, exclusive of Alaska, is about
300. 500, the matter of keeping complete
history of each man, woman and child
who has in his veins as much as OIL
siXtyfourth of 1nulan blood assumes an
Importance that invests the office of In
dian affairs with value almost phenOm-
email.
In the long-aeo days when the Indian
roamed the valleys. woods and hills clad
i'll picturesque array, with headdress
of feathers and war cry that struck
terror to the heart Of his enemy, he was
king. When he hunted. bringing in the
game for his squaws TO prepare while he
smoked his pipe and grunted his salts
faction as they labored. he was a lord.
He spent his days hunting, fishing, fight
ing and recounting his valor-but he
never worked. He was a brave king of
the earth and lord of his household, and
he obeyed his own will. migrating from
place to place, followed by his admiring
family, happy. free and fearless.
With the coming of the pale face his
weakness was betrayed. This weakness
was a savage vanity. For a few beads,
blankets and baubles he bartered his
nent at first, and his plight was not bad.
But as civilization crept apace he was
thrust farther and farther from his
former unlimited domain, until at last
utility demanded the opening of the lands
he was holding and making no use Of,
for he still lived his nomadic life with no
conception of progress, and the United
States government took up the matter.
Treaties were entered into from time to
time by which the Indians were given
certain tracts OF land and cash payments,
the latter to he held In trust for their
use and to be paid out according to the
terms of the treaty under which it was
deposited in the Treasury of the United
States.
AT The present time the government Of
the Indians is carried forward with a
strict adherence to the laws Of equity.
They are not robbed, browbeaten or
bribed. AS long as they remain wards of
Uncle Sam their interests are carefully
secured and protected by the government,
through the Office of Indian affairs. To
eacn man. woman and child Is allotted q
certain amount of land under a trust
patent. which holds for twenty-five years.
This trust patent precludes all possibility
OF the Indian selling or otherwise dispos-
ing of his allotment except with the spe-
citic sanction of the government.
In this way his home is preserved to
him, even against his will, should he be
disposed to part with his holdings If
however he proves himself thrifty, cul-
tivating and improving his land, and dem.
onstrating himself to be capable OF
managing his own affairs and supporting
himself and family, he is given q patent
in fee. or absolute title to the land
No white man is allowed 10 go among
the Indians without their permission and
man who fraudulently buys an In
dams land is summarily dealt with by