OCR Text |
Show 6 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. The following comparative table will show the different objects of appropriation : TABLE 1.-Appvopdatima for the Indian 8wvice for the$soaZ years 189.5 and 1897. As stated in my previous report, the appropriation bill for 1896 con-tained several items not properly belonging to the current expenses of the Indian service, the aggregate of which was $2,047,039. Deducting this from the total amount appropriated, there remained for the current expenses of 1896 $6,716,712.24. The appropriation bill for the current year also contains a number of items outside of theregular expenses, which, while not large in them-selves, foot up a considerable amount. These are items such as for the commission to negotiate with the Five Civilized Tribes, commissions to negotiate with other tribes, surveying particular reservations, pay-ments of private claims, etc., and they aggregate $146,958.62. Deduct-ing this from the total amount appropriated, there remains as repre-senting current expenses of the year as contained in the Indian appro-priation bill $7,042,638.17. Comparing the two years, we haw-- Current expenses for 1897 ............................... $7,042,538.17 Current expenses for 1896 ............................... -6,71-6,712.2 4 Excess of 1897 over 1896.. ......................... 325,826.93 From an examination of the foregoing table it will be seen that this excess is more than acconnted for in the item for support of schools, which was of necessity increased on account of the absorption of con-tract schools by the Government and the consequent extension of the Government school system. The estimate for the fiscal year 1897 presented to Congress by this office aggregated $8,750,458.17, of which $1,660,000 was for the pay-ment of the second iustallment on the Cherokee Outlet. Outside of this, therefore, the estimate was for $7,090,468.17. The amount appro-priated for current expenses was 87,042,538.17, or $47,920 less than the estimates. EDUCATION. Notwithstanding the great difficulties to beencountered in the devel-opment of a complete educational system for the Indians, progress in that direction during the past year has been very satisfacto~y. The Carrent and contingent er enaea ....................................... Treat obligations with 1%ians.: .................................. ~ i ~ ~rnatnities~ ........~........~.........~.........~. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Incidentalexpenssa.. .................................................... Misosllaneoos ............................................................ Support of Bcbools ....................................................... Trastfunds,interest ..................................................... Payment forland ....................................................... Total ...................... : .................................... $727, Bao. 00 2,882,117.10 695 625. W 82:050.00 549.903.63 2;056.515.00 8.870.42 1,660,000. W 8,183,751.84 $738 640.00 2.83)38:378.17 671 125. W 84~000.00 2k4,588.62 8.517.265.00 ............................ -- 7,188,496.78 |