essary to make farming successful. They are easily discouraged; the failure of one crop is almost fatal to their hopes in that direction, and they are inclined to give up further effort. It must be understood, also, that many of them are located on reservations where the soil is poor, or no regular rains fall, or the climate is so severe and the seasons so short that it would be a difficult matter for a first-class white farmer to make a living. These drawbacks to the progress of the Indians must not be lost sight of in considering what results we have from the expenditures made by the Government to assist them. It cannot be expected that under such circumstances all or even many will at once, or in the course of the next five or ten years, step from the position of ignorant, shiftless, lazy savages to that of successful independent farmers; but this object is being constantly kept in view, and all official action taken by me will tend to that result, for in it, in my opinion, lies the only hope of the survival of any considerable portion of the Indian tribes.

In March last each Indian agent was informed that the permanent establishment of the Indians in agricultural pursuits should be considered the main duty of himself and every agency employé; that all must work for this result; that wherever practicable every able-bodied Indian who had not already done so must commence at once to cultivate a piece of ground, and that those who were already tilling small patches must be induced to go to work on a larger scale; that the farmers at the various agencies must not only advise and counsel with the Indians about farming operations, but must themselves go to work, and by example show them how to select proper land for cultivation, how and when to prepare it, when and what to plant, how to care for the growing crops, to harvest them, to prepare the produce for market, and to market it so as to make farming pay. At the same time they are expected to teach the Indians economy and foresight and patient perseverance, and to show them how to save seed for next year and how to care properly for their work animals and stock and provide food and shelter for winter use.

I considered it my duty to give these specific instructions, and I intend to see to it that they are fully carried out. Unless an Indian can be shown how he himself can farm to advantage, that is, make a comfortable living by farming without help from others, the effort to make him a farmer might as well be abandoned.

Since the beginning of the season good reports have been received from many of the agents, but of course it will be some years yet before it can be definitely ascertained just how far Indian farming has been established on a permanent paying basis. The annual statistical reports of the increased number of acres under cultivation or of the quantity of crops harvested cannot be depended upon to show this; it will only appear in time in the decrease of the amount of supplies to be purchased and the increase in the number of Indian families who have become permanently established in comfortable independence and in their bettered condition generally.

ADDITIONAL FARMERS.

By act of Congress, approved July 4, 1884, the sum of $25,000 was appropriated

To enable the Secretary of the Interior to employ practical farmers, in addition to the agency farmers now employed, at wages not exceeding $75 per month, to superintend and direct farming among such Indians as are making effort for self-support.

The results of the judicious expenditure of this appropriation were so satisfactory that the same amount was appropriated for like purpose by act of Congress approved March 3, 1885, for the year ending June 30, 1886. The rule was adopted of appointing such additional farmers directly by this office, thus giving an opportunity to investigate each application and ascertain the fitness of the applicant for the position. The results have been eminently satisfactory, and much good has been done by the additional farmers going among the Indians, acquainting themselves with the individual peculiarities and needs of each, and giving the instruction and assistance best suited to each case. Of the $25,000 appropriated, there remains unexpended a very small balance, caused by the fact that the service at a few agencies was not continuous through the year.

The results of the policy of employing additional farmers were of such marked benefit that it could no longer be called an experiment, and by act of Congress approved May 15, 1886, the sum of $40,000 was appropriated for this purpose during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887. By the expenditure of this increased amount in the employment of active, energetic men who have the best interests of the Indians at heart, there is no doubt that much good will result.

CARE OF AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS AT AGENCIES.

Reports of inspectors and special agents have called attention to the fact that at many agencies but little care has been exercised by the agents and employés to see that costly agricultural implements and mechanical tools of all kinds were issued only to the deserving and to those who were prepared to use them and take care of them. Agents seemed to think that they got rid of all responsibility in the matter, which they were desirous to do, by issuing these supplies and paying no further attention to them. Consequently, reapers and mowers, plows, harrows, wagons and harness, and all kinds of costly agricultural implements and mechanical tools were found scattered about on nearly every reservation-perhaps used only a few times, then thrown aside or left where last used, exposed to the weather and going to decay. In some instances fence-wire was given Indians who had no posts to attach it to and knew nothing of erecting a fence, and thrashing-machines and horse-powers, after being used one season, were left to the mercy of the elements until the succeeding year's crop called attention to them, when, in many cases, as might have been anticipated, they would be found to be damaged beyond economical repair, and estimates for new ones would be submitted.

In order to correct this abuse, each agent has been instructed that he must use judgment and discretion in issuing implements; that he must keep every article in a safe and sheltered place until actually needed for immediate use by a deserving Indian, one who will agree to take proper care of it when not in use; also that it is the duty of the agent and the employés to see to it that an Indian knows how to use what is given him, and that he has some means of taking proper care of it; and further, that if he neglects to do so, after having been warned and in disregard of the promises which should be required of him and embodied in his receipt for the article, it is the agent's duty to retake possession of such articles as are found lying around neglected, and to issue them to some one more deserving, and thereafter to discriminate against the Indian who disregards his promise and agency instructions. Agents have also been informed that they will be held

responsible whenever such agricultural implements and supplies as reapers and mowers, fanning-mills, horse-powers, wagons and harness, plows, &c., and also small mechanical tools, such as augers, axes, hatchets, hammers, &c., are found scattered about a reservation, not in use, but neglected and exposed to the weather. I understand that a great improvement in this respect has already taken place and its continuance will be insisted upon.

In the extract from my first report, already quoted, I expressed very decidedly the idea that Indians should be taught the English language only. From that position I believe, so far as I am advised, there is no dissent either among the law-makers or the executive agents who are selected under the law to do the work. There is not an Indian pupil whose tuition and maintenance is paid for by the United States Government who is permitted to study any other language than our own vernacular-the language of the greatest, most powerful, and enterprising nationalities beneath the sun. The English language as taught in America is good enough for all her people of all races.

It is yet undetermined what kinds of schools are best adapted to prepare the Indian for self-support and that independence which will enable him to meet and successfully encounter the shrewd competition which henceforth every one will find contesting his path in the social, civic, and business affairs of life. Indian educators themselves differ in opinion as to what kinds of Indian schools are preferable, and the same difference_exists among those in both houses of Congress who have charge of Indian matters. That each of the different kinds of schools or methods of education can lay some claims to merit cannot be denied.

The common day school on the reservation of course is the more economic method if limited to the immediate outlay of money for the time employed; but if viewed from the broader standpoint of permanent efficiency and enduring advancement of Indian youth, that plan may justly be challenged, for some years to come, by the friends of other methods as being not only the least efficient and permanent but eventually the most expensive. The greatest difficulty is experienced in freeing the children attending day schools from the language and habits of their untutored and oftentimes savage parents. When they return to their homes at night, and on Saturdays and Sundays, and are among their old surroundings, they relapse more or less into their former moral and mental stupor. This constitutes the strongest objection to this class of schools, and I fear that, in many instances, the objection is too well-founded. But as education and general civilization take deeper hold upon the Indian race, the day school on the reservation will show better results and must eventually become universal, as are our common schools in the States.

At this time, however, after the best examination I can give the subject, I would not advise any diminution of material aid and support to any of the different kinds of schools now fostered by the Government. All are doing most excellent and efficient service in their particular spheres, and all are performing a good part in the grand work of edu cating and civilizing the hitherto untutored Indians. The honor of this noble work belongs to the great American constituency and their representatives in both the legislative and executive branches of the Government; and I would call upon all officers and agents of the Government who come in immediate contact with our red brothers to im

press them with the great benefits that are thus conferred upon them, for which their hearts should swell with grateful emotion.

That the Indians are not lacking in appreciation of their educational advantages is shown by the following statistics, which do not include the schools among the five civilized tribes nor the Indians of New York State, nor boarding and day schools supported by religious societies without expense to the Government.

Other statistics and statements in regard to Indian education are given in detail in the report of the superintendent of Indian schools herewith. The above figures show that the attendance at all of the schools has been largely increased this year over that of last year, and that the per cent. of increase is larger in the boarding schools and day schools under agency supervision than in the other schools.

This office has used all diligence to introduce school books among the Indian pupils in accordance with the spirit of the late act of Congress requiring the use in the public schools of such text-books as teach the baneful influences of ardent spirits and narcotics on the human system I am thoroughly satisfied of the wisdom of the measure.

As an incentive to make the best use of the educational advantages afforded those pupils of both sexes who attend industrial institutions, I think it would be wise for Congress to make an appropriation from which every Indian youth who shall graduate from school and marry an Indian maiden who has also graduated may be assisted in settling down upon a homestead of 160 acres, in purchasing a team, in breaking and fencing land, and in building a house. If the homestead is not on an Indian reservation the man should also have the privilege of citi zenship, including the right of suffrage. Such a law would greatly en courage Indian youths and maidens in their resistance to the evil and savage influences of their untutored friends, and would do much to keep them from a return to savage life.

DEPREDATION CLAIMS.

In the Indian appropriation act approved March 3, 1885 (23 Stats, p. 376), provision was made for the investigation by this office of Indian depredation claims, embracing not only unexamined claims pending at that date, but also all others in favor of citizens of the United States which had already been examined and approved in whole or in part and remained unpaid, and which were chargeable against any tribe of Indians by reason of treaty obligations. This necessarily involved a careful review of previous office work upon this particular branch of business extending back to 1850, and embraced over 4,500 claims, aggregating $13,000,000.

A large portion of the claims were presented for adjustment prior to the act of May 29, 1872, which required that rules and regulations be prepared prescribing the manner of making up and presenting such claims. Consequently a preliminary examination showed that most of these claims were not made out in proper or legal form. It was also found that a large number had not been submitted in council to the Indians concerned, as required by law and Department regulations, and a vast amount of correspondence was needed to bring such cases within Department rules and legal requirements before final action thereon could be taken.

The work under the act referred to (March 3, 1885) commenced in the following July, and in compliance with the specific requirements of said act, lists of all claims were prepared, showing as to each, as far as could be ascertained, the name and address of claimant, the date of the alleged depredation, by what tribe it was committed, the date of examination and approval of the claim, with a reference to the date and clause of the treaty creating the obligation for payment. Considerable correspondence was required to obtain the proper addresses of a large number of the claimants, and the requirement that the "clause of the treaty creating the obligation" be given necessitated a thorough and careful investigation of all the laws applicable to such cases, and of all the treaties with the various Indian tribes. This preliminary work was performed as expeditiously as possible, and the lists were submitted to the Department on the 10th of March last. Since that date 109 additional claims have been filed in the office, aggregating $391,652.84.

On the 31st of March a schedule of 914 claims, which had been examined by the office in pursuance of the act of March 3, was submitted to the Department and transmitted to Congress, said claims aggregating $3,015,997.70. This list embraced nearly all the claims on file which were barred by the limitation clause of the act of June 3, 1834. On the 15th of May last an act was passed by Congress under which all of said claims have been returned to this office for further examination.

The office records of depredation claims had become so defaced and worn that it was found necessary to prepare new records or dockets, and to transfer thereto nearly all the claims which had been filed in the Indian Office for the past thirty years, with a record of the action had upon each. This work has been completed, and the records are now in good permanent shape for use and reference.

Reports upon depredation claims made prior to the act of March 3, 1885, were very meager, embracing no abstract of the evidence, and merely stating the conclusions drawn therefrom. Hence if at any time Congress should desire to judge for itself as to the correctness of the conclusions arrived at by the office, it would be necessary to make a re-examination of all the original papers. Every report made since March, 1885, embraces a liberal abstract of all the testimony, the reasons for the decision made by the office, and the history of all previous action had upon the case. Of course more time and labor must be expended in the preparation of such reports, but the results will be far more satisfactory to all parties interested.

Claimants are afforded opportunity to file additional proof, if they desire to do so, and claims involving considerable amounts of money are investigated and reported upon to the office by special agents in the field.

Since the acts of March 3, 1885, and May 15, 1886, claimants and their attorneys have been unusually active in their endeavors to secure early consideration for their respective claims, and this pressure has corre