The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1867-11-02
THE INDIAN COMMISSION.

J.. F. Kinney, Special Indian Commits
foner. has returned to Washington and
made an elaborate report to the Secre-
,ary Of the Interior, dated October 2,
1861. After giving a history of the In
dan situation, in general, nearer, repre-
qnting the true state of affairs than any
in favor Of the progressive development
Of the great west and the obligation of
the government to protect its pioneers,
be offers n series of recommendations,
combining in them one proposition not
likely to meet the approval of the Secre-
tafy He believes, first, that the only
s5lution of the great Indian question is
in the reservation policy. He recon-
uends the creation of five Indian dis
licts, with three resident sub-commis
dOners, having judicial authority to de-
tsrmine all complaints between Indians,
agents and superintendents. These to
be under the control of an established
Indian Bureau. Upon them all peacea-
bly, disposed Indians must go at once.
The transfer of the control of all those
who do not accept location on reserya-
tons is to be made 70 the War Depart
uentand then a decisive campaign to be
made Immediately against those who are
hostile, and an agreement to go upon the
reservations be the only basis of a treaty.
To those who accept the reservations he
recommends kindness, the supply of ma
terials for industrial pursuits, and in
struCtors in Christianity, husbandry and
tade, with the privilege of citizenship
when sufficiently civilized. This policy
is theoretically humane and unobjection-
able. Practically, we have no faith in
it. The easier solution is the best. Let
The Indians take care of themselves If
they are peaeeable, let them come and
gowhere they may. II they make war
upon the whites, subdue them as you
would any hostile people and make no
treaties. They are productive of more
Injury than good, and there is no neces-
atty for them. These fine spun ques-
tons about Indian titles never help the
Indians a great deal. Mr.. Kinney strong
y objects TO the recommendation of Gen.
Snborn that the Bozeman route be
abandoned. He says:
80 The abandonment of the road necessarily
Includes the withdrawal of the troops from
Reno, Phil. Kearney and G. f. Smith. IF the
toad is given up, il Is to satisfy the imperious
demands of hostile Indians. Added TO this
isnsnd is that for the withdrawal of the sol
a'n from the country. Ny hrSt objection Is
hat in treating with hostile Indians, they
asTsr should be permitted 70 dictate terms of
Isacs The road avoids the crossing of the
u0untains which has TO be done twice in go
Hg 20 Virginia City via the Salt Lake route,
Ed Is four hundred miles nearer. In addi-
Con 70 this advantage, the route Is preferra-
ae-lfording better grass and water, and
E, sI,' abundant fuel than the old route via
While the Powder river country is dear TO
Hsu, il is also inviting to the white man.
tbSr EruXing country is nowhere to be found.
he cOlor of gold is obtained In all Its streams
I'd the formation Of Its rock bound noun
eins presents to the experienced eye of the
inner unmistakable evidence of rich mineral
s,posits."
de claims that the Sioux do not own
'ee country about which they are now
attending, and is decidedly friendly to
aeCrows, advocating treaty with them
% secure their cooperation in the mill
l'y movement against the Sioux. He
GspOses of the Sioux claims to the Pow
VET river country in this wise:
The country from the mouth of the Pow
~ - iiyer up the stream TO its source, along
,bleek Hills and the Wind river mountains;
!. ~ = the headwaters Of the Yellowstone, down
@emouth OK Twenty-Five Yard creek; across
~ the headWateTs of the Muscleshell river
= N 70 lts mouth, and from the beadwaters
&c mouth of Dry creek, belongs TO the
81 ooy virtue Of q treaty made at Ft. Lara
~ Vetober IL, 1851. This region includes