The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1854-05-15

agent build one for him. il he wants to have few
acres plowed and fenced-and we all know the Indi.
ans cannot do these things for thcmselves-put in
the pow or of the agent to pursue that policy. This
is the only way in which it be done and hope,
for the sake Of the Indians, that this clause will not
be stricken OUT for at this very day the Indians are
starving to death in that country Tor want OF provs-
ions, and it is the only thing that can save them 1t
can be modified, however, so As to make IT more ac
&c pablc.
1 will say few words in reply to the gentleman
from IA. l must conf IS that l feel deep interest
in this bill; profound than have Tor any other
measure before this body. know the whole OF the
people for whom it is designed ] have spent years
among Them ! have hunted, fed, and starved, al
most, with them.
| He speaks of traders. Traders traders Indian
| traders Their have been hauled from one
end of the cOuntr, to the oher in Congress and out
of it. Now, the proposition under consideration pro-
vidcs remedy for the gentlenans objections. Under
the existing treaties, the Indians paid annually
and semi-aun'r.'y. II an Indian wants favor, no
matter of what kind, he is compelled to so to his ira
der. The trader, indeed, is now the only man who
afford him relief He affords it to him. it is true,
with expectation Of large profit. Then, the proper
should be to pass bill, to throw the Indians
on the Government. Under this b if IN Indian
wants ayor, to whom is he TO g! lie will not go
! to his trader No; he is independent Of him. He
will 60 to the age.t. lie will g to the man who has
been there provide for his wa,;o. lie will go
|
dians. lie will go to the man whose only aim, it is
pre- suned, is the mp of the condition of the
Indians. The bill takes the Indians completely out
OF the influence Of the traders.
| Let me i've illustration TO the gentleman from
Indiana. Here is an Indian who has heretofore lived
in wigwam, and now takes it into his head that he
would like to side in house. beautiful piece of
ground is selected, and the Government gives him title
To eighty acres. He wants a house built, few
acres Of ground pIowed and fenced, that he may he
| for IurIn he
winter. This bill leaves it within the power of the
agent build the house, break and fence the land,
and to furnish the Indian with seeds and inn cmentS
of agriculture.
/ The gentleman is mistaken in another Of his OBJ
jcctons. Contracts by existing Indian regulations
stand thus: If the Indians desire to have them
changed, the agents compelled to submit the pro-
posed chang to the department. II the dcra. tment
al proves them they sent back to the agents, and
they advertise throughout the country that they want
So many buildings of such and such dimensions built,
so many broken and fenced; and if you will
look at the records Of the Indian Department., you
will find that improvements have been made by agents
under this system cheaper than citizens would have
been enabled to make them.
The object Of the bill is to take the influence from
the trader, and to throw it into the hands of the
Government, where it belongs. 1t provides for the
Indian according to his necessities. 1t gives dis
erection to the President, his agents, to change the
articles to be furnished IS the lndirns progress
ward civilization. We advertisements in the
newspapers for $500 900 or $500 600 worth of ,ods
Merchants Of New York and Philadelphia send in
their bids and SAMPLES and, after examination by the
| D. partment, contracts are made. You sent to the
Indians of Florida the goods that you send to
the Indians Of The far MOTH They aye useless to
one Of them, and rerhaps to both.
But the proposed system allows the Indians, when
ever they assemble, To say to their agent next
years annu'tcs will amount to $! i;"ch; we want so
many cattle, much expended in breaking land so
much in baildng h buses, and much in buying az
riculuraI implements; the 81 ccicaton is thea to be
sent he,c, and, under that specification. the contracts
! are be made.
After The discussion above the Bill was report
ed to the House from the Committee Of the VIII ,lc
ana it was supposed would pass without alteration.