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Show DOMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. 45 1 recently a complete reorganilation of the rwrvation employees has been I effected. It is my conviction that Supt. Estep has the situation well in hand and that he is develoDinK such a chanw as will soon brina about a revolution in the moral, educatioi?l,and industrial condition of the Crow Indians. I found a s~lendid mirit of cooperation among the Crows and an aDDarent desire on thei; part to-take advantage of tbeir oipportunities in sucll a-serious way as to encourage me in believing that they really desire to in all respects raise their standards. This is clearly exemplified in the fact that last summer with aggressive ' encouragement they cut and stacked several thousand tons of hay for the new tribal herd: that last fall they plowed the ground and pnt in a great deal larger acreage of fall wheat than in any previous year; and that this spring they have asked for and sowed more than 3 carloads of seed wheat. The Indian fair held at the agency last year was a splendid success, free from degrading influences or conduct, altogether representative of a happy, industrious, and prosperous agricultural people. Such an exhibition and oppor-tunity for enjoyment is greatly to be encouraged, and it is the intention, as it is the prospect, that at the coming fall the Crow Indians shall have another agri-enltural fair which will surpass the one of last year and be a real indication of their progress and a source of pride to their race. The agency farmers, stock men, and other industrial employees on the reserva:, tion have found a new spirit among the Crows. I am recently in receipt of an extended and detailed report from Supt. Estep which shows that the efforts now being made to improve general conditions on the reservation nre meeting with very gratifying success. ' It is felt that the Crow Indians are now at a stage in their development where, with proper sympathy and encouragement, the entire tribe will make rapid strides in all that goes to develop independent, self-respecting, and self-support-ing citizens. This condition makes it urgent that no step be taken which might in any manner interfere with their progress. Anything which encourages the Indians to array themselves in warlike cos-tumes of the past, to participate in old-time dances, so-called Wild West shows and the like, must tend to emphasize the hablts and customs of long ago which, " if the Indian is to assume the burden and enjoy the privileges of citizenship, . must disappear. Such exhibitlons likewise tend to give the public a wrong idea of the present condition existing among them by givlng prominence to the Indian who delights in the atmosphere. and exhibitions of the Wild West show at the expense and in discouragement of the progressive and industrious Indian whose children are in school. whose wife is a good housekeeoer. and who is a.~.D .l ~-i nhigm self to industrialaccomplishments in harmony with the new life which sllould be involved In the white man's civilizing influence. Everything considered, I am quit; of the opinion that the best interests of the Crow Indians demand that they be permitted to remain undisturbed rather than that they attend celebrations in near-by towns with injurious results to themselves, disaster to their crops, stock, and home interests, and thereby to some extent justify the frequent charge that they are not progressive and eontribute nothing to the world's production or our advancing civilization. For these and other reasons I am not in favor of the practlce of permitting Indians to pnrtidpate in the type of exhibitions ordinarily given in connec-tion with Wild West shows. It is inconsistent with the present policy of the Indian Bureau. |