OCR Text |
Show COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFBIRS. 67 least 200,000 Indians, have forsaken the teepee and live in houses built largely in a sanitary manner. E~idences of material and humanitarian advancement are every-where apparent. Industrially and socially the Indians are making unparallelled strides toward self-support and civilization. I have discovered that with sympathetic cooperation and intelligent en-couragement their response is almost universal. I have been exceedingly gratified with the very general approval given our new declaration of policy by the Indians and white citizens of the country. There is every indication that it will speedily bring about a revolution in the administration of Indian affairs, greatly benefitting the Indians, with a corresponding reduction in appro-priations. The Indian problem cm not be solved in a day, it must he brought about in a deeply serious, in all respects courageous, and continuously sympathetic manner, hut the time is approaching when governmental care and supervision will, generally speaking, become unnecessary. However, erery true friend of the Indian should guard against pre-cipitate and ill-advised action. All this has been made possible by your sincere cooperation and the loyal ooniidence and support of those engaged with me in this work. Very respectfully, CATO SELLS, Commissioner. The SECBETARY OF THE INTERIOR. |