The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-02-03
WASHINGTON, Jan. 81, lS4S.
The Nsrt Administration-1h War Departments
and Indian Bureaus, &c.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 81, lS4s.
The Nert AdministratiOH-Ih War Departments
and Indian Bureaus, &c.
The question as to who will form the person~A
of the incoming administration Is, nextto the Cali
fornia gold mines. the most absorbing topic In tho
public mind here. On this subject, however, az
we mentioned before, we believe General Taylor
has kept his own counsel, If, indeed, he has como
to any conclusion in the matter, and the wiseacres
are all at fault. There being, therefore, nothing
de finite conjecture given full play, and new can
dldates are lily added to the list. II the general
feeling of the wing party here can be taken as any
guide, we might venture to predict that Mr. Crit
State Department; Abbott Lawrence, Secretary OF
the Treasury I. Butler King, Secretary Of the
Navy; and Caleb Smith, Postmaster Gene;>'
But this is only one phase of the political rumors,
tor each Of the posts we have mentioned above.
Thus far, however, conjecture has not indicated,
with any degree of probability, the new incumbent
of the War Department. This Is becoming one of
the most important branches of the government,
and even now must be Overburthened with the
mass of business consequent upon the recent war
with Mexico The extension OF territory acquired
by the recent treaty with that republic, will, Of
course, add materially to the duties Of that depart
ment, as arrangements must at once be made for
putting the whole coast in proper state of de-
lence and establishing such posts on the boundary,
and through the interior, as may be necessary to
prevent the depredations of the Indians SO far
as we are informed. the business connected with
that branch OF the public service has been executed
to the satisfaction OF the community generally,
with the exception, probably, OF the Indian and
Bounty Land Bureaus. Against the former, many
and bitter complaints have been preferred; but
whether well or ill founded, we are not prepared
to say. Certain it Is, that the business of that Of
flee requires head who combines great energy of
oh IN
larged, phianthroplc view of the condition of tho
Indians. Their present condition is more interest
ing than at any former period since the discovery
of this country. Many of the tribes are emerging
from their wandering habits into civilized state,
and laying aside the manners, customs, and vices
of their fathers, for the arts, Sciences and religion
of the whites. These should be encouraged to per-
severe and complete the works 80 we'll begun, and
every inducement should be held out to the others
to follow their example.
II is matter OF surprise that so little interest
and sympathy have been manifested towards these
people, whilst such redundancy of feeling has
been worse than wasted by many Of the good people
of this country upon worthless objects. No people
have greater claims upon us, and none seem 80
much neglected. Once the masters OF the territory
now owned by us, they wandered in uncontrolled
freedom from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Tho
white man came-pece by piece they acquired the
vices before unknown to tho
the base. of the Rocky Mountains and shores OF tho
Pacific; what return has been made them for their
mighty estatel What efforts have been made to
extend to them the blessings Of civilization and tho
knowledge OF Christianity! What regulations have
been prescribed to shut out from them the bane Of
the fre-water, and the unprlncipled trader! Many
of the treaty stipuauOns, instead OF encouraging
education, &c, have tendency to retard civiliza-
ton, and confirm them IN their wandering habits.
Why should beads, ribbons, red and green cloth,
rifles, tomahawks and scalpng knives be distrl-
buted among these people, unless 1t is determined
TO perpetuate their rowing habits and savage life!
If such measures were necessary, originally, to
perpetuate friendship, surely that necessity must
long since have passed away. For our part, wo
consderthat If just and Christian policy had been
pursued, they would long since have adopted the
These things should be promptly and efficiently
remedied. All questions in regard to the Indian
lands should be finally disposed of. The different
provisions OF the severa! treaties should be 80
connected with each and every tribe could DO
seen and understood at a glance. Whether the
difficulties complained of are in the system, the
laws or the head of the Office, can easily be de-
rected if In the second, application should DO
made to Congress for the remedy; but should it
be ii the head Of the office, 1t is to be hoped Gen.
Taylor will select for that post man who has the
head to arrange the business, a heart to feel tor
these people, and hand ready and willing to do
them justice. Such positions az this should not
be filled by mere politicians; for, however talented
an individual may be, and anxious to remedy
every evil anu COTIeCt every dOusc, III TIC uoeS
know how and where to apply that remedy and
correction, he will gradually fall into the tracks Of
his predecessor, and the evil be perpetuated. Tho
whole system seems to reqsre revision and re. or
ganizaton, not only here, but through the whole
country, and we are much mistaken should such q
revision be thoroughly. honestly, and feaIessly
made, many things were not brought to light but
"iIt,e dreamed OF In our philosophy" The
people at large are interested In such questions,
and that interest should not be sacrificed to CRAFTY
a local and limited Partially. In the distribution
Of the patronage Of the government heretofore, toe
little attention has been paid to this principle, and
hence, IN many cases, the business of the country
has suffered. General Taylor has it in his power
to remedy such evils, and he can de so only by ap-
pointing men to office who, by their peculiar qua
lificatons, can discharge the duty with justice 70
the government and satisfaction to the people. As
we have stated in former letters, we have no idea
that General Taylor will pass over the undoubtsd
claims of the wings to Office; bat we have an
abiding faith that the old Jeflersonian tests ro-
gardlpg officials will be re-established-" is he
honest-is he cspable"-honesty preeminent, ca
pacity Indispensable. b.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 2, 1910.
Another California Observation-Disclosures