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Show l2EPOBT Oli' TBE COMM16SIONER O&" INDIAN AFEAIRS. 5 back. In passing it may he interesting toobserve that within the last thirty-three years there has been appropriated for the benefit of the Sioux nearly $60,000,000 for the purposes named. This was forwarded to the President by the Secretary of the Inte-rior in a letter dated November 26, 1900, which is referred to and partially quoted in his last annual report, the conclusion of which was that the time had come for Indians either to support themselves or at least to furnish a part of their own support; and this conclusion was heartily approved by the President. It then being winter, it was not considered judicious to make any immediate change in the prevailing policy, and so the issue of rations was continued as usual the remainder of that fiscal year. Before the next fiscal year opened, however, steps were taken to carry out the views expressed. On June 20, 1901, a letter was addressed to the Sioux agents, which, as it is the first enunciation of the future policy to be pursued, is given in full: DEPARTMEONFT T EE INTERIOR, OFFICE OP INDIAK APPAIRS, U'anhington, .June 90, 1901. , SIR: As the next fiscal year is approaching, when new arrangements will go into effect for the support and civilization of your Indians, it is a proper time to address you on the subject of the issuance of rations to the Indians on the Sioux reservations. As you are doubtless aware, this subjeet has had the earnest attention of those who are actively engaged in the Indian Service as well aa those who, though not connected wikh it in an official capacity, sympathize in the work, and the almost univelnl opinion is that the indiscriminate issue of ratibus is a bindmce rather ' than a help to the Indlans. The fact is recognized that a majority of your Indians,.perhaps a large majority, are unable to support themselves, even if they would, except only partially, and therefore must be subsisted wholly or in part as contemplated by the agreement of 1877. On the other hand, it is a well-known fact that a large number of persons classed as Indians have profited by the assistance they have received irom the Gov-ernment and are now not only beyond want but; in many instances, are prosperous and often affluent. How many of these there are is not known to this office, but it is certain that having reached the stage of self-support they are no longer entitled to the ration prescribed hy the agreement referred to. In order that there may beno misunderstanding as to the meaning of this, the earnest attention of your Indians is invited to a correspondence that took place last fall. ln October, 1900, the office received a letter signed by Sioux Indians of the Rosebud Agency, addressed to the President, relative to their condition, their pros-pects. and their needs. They referred to the Black Hills agreement of 1877, the reduction that had been madein the ration prescribed thereby, the loss of income by rednced freighting, their inability to raise much upon their land, and asked the Presi-dent to answer them through their went and tell them if he could help their people. This letter was forwarded to the honorable Secretary of the Interior with a brief report as to the numberof the Sioux, the benefitsand meaning of the so-called Black Wills treaty, the rations provided for the current year, the disposition of hides, the income from their trust fund, the numbercf cattle they were able to sell the Govem-ment to he issued back again, and othrr particulars relating to their welfare. The Secretary of the Interior trausnritted the Indians' letter to the President, on |
