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Show REPORT CIF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIA' AFFAIRS. 43 this direction; but whenever and wherever practicable this office has instructed agents and special agents to aid in the preparation of aopli-oations and in securing the proof required for an allotment. October 7,1890, Special Agent Lewis was instructed to proceed to; the vicinity of Redding, Cal., for the purpose of assisting the Wintu and Yana Indians. But soon afterward it becams necessary to detail him to ascertain a,nd report the condition of affairs among the Indians around Fort Bidwell, Ual., and subsequently his appointment as United States special attorney for the Mission Indians in that State caused a temporary cessation of. the work. October 13, 1890, Special Agent Litchfield was instructed to allot - lands to non-reservation Indians in Washinglon and Oregon and to aasiet Indian homesteaders in making, final proof and completing title to entries already made. November 5,1890, Agent Sears,oE the Nevada Agency, was instructed to aid certain Indians in Nevada in seouring their allotments, and hia successor, Agent Warner, is continuing the work. By act of March 3, 1891 (26 Stats., 989), the Secretary of the In-terior is ant,horized and directed to apply the balance of the sum car-ried upon the books of the Treasury Department, nuder the title of Homesteads for Indians, in the employment of allotiug agents, and pay-ment of their necessary expenses, to assist Indians desiring to take homesteads under section fourof the general allotment act. Michael Pig-gott, of Illinois, has been appointed special agent for the prosecntion of this work. Authority has been granted for the agent of the Mission Indians in California to use a portion oE the said funds for the purpose of assist-ing those who desire to take homes in the southern portion of that ' State. The offlce c;orrespoudence shows that many Indians, seeing th'e publie lauds rapidly disappearing, are manifesting a strong desire and areeven making efforts to secure a title to the lands which they have long used m d occupied. With the funds on hand and the agents in the field it is expected that the next year will witness much progress in this direction. PRACTICAL RESULTS OF ALLOTMENTS. I am not in receipt of enough information, nor indeed has sutlicieut time elapsed, to enable me to judge of the practical results of the allot-ment policy. I purpose at an early day to institute a series of careful inquiries regarding the status and prospects of individual Indiaus who have not only taken their lands, but have also endeavored to improve ! them. The result of such inquiries, if thoroughly prosecuted, ought to be very valnable to this office in administration as well as to Congress 1 in determining future legislation. I have seen nothing during the year to lead me to chal~gem y views aa to its ultimate success, althoughdoubtless the change will come with 1 too great suddenness to some of the tribes. I I ! |
