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Show R E P O R T 01- THE BOARD OF INDIAN COMMISSIONERS. WASHINI~TODN., C., January 15,18516. SIR: We have the honor to submit the twenty seventh annual report of the Board of Indian Commissioners. Since our last report the vacancies caused by the lamented death of HOII. Elhert B. Monroe and Hon. Charles C. Painter have been filled by the appointment of Bishop 8. B. Whipple, of Minnesota, and Mr. Francis E. Leupp, of this city. PURCHASE OF SUPPLIES. We have discharged the duties required by law relating to the pur-chase of Indian supplies, ,assisting the honorable Oomnlissioner of Iudian Afiairs in opeuing blds, inspecting samples, and awarding con-tracts in Ohioago from April 30 to May 14; in New York, from May 21 to June 6, and again in Chicago, at a special letting, from October 29 to 31. From such oversight as we have been able to give to 8ubSequent deliveries of goods, we are confident that in the main contraotors have dealt honorably, furnishing supplies equal in quality to the samples selected. In a few cases it has been necessary to reject deliveries of flour 'nd shoes. We are glad to testify to the vigilance of the inspect-ors employed in this service. FIELD WORK. After r l~ean .trd of contracts ill Chicago was (.o~npletedO,I IV secretary visitrd the 1.3 I'oiute .I~oucJ., ill \?'i?i~o~~wsihue.r e lie fouud T.irur. 15'. A. JIercer, 1'. 5. .\.,all eltrnedt nlrd eflicienr Indian a g e ~ ~ tH. is 614!e111e tor utilizing the I~trnber by ereeti~lg n~illn o~r the reuervatior~s autl entl)l,~yi~I ~I gI ~ ~ ~IS I IIuIm*b er~ueua nd ulill I~andsis n p~ncticalti ncce>s. anci xrhrtiiv of imitation at other aeenaies where la,rr<lnmber interests a,re found." It is much more profitable than the usua method of selling the stumpage, and it promotes self-supporting industry, the building of comfortable houses, and many improvements. We would be glad to see the White Earth agent, instrncted to adopt the same method upon the great lumber tracts in Minnesota. In Anril last Commissioner Smilev visited the Pvramid Lake wd ~ ~ l k e r ' f i i vke?rs er\.atioua, i l l ?Jr~ndnf.o r the p!trD~F'oef iuveritigating the aistla~wo f a measure ~ ~ r o l ~ si ne Ct lo ngress touchi~lgt he interetit~o f the 1niIi;tns ow~liltgt l~osrr esrrr;itir~us. The investigation w.ie notl~or. ized by the 111tt.riorl lepnrt~nvntu pon t l~ns 11g~estio1of1 lnernher'i of t l~i sB O ~ I rIl.~~a rt he 11ill propow(l, if el~acte~ul~, igl~grt ~a t lyW T O I I ~th e 9% |
