| OCR Text |
Show 152 REPORT CONCERNING INDIANB m COLORADO. The resent year has been a favorable one for crops thus far, and a good harvest is assured: but the prevalence of hbor troubles thloughout the State makes the market conditions very uncertain, and prices will be a matter of conjecture Ednoationa1.-Thefimtschml to beerected on the Southern Ute Reservation was put in operation on the 19th of Novemberand has been an unqualified succees. The report of the wperintendent herewith shows a most healthy institution for one of ita age. The Southern Utes have been the hardest of all tribes to conquer in an educational way, and prior to the erection of a school at this agency the outlook vas discourag-ing, but at present all is aatisfactary and the animosity of the chiefs, allotted and unallotted, as to schools has been overcome. Irrigation.-This question is one that reqnim eanetant and unremitting vigilance. The waters of Pine River, upon which are dependent our best allotments, are under-gain process of adjudication in the State courts, and no efforts are bem s red to cut t%e Indians to the minimum; hut as this is entirely a legal matter, an% tg&e bmi-neas rests with the judicial branch of the Federal Government, I pans it with the assurance that no advantage that can accrue to the Indians by right of priority will be waived, surrendered, or nefeeted. The Utes enjoy certain locations of water rights beiore the opening of t elr lands for sale, as rovided for in law approved February, 1895, and the few located then and-ricorde8are equal to the demands for all and every purpose. It is a matter of regret that tbe Navaho Springs Indians are still without water, as they own some of the best land in the State with water and absolutely worthleaa without. This matter has been the anbjeet for repeated and voluminous reports by inspectors, specid agents, and agents for years and needs no repetition as conditions are unaltered. The Dolores River is the one and only source of supply. The con-struction of storage reservoirs is a system that guarantees a flow in d and unfa-vorable ears, and there is always a heavy flow until the latter part orblay, even though t%e snowfall in the mountains be light. I hope that the present year will witness a change in the direction of providing: water for the Navaho Springs Utm, as it was the basic promise by which they were induced to accept the lands where they now reside, an authorized promiae by then Commiaaioner Meredith L. Kidd. I question the policy and principle of withholding from Indians that which they were promised by Government agents, that which they have the money to pay for, and which is essential to render them self-sustaining by industry or lease. This reservation furnishes a most striking example in matter of pr as of the Indian. On the east half, where allotments have been taken, the 1nXns farm, dress, and conduct themselves generally after the manner of their white neighbors. On the west half, where there is no opportunity given them to advance, living in a veritable desert the unallatted Southern Utes. remain in practically the same condi-tion as regards fivilization as they were years a o Conc1nsion.-I would state that the phsition of indian agent for the Southern Utes was abolished on July 1 of theprmnt ear and changed into the *vil service. This agency, locatedas it is in the center orone of the best sections of Colorado, has long been a ta'get for politicians from which no good to the Service could result, the agent and employees being under constant fire of o5ce-seekers and meddlers. Thanking the. pepartment for its earnest cooperation in the advancement of the Southern Utes, I am, Very respectfully, JO~E0P. ES qtm, ~Sup-t. The COHMI&EIONOEP ~I NDIAANrrn rm. REPORT OP SUPERINTENDENT OF SOUTHERN UTE IEOHOOL. Attand.no&--Gu~ (.~lrullmel,l rearhtll 7'2 pupil- rirls ~ n f 4l? M y 6 9 fullblwdodr nsd 3 hall- 111%d~ ~ .I h c avemyr n t t r n d a n r t by "anen. i s a. follorr: Sreaocl uaner 1% l h l d quancr.61. fnurrtl q u a r t r . . ~ ~ .o n rlla clay ui the'~l .e!ua~1~1: PUL . ~ .U~P TC plarr4 in .rho II bv the.r 8 n . n ~ . The jR" .n~ 1 6 1Ry c # l all dHY m8 k i n ~R 11 .M11gh iil\p,'CtI<~II0 1 t l ~ e ~ ~ h othc.p~"ln.l ng I a I b In t&afr(.r-nnsn xl.b.irnnl? well pltksdl urtll rhea.h,ol. Fmur r l . l ~ d~~t tn~url~h r 1nrtt.r pnn of il,~rcso,,~,I!r e BIU.U~~I !CCt l~ndl l yin cr(.t+~.c,l unnl our cnr .llm.l:r rcn<hrd 57 i.nphi\. but nt rh~l.i me n dctp rrlvw |
