, 1873-05-05

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THE ADMINISTRATIONS INDIAN POLICY.
We havo the assurance of A1r. Felix F. Brunot,
the Chairman of the Board Of Indian Commits
eionors, that President Grant will certainly nd
hero to tho "poaco policy toward tho Indians
which haa beon developed Us ono Of tho dis
tingnishing features Of his Administration, hIr.
Drunot is probably correct. When President
Grant starts out with "policy," ho ia apt to
hing on to It, entirely regardloas Of itB effects.
This has boon equally truo in the San Domingo
affair and tho Louisiana difficulty. In tho former
caso, ho adhered to tho scheme OF annexation,
though palpab1y contrary to tho popular will,
until ho WIS dofoated 1t every point. In tile
latter case, ho has abidod by bis resolution to
has been charaotorized AZ unparalleled for It's
infamy by tho worry mon to whom Gen. Grant
looks for his main support, and will probably
mnintain tho same policy In the face Of riot md
bloodshed until Congress reverBeB tho errors.
Mr. Drunot Ia Of tho opinion that thoro will be
another exhibition Of this sort OF Executive firm
moss In tho general treatmont OF tho Indians On
tho aame plan AZ heretofore.
Mr.. Brunot iB thoroughly en- rapport NTH tho
porsocutod rod men OF tho West, and loud and
bittor in his denunciation Of tho "ruflnnB" and
"desperadoes who are perseouting them and
arousing thoir savage passions. hfr. Brunot
processes to speak for himself and the Presidonts
but not for tho other members Of tho Board Of
Indian Commissioners. It Ia probable, however,
that Mesars George q. Stuart, William e. Dodge,
and John Y. Farwel will abide by Mr. Drunots
expressions. Theso gentlemen hhvo just had 4
prolonged session in New York City, In which it
Ia likely that tho whole subject was can
vasBed with the official conclusion uhio1,
hlr. Bruuot haa thus unoflcially pro-
claimed. It will appear to most people,
however aa striking comment upon the
"poaco policy" that tho Board OF Indian Com
miasonors was In aoasion, distributing ita profit.
able contracts for Indian supplies, at tho yer,
timo that tho latest Modoo slaughter occurred
in which about fifty American officers and aol
diors woro maimod and killed.
There aro worry many weak pofnta In hlr
Drnnot's dofenso Of the "poaco policy" oven l.
It 10 conceded that tho purposes Of tho gentle
men who adhore to It aro entirely honest. hlr
Brunot insists that It ia not the Indiana who ar
to blame tor the outbreaks and massacrcs o
which wo have periodical record, but iii
rougha, tho "transportorB, contractors, teamatora
whisky-tradors, scouts, and army-tollowers,
who dosiro to leal the Indiana into war thnt tho
may enjoy the profits arising therefron. LII
Drunok fails to montion tho Indian Agonts Il
this category OF tue natural enemies c
J tho Indian raco. Admitting, hoNoVo'
that this broad, general statement
correct, It Ia pertinent to ask, Who IL reBponabl
for tho tolerance OF such olaas Of mon "a III
t Drunot doscribea7 Tho Administration md til
t Commissioners hsve tho control Of tho who
b matter; they have ali the funds they ash; the
D appoint their own agents they parcel out Il
0 reservations they mako the contracts for tt
' supples they run tho entiro machine. II tho
l. policy attracts and tolorates a class Of mon VT
9 tpoite the worst passions Of tho savages at
drive thom into war, then either tho policy itso
: or those who administer 1t arc rosponsiblo +
4 theso abuses. Mr.. DEunot and Ills sellow-Cor
2 mlssloners may decide which It la.
y Mr. Drunot statos that, out Of 100000 India
l. (which Is bis estimate Of tho number Of 1ndla1
j. iu tho country, 10000 aro aclf~aupportiu
.- which means that they 1.-Two On tho proceeds fro
y tue sale Of their lands and tho interest on tht
10 money. AL tho rest arc supported in part or
% whole by tho Government. Mr. Brunot thin
n that " these figures show the folly and wioko
10 neas of holding tho 1ndian race responsible
tho acts Of fen individuals or OF aalugle tribe
X They 1athor show that when the unitsd Btat
10 Government takes contract for supporting
In tho Indiana in the country, 1t haa right to 1
Ut mand that tho Indians shall control their tin
Is yiduats and single tribes," SO AZ to prevent t
J. frequent recurrence Of tlQ maaaaqres