Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-12-13
INDIAN AFFAIRS.


status of the Indians in various parts OF the
United States contains many interesting par
ticulars, well and briefly stated, concerning
the Indian policy of the Government and the
administration of peace commissioners, which
is regarded as perfectly satisfactory. and as
having resulted benefcally, both to the Gov
eminent and to the Indians. The former has
received practical good through the working
of the Quaker commissioners and the honest
expenditure of the appropriations at their
command as well in a reduction of the bureau
expenses, as by "a careful supervision of the an
nuity goods, ect., TO be disposed OF to the
Indians, The report claims most economl-
cal expenditure of the appropriations and the
adoption of a IA system which will enable the
bureau to transact its business under much
less estimate during this fiscal year than was
called for in the last report The decrease in
the present estimate is little over one mill
lion dollars. The missionary operations of
the excellent Quaker agents are highly eulo-
gzed, as having tended to render the tribes
much more amenable to the requirements of
the government and the dictates of civilization
than formerly. The principal feature in the
advancement in the various tribes Is the con-
sideration by them of the establishment
of mission schools and education. The
Commissioner has reason to believe that, with
the constant endeavors of the Quaker Off
Gals, backed by the support they have from
the Government, the system of Indian affairs
is rapidly being reduced to an excellent stand
ard, and that the preceptS of civilization and
Christianity will work wonderful change in
their characters the present quiet aspect there
is reason to hope will continue, and that the
stories of raids and ravages which have been
so frequent CT late years will have no repeti-
ton. Interesting documents from the Indian
officers accompany the report of the Commits
sioner. The usual statistics of different tribes
are given, and full information upon all sub
jects relative to the present Indian policy is
submitted by the authors of the reports ac
companying that of the Commissioner.
A great majority of the tribes are at peace
with the whites and themselves. The only
organizations that have caused trouble during
the past year are the Blackfeet in Montana,
the Sioux in Wyoming, the Utes and Apaches
in Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico In
response to the repeated demands of the peo-
nle of Montana, who asked but were necessa-
rily refused permission to punish the Blackfeet
depredators, Col. Baker attacked camp of
the tribe, principally Pegans, in January, and
although every effort was made to protect non
combatants, Of the III persons killed some
thing like l20 were women and children,
and of the captives afterward released l40
were women and children. Although the con-
sequences are to be deplored, the blow
efiectual, and the tribe has been solicitous
since then to enter into amicabie relations with
the United States government. Small pox,
which prevailed at the same time afflicted
also other tribes along the Missouri river, but
the efforts of the government toward the vac
cinaton of the tribes must almost entirely
move the plague in future. The Big Horn
expedition the government forbade, in order
to avoid the collision it would provoke, and,
fortunately, Red Cloud, who would have been
most mschievous in organizing hostile move
ments, sought and obtained permission to visit
Washington, and an improved feeling was the
result. The Utes of Colorado and New Mex
leo are dissatisfied with the treaty of 1868, and
refuse to go to the reservation in Colorado,
even to receive their presents. They insist
on being treated with at their homes in New
Mexico, and the Commissioner recommends
compliance with their demands. Unless their
wants are supplied starvation will drive them
to excuses. In the Indian Territory the
Kiowas and Comanches have been guilty of
serious crimes, and the severest military
measures should be enforced upon them until
they learn to respect the rights of the settlers.
The removal of the Osages from Kansas to
the Indian Territory will probably be accom-
plished without trouble. The Pottawatamies
and Winnebagoes do not care to rejoin their
brethren in Nebraska and the Indian Terri
toIy, Dut are CultNailp the iaflu Ill tnelT pres
ent settlement in Wisconsin. Too much i'm
portance cannot be attached to the council set
| fot the 9TH of December in the Creek country.
Its results must influence not only the con-
| duct of the tribes in the Indian Territory but
will be felt throughout the entire West The
! The Apaches of Arizona are the most intract.
! able OF all. The Roman Catholic clergy are
the emily persons to whom they will listen, and
! the Committee recommends measures that will
| give these clergymen more opportunity for
| controlling the savages. The Indians of the
! Pima and Maricopa reservations should have
| their lands permanently secured to them. In
| Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Kansas
tribal organizations have been abandoned and
agriculture and citizenship assumed. The
Presidents plan of maintaining honesty and
/ triendliness with all the tribes has been pro-
ductive of the best results. The appointments
| OF agents from among the varions religious
denominations has worked well, and the poll
| cy is obviously wise and humane. The prac-
tice adopted by Congress of giving lands to
railroads must interfere with Indian reserva-
tons, and steps should be taken to keep
intact the faith of the government with the