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Show REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. 9 of gaining subsistence by the chase which is a relic of barbarism and an obstruction to the progress of Indian civilization. I am not dispgsed to favor any monopoly of the business; but, on the contrary, shall grant a sulEcient number of traders' licenses to secure H wholesome competition,, At the same time I shall hold them to a rigid accountability j, and any failure to conform to the rules and regulations of this office will cause the speedy revocation of a trader's license. THE BOARD OB INDIAN C016?dISSIONERS. Since the year 1870 the influence exerted by the Board of Indian Com-missiouers has made itself felt in the purification of the Indian service. Prior to that time it was the custom to receive bids for annuity goods and supplies in classes. By t,his system a bidder was obliged, for ex-ample, to bid for all the dry-goods needed in one class, i. e., to make a price for every article in the long list called for, the bureau reserving the right to alter quantities to suit its requirements. Under this sys-tem the contract went year after. year to one house, and was looked upon by the public as a practical monopoly, so much so that competi-tion fell off, one house seeming always to have inside information from some one connected with the bureau. The original Board of Indian Commissioners aimed its first blow at this faulty system, and secured a reform in this particular by requiring bids to be made for each article separately. By this method only, a fair competition could be had. From this date a decided improvement in the manner of purchasing Oook place. After the resignation of the original board, consisting of Messrs. Brnnot, Stuart, Welsh, Dodge, Farwell, Bishop, and Uampbell, in the early part of 1874, there was a change for the worse in the purcha~es for the year 1184, when a loose system of purchase and inspection again prevailed, and loud and earnest complaints were made, among which were those by Professor Narsh, on the inferior quality of all goods pur-chased. On the filling up of the hoard in July and August, 1874, the system of the original board was again established, and improved in some particulars. The main action of the board has been in the interests of good gov-ernment, and it has exerted a beneficial effect in reforming the service; and although it has had many difficulties to contend with within its organization, its influence has been salutary, and has tended to keep out abuses. THE NEZ PERC* WAR.. The Nez Per48 originally inhabited the country in Idaho lying be-tween the Bitter Root and Blue Mountains, 'rtnd extending from the Pelonse River on the north to the Salmon River and Valley on the sooth. By the treaty of June, 1855, signed by fifty-eight chief%, head-men, and delegates, a portion of this Territory on the west and south was ceded to the United States, Chief Lawyer occupying the Hamiah Valley, Big Thunder the Lapwai, Timothy the Alpowai, Joseph the Wallows, and Billy the Salmon River Valley. Upon the discovery of gold in the fall of 1860 the reservation wm soon overrun with settlers rushing to the mines, and to avoid a conflict between hhem and the Indians an agreement was entered into, but not confirmed by Uongress, on the 10th of April, 1861, between Superin-tendent Geary and Agent Cain on the one part, and Chief Lawyer, 1 with forty-seven chiefs, headmen, and delegates, on the other part, |