The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1868-11-27
REPORT OF INDIAN COMMISSIONER
So TAYLOR.

= y 81
The report of Commissioner Taylor,
of the Indian Bureau, for the fiscal
year, has been laid before the Secretary
of The Inteion
He says the number of Indians now
within the boundaries of the United
States, exclusive of those in Alaska, is
about 100000 He regrets that they
are decreasing so rapidly from year to
year, aud attributes it, as well as the
misery and depreciation prevailing
among them, mainly to intestine wars,
the entailment of the loathsome diseas-
es of vicious whites, and effects of in
diligence in spirituous liquors. He
thinks that large proportion of our
Indian tribes show q strong disposition
TO emerge from their; savage state, and
throw aside their barbarous customs
but Improvement Is slew, and theil.
civilization must be the work Of. time,
patiently and hopefully prosecuted,
with liberality on the part of the Gov
eminent, and faithful and prompt full
f1llment of all its obligations and prom
Uses. This work should enlist the sy M
pathy of all lovers of humanity, and in
vite to its practical demonstration the
divine spirit of charity to much great
er extent than is now shown.
He says peace has been maintained
with most OF the tribes during the past
year, and friendship has marked their
course toward our Government and cit
liens, while they have faithfully endeav-
ored to support themselves. This is
said more especially Of those settled on
reservations. With others, there have,
however. been such various difficulties
that it may be said we have had an In
dian war on our hands. He holds that
the Cheyennes and Apaches clearly vic.
lated their treaty promises made nearly
a year ago to the commission sent to
treat with them. 1t is difficult to &C.
count for their bad behavior on any 9TH
er ground than their love of pfunder
and revenge, under a feeling of dissatis-
faction, caused, it is presumed, by the
non-delivery Of guns and ammunition
promised them by the commissioners,
but withheld because the Cheyennes
had not kept the peace. He thinks the
kiOwas and Comanches will be drawn
into the war, and fears that the friendly
portion of the tribes will suffer with the
guilty. If the hostile portion will not
cease their outrages, he says they should
be punished severely, and their claims
on the Government should be declared
forfeited, by Congress.
He alludes to the difficulties in Arr
iona and New Mexico, and says they
will continue till the Indians are put
and kept on a reservation.
He cOngratulates himself on the close
of the Indian troubles in Idaho and Da-
kota; alludes to the labors of the peace
commissioners, of which General Sher-
man was head, and has no doubt they
will be productive of wide beneficial
results.
He details the work of the year in
making and ratifying treaties with a
large number of tribes, and shows thai
most Of them have been carried out in
full effect. t
He strongly urges that wise, liberal
treaties be made with the Indians IN
New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and
Washington Territories, looking TO their
concentration on reservations, and tC
the payment, on our part. for the rights
of which they have been despoiIed.
He speaks of the recent session of the
commission at Chicago, and says he dis
scented from the views of his colleagues
as to the expediency of transferring thu
Indian Bureau to the War Department
and will communicate his reasons fol
such dissent in a separate report.
He regrets that Congress did not a
its last session make better provision
for the subsistence of destitute Indians
anu says tnere has DOen fuuCH SUFFERING
in consequence, as well as some blood
shed, and large expenditures of none!
in suppressing hostilities. He says it i
better to feed the Indians than figh
(! them, and thinks there would have beer
but little trouble on the plains this sum
mer had they been properly supplied
in accordance with treaty stipulatiOns
! He adds that the responsibility in thi
regard is with Congress, not with tn
Department.
He says claims to the amount of abou
100000 have been presented for depre
dations committed by Indians in tn
war of 1863, and he recommends the ap
pOintment of a commission for thei
settlement.
He also recommends that Legislation
be had to protect the people of Texa
against raids from Mexico.
He renews, and strongly urges, hi
recommendation for change in tn
laws regulating trade and intercOurs
with the Indians, and closes by askin
such legislation as will, at the prope
time, bring the Indians of Alaska with
in the supervision of the Government
/ ~ 0-----
A. o-obonnro eoys fhat GIfhara Sr