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Show REPORT OF THE COMMIBSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. 5 OBSTACLES TO SELF-SUPPORT. THE RATION SYSTEM. A matter that occupies the earnest attention of those who are engaged in Indian work and devoted to the cause of elevating the Indian race is the system that prevails and has prevailed for some time of issuing rations regularly to certain of the tribes. The ration system is the corollary of the reservation system. To confine a people upon reservations where the natural conditions are such that agriculture is more or less a failure and all other means of making a livelihood limited and uncertain, it follows inevitably that they must be fed wholly or in part from outside sources or drop out of existence. This is the situation of some of the Indian tribes to-day. It was not always so. Originally and until a comparatively recent period the red man was self-supporting. Leading somewhat of a nomadic life, he roamed with unrestricted freedom over the country in pursuit of game, which was plentiful, or located upon those spots fitted by nature to make his primitive agriculture productive. All this is changed. The advent of the white man was the beginning of the end. From east to west, from one place to another, like poor Jo in Bleak House, the Indian has been "movin' on" until he can go no further. Surrounded by whites, located upon unproductive reserva-tions often in a rigorous climate, he awaits the destiny which under existing conditions he is powerless to avert. Of the causes that led to this or of the wisdom or unwisdom of the policy pursued it is nob necessary now to speak. The purpose of this is to discuss the present and not to criticise the past. While much has been written about it, the extent of the ration sys-tem is probably not generally known. It may.contribute to a better understanding of the subject to describe the situation just as it is. According to the most reliable information the Indian population of the United States is about 267,900. Of this number, about 45,270 receive a daily ration. It is not meant by this that rations are given out daily, but that they are issued periodically, generally twice a month, the quantity issued being based upon a certain daily allowance for each individual. Issnes are made to the heads of families, each member of the family being counted, even to the smallest infant, except the children in boarding schools. These are not included in the number receiving daily rations given above. Except for the Sioux, who will be spoken of later, the kind and quantity of the subsistence issued is not fixed by treaty or agreement with the tribes, but is regulated by the Department according to the means and necessities of each tribe. The principal articles issued are beans, beef (or its equivalent in bacon), flour, coffee, and sugar. |