The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1874-12-03
NATIONAL AFFAIRS.
The Interior Department.

DAoooooAoN of The INDIAN QUESTION-HE
RECOMMENDS THAT THE HOMESTEAD LAWS
BE EXTENDED TO INDIANs-CoNDITIoN OF
THE PACIFIC RAILROADS.&C. PUBLIC Do
MAIN-HoW THE WASTE OF TIMBER LANDS
MAY BE LEssENED.
Inc annual report of the Secretary of the
Interior to the President is a voluminous doc
ument, and We have room for only brief
synopsis of it. The most interesting portion
is that relating to the Indian problem, to the
discussion of which large portion of the re-
port is devoted Mr.. Delano says the opera
lions OF the Indian Bureau during the past
year are highly gratifying, and furnish g con-
elusive evidence of the justice, wisdom and
practiDllty OF the policy inaugurated by the
present administration 1ha Secretary
recommends that the salaries of Indian
Agents be increased mmediately, with a.
view Oh securing mon of proper capacity and
right motives to undertake the work of civ
llzinS and ChrlstianizlIg the savages. He
says
am happy in being able to say that the
earnest, active and cordial cooperation Of
several Christian o: CARNATIONS, to which the
rlgnt OF nominating agents has been assigned,
and upon whose nominations alone such
agents are appointed, is constantly improving
This class OF employees, and thus we are each
year, to some extent, advancing the service
by obtaining agents more experienced and in
telllgent, and of greater capacity for their
secular, as well as their moral aud religious
work.
10 aid In prosecuting the work of Indian
civilization, the Secretary recommends the
extension of the Homestead laws to Indians
with certain notifications and restrictions
He says:
These laws at present apply to citizens of
cd to+o IL
cannot be employed except by that small por-
ton of the Indian race who are legally en-
Titled to the privileges of citizenship.
common ownership of property is the
nominal condition of the Indian race and
With 1t are found nomadic habits totally in
consistent with the idea of permanent habita-
tons, individual ownership and domestic in
dustry. The work of civilization can never
be completed until these habits are aban-
doned. Every proper inducement ought
therefore, to be offered the Indian which will
prompt him to individual ownership of prop
erty, and such habits of industry and economy
as are lncldentto our civilization.
" Our Homestead laws require residence
and cultivation for five years before the ap-
plcant becomes entitled to patent for his
land. These five years afford considerable
guarantee, that no one will apply to make
homestead entries unless he possesses the
qualities essential to citizenship.
=" Should it be suggested that the extension
OF this privilege to Indians would furnish in
ducements to spectators to use them in &C
quirlng titles to our public lands, L would
reply that this danger can be prevented by
providing that the patent to be issued shall
contain clause rendering the title inalienable,
except by consent of the President This would
insure ample security against the abuse of
this privilege, as we'll as necessary protec-
ton against lmprovident sales WithouC ade-
quate consideration.
AN extension to the Indians of the benefits
of the Homestead laws, will greatly facilitate
the work of their civilization. 1t will rapidly
break up tribal organizations and Indian COM
munltles; 1t will bring Indians into subsection
OF our laws, civil aHd criminal it will induce
them to abandon rowing habits and teach
them the benefits of industry and individual
ownership, and thus prove highly advanta-
geous III promoting their prosperity.
The condition OF the Indian population is
anomalous and their relation to the general
government underlined. This is the result of
necessity, but the time has arrived when, in
the progress of events, it should be remedled.
1t may not be possible, at present, to devise
system of laws which shall perfectly define
the relations between Indians and the gov
eminent. or that will cure all the defects
now existing for want of legislation, but it
is possible to remedy many existing evils
and thus facilitate the work we ave under
taken,
x
1.-THE work of civilization will be greatly
accelerated by enactments which shall define
as far as possible the relations between this
race and the government; which shall fur
nlsh authority for enforcing the orders and
acquisitions of agents; which shall be suffi-
clent to punish Indians for crimes against each
other, and against people tohere0e1 committed,
and which shall also infict adequate punish
mont upon white people who trespass upon
territory belonging to Indians, or commit
crimes against them.
So The time has arrived when some general
laws regulating Indian citizenship is, in nv
Judgment indispensable. Occasionally.
treaty stipulations with Indian tribes are ex-
pnlng, among whom is found greater or less
degree of civilization. This compels the de-
partment to determine the status of such In
dams IN regare to citizenship. There are also
many who desire to separate from their
TRIBES adopt the habits and customs of civil
lied Hfe and become citizens"
The Secretary refers to the Black Hills re-
connoissance, and the reports regarding the
discovery of precious metals in that region.
Upon this subject he says
- The military reconnaissance of the Black
Hills country was regarded by the Indians
as a violation of their treaty, and produced a
turbulent feeling among them. It's objects,
however, were peacefully accomplished. Ex-
travagant statements concerning the mineral
wealth of the country created great excite
ment among the people, and exploring parties
were organized for the purpose of prospect
ing the country. Subsequent information
establishes thefact that no evidence of valu-
able mineral deposits was furnished, and that
the lands in that region are undesirable for
CULTIVATION and settlement by white men.
Notwithstanding this, organized parties have
attempted to explore it, and have been at
tackled and repulsed by the Indians. It is ap-
pretended that efforts will be made to induce
legislation for the extinguishment of the In
dian title to the Black Hills country aud to
bring the land into market. 1t is hoped that
such efforts will be without success, because
OF the general unftness of the cou TRY for
settlement, and because any attempt to dis
possess the Indians at present of region of
country upon which they located for security
against the encroachments of the white man
would meet with violent and determined re-
sistance."