New-York tribune., 1869-06-25
THE INDIANS.
TIE POLICY OF THE ADMINISTRATION.
IFRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENCE


lFRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENCE
WASHINGTON, ID. c., June 1O.-The nomina
ton of Gen. Eli s. Parker Commissioner of Indian
Affairs was rightly regarded as indicating era in
the apparently intermnabe Indian question II was the
first time In the history OF Government that the In
dians themselves had been recognized There Will be
found various clauses buried in old treaties and discus
sons by which It proposed TO give to the wealthy
and civilized tribes aggregated In the Indian Territory
west Of Arkansas delegate in Congress But nothing
ever came OF the idea. IL has been, and still Is,
favorte among the leading minds in the Cherokee
Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Seminole nations,
and was made seryceabe by Alfred Pike when as Con-
ederate Commissioner he succeeded In seduclng those
nations in whole or part TO Join the Rebellion Any
sons freQuentng the department OF the Interior can SEQ
daily about the Indian Office Of middle age, very
lame with face but slightly tlnged in color though
with strong Indian features and giving one the impress
sion OF marked intellectual power. This is Elias Boudi.
not Of the leader Of tho anti Ross party among
the Cherokees man OF fine education, and lawer by
profession. lie for any an exile residing at
Fort Smith, Ark was Secretary of the Secession COnven-
ton OF that state and aerward delegate for the Indian
nations In the Confederate Congress believe this Is the
only case prior TO Cen Parkes nomination, OF an Indian
being recognized by any portion OF the AngoAmerican
people, in political or ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Gen Parker may usually be found in the rooms devoted
10 his Bureau in the and northeast wing Of the Pa
|
are well adapted FOR business purposes Ia response to
remark made by some passing ono OF the Commis-
soners rooms the mosseuRcr nt tho door said Nes he
keeps them going In and ont Ike corn through hopper
the General sees people half day than Col Ihy.
ior used to do In two that's genuine compliment,
and as It was unpremedtaed deseryes mentioning Inc
and that marked tendency cOrpuency which seems
=" he cbaracterI,iic OF hls race whc settled 10 civilized
life and habits His color ~ rich browuishred the iea-
urcs disnctyey Of the Indian type though not TOO
prominently so hair dark. close. and the bear u
| mos Of being
mustachc His head IS large both long and broad fore
G%a e% % ons S' aRS S IN aS
gentleman 20 meet IL you have business win him. you
| will find him good listener ana quick 10 decide.
He entered on his duties In the midst OF transition
ana Senate agreeing anything but an eyasive com
promise, Indian affairs were In IA more than commonly
The House several by decided action indicated
10 which, Is natural the Senate cngs with teuaclty
The House ln several debates and votes indicated its
desire 20 transfer the Indian Bureau from tbs Interior
tbe War Department The President was known favor
THIS Tho senate defeated the project Much interest
the opponents Of the transfer Cen Parkes nomination
was regarded uniayoraby. In tie meanwhile the fresi
dent having practical ogedgo OF the subject acquired
through his former army experiences listened with favor
TO the suggestions and appeals Of the Quakers and Others
plans for fair dealing 20 him. In the Inaugural no
announced his intention 70 attempt the solution OF tho
question. by looking forward 20 tho ultimate iucorpora'
ton OF the Indians In the great body Of American ctIon
ship. Some eighteen Quakers, seleeted by their denom
nation were nominated. but The old Indian Influences
potent hitherto I'm the Senate strong enough TO
Tbree results were obtaied before Congress adjourned
One was authorizing the appointment Of commission Of
citizens known as men OF character &C.
pay, an advisory ana inspection board Ihlh ldea
emanated from the Senate and had laudable object
TO be opened Co hem and Congress having provided
their expenses they were further To inspect AS they
might detoTnlnethe various
and tribes and make suggestions as the civilization.
etc. OF the Indians, &c. This commission marked
anaton of mofe than IS c0o could nnd no other way
than determination to deal with less than 10000 Indians
loved IN a better and honorable method 10 find i
out through the Commission thus framed.
The second result seen IN the blow aimed by the
House the peruciOus treaty system The lato Peace
Commission made a number OF treaties which provided
iRe amount OF 100000 The appropriations thus
made would have been renewed rccog.
milton OF the treaty system Tho House re.
lected them After long struggle IL placed
the required t2OOOO In the hands OF the Executive
OF certain Indian trbes Tho result the nomination
and confirmation OF Gen. Parker Indian COMMISSIONER
Indians by the fact Of their chief bcne Of their
II offered In that recognition the promise of
These things being Indicated II s worth while to ask
what has already been accomplished Gen Parker went
into his Bureau with all the old aud suspicious officials
about blm, here and elsewhere.
months and out OF the anarchy has evoked order Three
omakers been assned 10 fields i'm which theT nlans
purposes may have fair opportunity. But they only
numbered nine Agents aud two superintendents. The
be had on nominations. Very little hope now
entertained OF any special results from thu
Quaker policy. IL WAS resolved, on Cen Par
kers suggestion 10 take advantage Of provision
In the law organizing the Indian Bureau and detail mill
tary officers 10 the various tribes agents. Quite
large number were owing 20 Tegmental consultations
waiting orders They have been assigned, and
co now on their way 10 designated posts or await
ing Instructions. The policy received at first cOnsdera
bic adverse criticism, but It's good effects already begin
tO be visible. IL promises 10 break up the old rlngs
completely. Tho Quaker policy was not regarded with
Oncthr Of the dlslyOr that this is by the old hangers
about the Indian Bureau Most OF these detailed officers
young who entered the army 10 make 10 life
pursuit nnd Ind Themselves n danger OF losing this
utmost % retain thoir assignments with the hope OF
a speedy return 10 the line OF the army vacancies
occur. They under direct executive control, be
removed at once, IL either ncOmpetency dishonesty
they misconduct themselves II tho Commission mp.
pointed by the President perform ylganty tho duty OF
Inspection they assume among other things 10 at
bo seen that these assignments give greater Opp0r
tnnity for good administration than the old system.
Tho other pOlDt Is found In the various documents
which have recently been made public These pro.
pared by Gen. Parker under the direction Of aud after d
cuse0u with the President and Secretary OF the Interior
Tie fret the letter Of the Commissioner 20 the Com
mission after met and organized here That ettor
generally published. In 10 Commissioner Parker suggest
ed various topics for considerations such the
military and civil authority should begin and end IN In
dian attee whether the treaty system ought TO be
hnued or not. and what should be substituted therefor.
The letter. In fact touched upon all the vital points, and
gave confidence 20 those who had been Watching Gen.
Parkors with interest showing as u did, that ho
thoroughly understood the work before him.
The document consists OF the instructions given 10
the various agents. whether civilian detailed. IL
shows saRaoOus and kindly spirit, and indicates tho
Administrations determination to deal fairly and
promptly.
Another one is the Executive order bearing date juno