The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1874-12-11
REPORT OF TINE SECRETARY or
the INTERIOR.


The following are the main points Of the
annual report Of Secretary Delano to the
President:
DEPARTMENT or TuE INTERIOR,
WAsHINorON, Oct 81, 1874.
SiR;--l have the honor TO submit, for your
information and the consideration " Con.
gress, the following summary Of the opera.
tons, during the fiscal year, fthose branches
ofthe public service which are placed by Law
under the supervision OF this Department,
and Tor the details thereof 10 refer 10 the &c.
ccmpanying reports Of the Chief Of Bureaus
and other officers.
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
The operations Of the Indian Bureau dur.
ing the past year are highly gratifying. They
furnish conclusive evidence OF the Justice,
wisdom, and precticability, Of the policy in.
augurated by the present Administration.
The success Of this policy Is no longer a
problem. II steadily pursued we shall soon
see all rowing tribes located on reservations.
The disposition Of the more restless aud
turbulent, 10 leave such reservations on
hunting and marauding excursions, will
rapidly disappear, and the improvement Of
the semi-civili,ed Indians, already 80 ap-
parent in many localities, will be greatly ac-
celebrated. We may reasonably expect oc-
SEASONAL disturbances in the future caused
by individuals, or by disorderly bodies Of
Indians, but with judicious and efficient
execution Of the present mode Of treatment
10 Is not believed that we shall see another
general, or even serious Indian war. In my
last annual report brief but distinct state
ment OF the nature and scope Of the Indian
policy was attempted. | deem II best TO re-
Ter 10 this subject again, in order to avoid
either misrepresentation or misrepresenta-
tion.
INDIAN Foley.
Tta l.l II -. Al.
Indian race aims. TO induce, and, when ne
cessary, TO compel, the roaming tribes to ac-
cept reservations as rapidly as possibly. On
such reservations they are instructed in Z
agriculture and other pursuits incident TO
civilization, and with the aid Of our Chris
tian organizations, their intellectual, moral,
and religious culture Is advanced rs rapidly
as practicable. When tribe refuses 10 ac-
cept q reservation, and continues to violate
the laws Of civilization, IL is treated with all
needful severity, and thus made to appreci-
ate the advantages Of accepting the kind and
humane treatment which the Government
surely extends to such as are disposed to
peace. II those whs have accepted reserva-
tions leave their homes and commit depre-
dations, they, alss, are treated as offenders,
and taught the necessity, rs well as the adj.
vantage TO themselves, Of obedience and
good behavior. BY the judcious exercise Of
power and persuasion, rs thus indicated, it
is the aim Of the Government to deal kindly
and justly with this unfortunate race, and TO
make them appreciate, as speedily as posi-
ble, the real motives and purposes OF the
Government. The execution OF this policy
IL necessarily attended with difficulties which
can not at once be entirely overcome. To
distribute the supplies annually authorized
by Congress among the Indians scattered rs
they are over n vast extent OF territory in
such manner M TO be entirely Just, and most
useful, is very difficult undertaking.
Agents employed TO do this work must sur
render without adequate consideration the
advantages and comforts Of civilized life, and
endure hardships and privations which are
not often appreciated. Nothing but high
sense Of duty Is sufficient to induce men Of
proper capacity and right motives to under
take this task. feel il u duty to repeat
here what have said on this subject in for
mer reports, that the welfare Of this service
would be greatly promoted by increasing the
salaries OF these agents, aud in my judgment,
IL would be a measure of economy, as well
as Of justice, to make such increase i'm
mediately. ] am happy in being able to say
that the earnest, active, and cordial CO.
operation Of the several Christian organiza-
tions, to which the right Of nominating
agents has been assigned, and upon whose
nominations alone such agents are ap-
pointed, is constantly improving this class
some extent, advancing the service by OBJ
tanning agents more experienced and intelli-
gent, and Of greater capacity for their
secular, as well as their moral and religious
work. The Indian population Of the United
States, since the first occupation of our
territory by white men has been compelled
to concede as the white population has adj
vanced. The natural result has been the
creation OF feeling among Indians that they
oh prea tutu sfi M d.
They have strong local attachments, and
adhere with tenacity to the home of their
fathers. They once occupied without dis
pute vast regions Of county which have
been wrested from them. Under no circum-
stances can it he supposed that they will ac-
cept the complete change in their mode Of
life, and in their management by the Gov
eminent which is now being affected, with
out complaint and resistance, which may oc-
casionally require the employment of force,
or can II be supposed that time is not re-
quired for the accomplishment Of such a
change? The complete success Of this pol
icy requires the cordial cooperation of the
War Department, which am happy 10 say
has always been unquallifedly given. Il
also needs the support md sympathy of the
leading officers Of the army, who are neces-
sarily charged occasionally with executing
military orders for tine purpose of compel |
ling, on the part OF the Indians, a compliance |
with the wishes of the Government. / am |
happy to say that such support and SYM
pathy have, as q rule, been freely given.
But this policy can not be carried on success
fully without the favor and support of Con-
gress. The Indian race can not be induced |
to abandon nomadic habits, where subsist.
ence has been procured by hunting, and be
placed upon reservations, unless supported
aud sustained by the Government while
being taught the arts Of civilization, and
habits OF industry sufficiently to be self-sup-
porting. The present policy, therefore, re-
quires, In order to be successful, liberal
appropriations. 1t is impossible to suppress
the emotions produced by hunger and des-
tituiion, and il is not difficult to predict the
effects OF such emotions among either savage
or civilized races. Undoubtedly, il is wiser
aud more humane, just and economical, to
provide for the welfare Of our Indian popu-
lation under the existing policy. than to en-.
counter the consequences Of hostility and
war which the abandonment OF the policy
would render inevitable.
Each year this service presents to those
most familiar with il new subjects, requiring
the favorable consideration aud action OF
the legislative department of the Govern
ment, and TO some Of them, ~ developed by
the experience Of last year, deem it my
duty to invite attention.
HoNEsTEADs ron INDIANS.
To aid in prosecuting the work Of Indian
civilization, recommend the extension of
the homestead laws Ia Indians, with certain
notifications hereafter TO be more fully
stated. These laws at present apply TO cti.
zens OF the United States only, and their pro-
visions can not be enjoyed except by that
small portion of the Indian race who are lie.
gally entitled to the privileges of citizen.
ship.
The DEPARTMENT has freauentIv been |