Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-11-10
Transfer of the Indian bureau

TRANSFER OF inc lhu1Hh hoAc"ess
1t appears that it is in contemplation
to transfer the Indian Bureau to the
War Department. We have before us
an argument on this subject by Hon. N.
G. Taylor, President Indian Peace Com
mission, and Commissioner of Indian
Affairs, delivered at late meeting of the
Commission at Chicago on g resolution
proposing the transfer. The fewer agen-
cies we have, the less numerous will be
the public servants and pretended ser
wants we shall have to feed. While q
proper division of labor may be advanta-
ceous, it is also certain that such division
should not 20 beyond the necessity of
each case, and to the extent of causing
the par ial labor of supernumeraries and
double expenditure. 10 order to re-
trenchment, sinecures must be dimin-
ished, rather than increased. And there
should be case of strong necessity for
the maintenance Of old, as well as the
creation of new bureaus, or we shall
find more to object to than TO recon-
mend 10 them, increasing as they do the
army of office-holders and salaries. The
reasons given by Mr.. Taylor against tbs
resolution to transfer this bureau, are
first, that its adoption BY Congress
creates necessity for maintaining a
large standing army" But we do not
see how the army need to be increased
by dismissiDg the Pesce Commission,
any more than by supporting it when re-
tanned. Second, be says, eur policy
is peace, and the proposed transfer
is tantamount to perpetual war.
But, if the olive branch goes
with the army, in the hands of
civilian, why is not that just as well as If
the army we're to go forward with the
peace commission behind i'll BE thinks
the Indians are irritsted by the drum
and fife, the sounds of the gun, and
other "infallible signs of opposition and
war" Yet be does not propose to dis
pense with the army, while he would
make the most Of the Indian Bureau,
which, now that the troubles have been
caused by so much injustice, would be
equally inefficient aud contemplate
without it. He objects, third, that dis
eases are spread by the army fourth,
that military management has proved
failure; fifth, that the conduct Of Indian
affairs is incompatible with the nature
and objects of the military and, sixth,
that the transfer will be offensive to the
Indians. frrr.
THERE'S to our mind little force 10 these
arguments. The progress of civilization
and the wave of population rolls on as
an memorable necessity. Right or
wrong, nothing else is to be expected,
and disease, vices and abuses will be 10
the train. Let the government keep
back the trespassss of the frontiers
men and perform its treaty stipulations
with the Indian tribes in good faith, and
all will be we'll. But since officers Of the
army, with the present army itself, are
already sufficient to do both, We see no
good reason why it may not be trusted to
do both, and some expense saved. There
Is no reason Why this should create a
necessity to keep the army indefinitely
in the field" which would be avoided by
keeping the Indian Bureau indefinitely
in the Geld. What has that Bureau &C
comphshed which might not as we'll
have been done without I'D Let the
Government protect the Indian frontier
from white depredalions, and We think
the chances are that nothing would re-
main necessary to keep the peace with
the Indian tribes but 10 furnish the an
nuties and supplies loot FIRST pilfered By
contractors and accompanying thieves),
which By treaty il is bound TO do. Bat
90 long as The agents Of the GoEernneni