of field-notes of survey; keeps a record of all Indian deeds approved by the Department, and of all treaties and agreements made with the various Indian tribes. Tract books of all Indian reservations that have been fully surveyed are kept, showing subdivisions of land and the dispositions made thereof. It has charge of all matters relating to the location and removal of Indians; the removal from the reservation of persons considered detrimental to the peace and welfare of the Indians; all matters relating to crimes and offenses committed by Indians either on or off the reservations; also, all matters pertaining to railroad companies having right of way through Indian reservations, and the consideration of claims to compensation therefor, and to damages, direct and consequential, resulting therefrom; all claims for arrears of pay, pensions, and bounty claims by reason of the military service of Indians pass through this division. The examination of contracts with any tribe or individual Indians for the payment of money, etc.; questions relating to the guardianship of minors, settlements of estates of decedents, the reclamation of property stolen or illegally sold, and remedies for trespass belong to this division, which is also charged with the construction of treaties and of laws enacted for the benefit of the Indians; the determination of all the vexed and multifarious legal questions arising among a semi-civilized people, and between them and their white neighbors, as well as all matters pertaining to the civilization and advancement of the Indian. All bills originating in either House of Congress which affect Indian lands or any claims arising from or connected with them are referred to this division for examination and report. The clerical force consists of the chief, one clerk of class 4, three clerks of class 3, two clerks of class 1, four clerks of lower grade, one draughtsman, one record clerk. Accounts division.-The accounts division has charge of the examination and recording of bonds given by Indian agents; the cash and property accounts of all disbursing officers of the Indian Bureau, and examines and audits the same, preparatory to their final settlement by the accounting officers of the Treasury; determines all questions relative to the quantities and distribution of supplies; examines monthly and weekly statements of balances of public funds, weekly statements of issues of supplies, and quarterly reports of employés; has supervision of the appointment and discharge of agents and all agency em. ployés, except school employés. All correspondence pertaining to the accountabililty of agents for public funds and property placed in their hands is conducted in this division and a permanent record kept thereof. The clerical force consists of the chief, 2 clerks of class three, 8 clerks of class two, 2 clerks of class one, 5 lower grade, and 2 record clerks. Education division.-The education division, under general direction of the Superintendent of Indian Schools, has supervision over all questions relating to Indian schools; has charge of all records and cor respondence relating to their management; supervises all plans and specifications for school buildings; prepares all contracts for education of Indians; fixes all positions and salaries of school employés, and has supervision of their appointment and discharge. The clerical force consists of the chief, 1 clerk of class three, and 3 copyists. Records and files division.-The records and files division keeps a reg ister of all letters received; the records of all correspondence issuing from the office; files, in proper order, of all papers relating to the service received by the Office. The clerical force consists of the chief, 2 clerks of class two, 1 clerk of class one, 3 record clerks, 2 messengers. The general office employs 1 messenger, 1 assistant messenger, 1 laborer, 1 messenger boy. FIELD ORGANIZATION. The field work of the Indian Department is under the charge of 60 agents, 609 employés, exclusive of school employés, and 5 special agents. Also 5 inspectors, who report directly to the Secretary of the Interior. Agents. Indian agents are "nominated by the President and appointed by and with the consent of the Senate." Each Indian agent holds his office for four years' and until his successor is appointed and qualified. He must give bond with not less than two sureties, and the several sums in which the sureties justify must aggregate at least double the penalty of the bond. Upon assuming charge the agent shall take an inventory of all public property on the reservation, and shall receipt for the same to his predecessor. An agent shall, if required, perform the duties of two agencies for one salary, and he shall not depart from the limits of his agency without permission. In the absence of the agent, an employé shall serve, he having been authorized by the agent in writing. Three copies to be made of this authorization, one to be kept by the acting employé, ono in the agency files, one sent to the Indian Office, signed by the employé and certified to by the agent. The agent to be held responsible under his bond for all acts of the employé.9 Duties of agents.-The office of agent being of so great importance to the welfare of the Indians, the popular demand seems to require this officer to be not only the Government official, but the philanthropic leader of the people over whom he is placed. Should the agent be a man of large capacity he might be able to fulfill these requirements. There have been and are such men in the service. In order that something of the legal demands upon this bonded officer may be known, the following partial enumeration of the duties of agents is given. A full statement United States Statutes at Large, Vol. III, p. 428. 2 Ibid., Vol. IX, p. 587. 3 Ibid., Vol. XXII, p. 87. 4 Ibid., Vol. IX, p. 587. 5 Regulations of the Indian Department, 1884, sec. 172. 6 Ibid., sec. 189. Vol. XVIII, p. 147. 8 Ibid., Vol. IV, p. 736. ment, 1884, secs. 180-183. 7 United States Statutes at Large, 9 Regulations of the Indian Depart would occupy more space than is permitted to this topic. For further information see Regulations of the Indian Department, 1884. A "The chief duty of an agent is to induce his Indians to labor in civilized pursuits." He is also charged with the preservation of order upon the reservation; the removal "from the Indian country of all persons found therein contrary to law; "3 the oversight of employés ; "to protect the rights of the Indians" in the matter of trade; to suppress "the traffic in intoxicating liquors;" to investigate "depredation claims;" to "protect Indians" on their "land in severalty;" the care of all Government property; the care of agency stock; 10 the proper receipt and distribution of all supplies received; " disbursements of money received; 12 the supervision of schools.13 11 8 In addition to the correspondence and other clerical work incident to the conduct of the current business of his office, each agent is required to * Keep a book of itemized expenditures of every kind, with a record of all contracts, together with receipts of money from all sources; the books shall always be open to inspection at the respective agencies entries of every character * remain the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. or safely kept and handed over to his successor; and true transcripts of all shall be forwarded quarterly by each agent to Should any agent knowingly make any fail to keep a he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction before any United States court, not less than $500 nor more than $1,000, and shall be rendered incompetent to hold said office of Indian agent. And he shall also keep a record of * 14 all transactions of whatever character as they occur on each day.15 shall be fined The transcript of this book must be forwarded to the Indian Office immediately upon the expiration of each quarter, without reference to the regular quarterly accounts, and must contain the certificate of the agent that it is a true transcript of the book kept at the agency.1 The agent must render to the Indian Office 16 A weekly-supply report showing quantity of supplies issued to the Indians, etc.17 A monthly report of irregular employés. 19 'Regulations of the Indian Department, 1884; secs. 486-490, 354, 346, 352, 353. United States Statutes at Large, Vol. IV, p. 736. 3 Ibid., p. 730, Vol. XI, p. 80; also Regulations of the Indian Department, 1884, sec. 537. 4 Ibid., sec. 565. 5 Ibid., sec. 526, 575-576. 6 United States Statutes at Large, Vol. IV, p. 564; Vol. XIII, p. 29; Vol. XIX, p. 244; Vol. XXIII, p. 94; also Regulations of the Indian Department, 1884, sec. 491. Ibid., Vol. IV, p. 732; Vol. X, p. 701; also Regulations of the Indian Department, secs. 484, 485. 8 Ibid., Vol. XII, p. 427; also Regulations of 9 Ibid., secs. 334, 387. 7 10 Ibid., secs. 93–102, 738; Vol. XI, p. 169; Indian Department, the Indian Department, 1884, sec. 543. 331, 366-368. 11 United States Statutes at Large, Vol. IV, p. Vol. XVIII, p. 449; Vol. XIX, p. 293; also Regulations of the 1884, secs. 345-350 and secs. 358-365. 12 Ibid., secs. 475-478. 13 Ibid., secs. 506, 507, 511-514, 517. 14 United States Statutes at Large, Vol. XVIII, p. 451. 15 Regulations of the Indian Department, 1884, sec. 326. 16 Ibid., sec. 328. 377; also p. 185. 18 Ibid., secs. 439, 440. 19 Ibid., secs. 234, 235. S. Ex. 95--8 17 Ibid., sec. A monthly statement of the amount of indebtedness for employés.1 Monthly report of the number of acres of land broken and cultivated; of the kind and quantity of crops raised; hay cut; number of feet of logs cut; lumber sawed; bushels of grain ground; number of fence-rails split; rods of fence made; houses built for or by Indians; agency buildings erected; of the work performed by Indians; amount of money received for it, and from whom; and of whatever occurrences have required or will require the attention of the Indian Office." A "monthly report of schools" showing attendance, progress of pupils, statistics of teachers.3 A monthly report of all school issues and expenditures. A quarterly account consisting of An account current of all moneys received, whether from appropriations or miscellaneous sources, and the aggregate of disbursements and all deposits to the credit of the United States.5 Abstract of disbursements.6 Vouchers from all persons to whom money has been paid for any service or article. Transcript of cash.8 A sworn report of employés.9 A property return, accompanied by the proper abstracts, must show all public property of whatever kind or description upon the reservation, and all property received, issued, and remaining in the hands of an officer, including all Government buildings on the reservation, 10 Abstract A, showing all articles purchased by agent." Abstract B, showing all articles received from contractors by consignment, etc. 12 Abstract C, showing all articles received from various sources, including gains in issues; all beef hides; all articles manufactured or produced in any manner at the agency; (all garments, etc., made by school children or employés, and articles made at the shops are included in the above item).13 Abstract D, showing all articles issued to the Indians. This abstract must be accompanied by the issue vouchers containing the name of each Indian and articles or the amount of subsistence issued to him, and his receipt, duly witnessed, for what he receives. The vouchers must be supported by certificates from the interpreter, two disinterested witnesses, and the agent, setting forth that the articles have been distributed to the Indians in the prescribed method.14 Abstract E, showing all subsistence sold to employés, accompanied by the affidavit of the agent and of each employé who purchased any supplies. 15 Abstract F, showing all articles expended at the agency, including stationery, fuel, supplies for the mill, shops, farms, and schools, accompanied by vouchers from the miller, shop employés, farmer, superintendent, principal teacher, or other employé as to the disposition made of each article expended. 16 Medical return, showing all medical property received, expended, and on hand, supported by certificate of the physician.17 Quarterly accounts are required to be made out in triplicate, one copy for the Indian Office, one for the accounting officers of the Treasury, and the third to be preserved in the agency files.18 These reports must be made out and transmitted to the 1 Regulations of the Indian Department, 1884, sec. 266. 2 Ibid., sec. 209. 3 Ibid., secs. 509, 511. 5 Ibid., secs. 284-288. Ibid., sec. 289. 7 Ibid., secs. 290-325. 8 United States Statutes at Large, Vol. XVIII, p. 451; also Regulations of the Indian Department, 1884, secs. 326-328. 9 United States Statutes at Large, Vol. XVIII, p. 449; also Regulations of the Indian Department, 1884, sec. 329. 10 Ibid., secs. 330–334. 12 Ibid., secs. 337–340. Ibid., sec. 512. Regulations of the Indian Department, 1884, secs. 335–336. 13 Ibid., secs. 341-343 and 394-404. 14 United States Statutes at Large, Vol. IV, p. 738; Vol. XI, p. 169; Vol. XVIII, p. 449; Vol. XIX, p. 293; also Regulations of the Indian Department, 1884, secs. 344-347. 15 Ibid., secs. 378-382. 16 Ibid., secs. 383-390. 17 Ibid., secs. 391-392. 18 Ibid., sec. 270. Indian Office within thirty days from the close of the quarter, or legal proceedings may be taken against the sureties of the delinquent officer.1 Descriptive roll of school children ;2 an annual report, including a census of all Indians at each agency, giving the number of males over eighteen years of age, females over fourteen; school children between the ages of six and sixteen years ;3 number of school-houses, number of schools in operation, attendance at each school, names of teachers employed, and salaries paid such teachers.1 To give a history of the work, progress, and events of the year, together with full statistics in regard to land cultivated, produce, stock, buildings erected both by Indians and Government, with other information called for by the Indian Office in regard to missionary work, population, number of Indians wearing citizens' dress, speaking English, and who can read; number of Indian families engaged in agriculture and civilized pursuits; number of male Indians who undertake manual labor; per cent. of Indians who subsist by labor and civilized pursuits, hunting, fishing, root gathering, etc.; issue of Government rations; number of Indian apprentices; number of Indians having allotments; number of houses occupied by Indians, and vital statistics." Agents are required to furnish once during the year, a descriptive statement of Government buildings; annuity pay-rolls. The agent is required to re-enroll the Indians under his charge prior to each distribution of annuities." Agents are directed to forward quarterly to the Indian Office estimates of the funds required to conduct the business of their agencies for the ensuing quarter; 10 and to estimate annually for supplies needed during the fiscal year for office, farm, shop, and school work, for the repair and erection of buildings, and the subsistence supplies necessary for the Indians. 11 The salaries of agents range from $800 to $2,200, as follows: 12 Employés.-Employés except physicians and clerks are nominated annually by the agent, subject to the approval of the Indian Office.13 "Not more than $6,000 shall be paid in one year for salaries of employés at any one agency in addition to that of the agent," teachers, and Indians. "The Secretary may by written order increase the amount, but not to exceed $10,000." 14 When two or more agencies are consolidated the expenditures shall not exceed $15,000,15 Employés will in all cases be expected to perform without additional compensation not only the duties for which they are engaged, but also such other duties as the inRegulations of the Indian Department, 1884, secs. 268, 1 3 United States Statutes at Large, Vol. XXIII, p. 98, sec. 9. 6 269. 2 Ibid., sec. 508. 4 Ibid., Vol. XXIII, p. 91. Ibid., sec. 212. 7 Tables, 5 Regulations of the Indian Department, 1884, sec. 210. Indian Commissioner's Report, annually. 8 Regulations of the Indian Department, 1884, sec. 393. 9 Ibid., secs. 150-151. 10 Ibid., sec. 417. 11 Ibid., sec. 2. 12 Appropriation act of March 3, 1885. 13 Regulations of the Indian Department, 1884, sec. 14 United States Statutes at Large, Vol. XVIII, pp. 449-450. 15 Ibid., Vol. XXII, p. 328; also Regulations of the Indian Department, 1881, sec. 216. 220. |