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Show 122 REPOltT OF THE OOMMISBIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIR8. Stats., 641), and ratified September 25; and one with the Creeks, approved June 30, 1902 (32 Stats., 500), ratified by them July 26, and proclaimed by the President August 8. There seems to he no necessity for any further agreements with these nations or with the other nation of the Five Civilized Tribes in the Indian Territory, and there appears to be no reason why the workof making rolls and allot-ting lands in severalty should not proceed with rapidity under these new agreements. Following the course heretofore adopted, matters in the Indian Ter-ritory will be discussed as coming, first, under the supervision of the inspector, J. George Wright, and, second, under the supervision of the Commission to the Five Civilized Tribes. Those matters directly under the supervision of the inspector will be considered under five heads, viz, education, mineral leases, collection of revenue, town sites, and timber and stone. The matters coming under the jurisdiction especially of the Commisrtion to the Five Civilized Tribes are those pertaining to citizenship in each one of the Five Civilized Tribes, to the allotment of lands and other property among the various members of those tribes, and to the segregation of town sites along lines of rail-road constructed or to be constructed in the Indian Territory. EDUCATION. General and specific control of the schools in the Choctaw, Chick-asaw, Creek, and Cherokee nations is assumed by the Department under provisions of sections 19 and 29 of the Curtis Act, and also under the terms of several supplemental agreements made between the Secretary of the Interior and the tribal authorities of the respec-tive nations. The authority of the Department in educational matters among these nations is administered through a general superintendent of schools in Indian Territory, assisted by a supervisor of schools appointed for each of the four nations. A better understanding of the purpose of the Government in assuming general control and direction of the schools among these tribes has been obtained, and therefore the conduct of the same has progressed with very little friction, a condition which has resulted in a manifest betterment of all classes of school work. The past year has been the most successful of any since general supervision has been taken by the Government. Reports indicate that the tribal authorities as.well as the Indians themselves seem convinced of the sincerity and evident intention of the Department to deal fairly and justly in all things connected with their educational necessities. Working in harmony with the United States officials has created a better feeling and spirit of emulation which has redounded to the best interests of the children. Both par-ents an4 pupils feel this spirit and enter into it. Owing to the unsettled conditions of the Territory in its present p i o d of expectant transition, the establishment of sufficient day |
