The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-16

els 50 Proportionaseiy greater ia the Goa, AZ "A
otner goods bought by the Indian Department anc
II IL was located ON the Missouri Kiver ana mere
the same goods were sent by steamer om
OF transportation would ne bn@ s'n.a
fraction OF these rates. similarly, the gnod,
and indian supplies are hauled g. ths AGENCY
lance or about $50 milessat similar rates 81 rrans
portation aud nc great cost 10 the Department. al
OF winch. or large portion, would ~ saved ~ ~
removal OF the agency 20 that river.
The territory country oil boi spo,ied rall's ana
Red Clouds bands extends 10 the Missouri. ana
any objections prompted BY their oan ideas n
convenience IN receiving their cuts 81 ratlons ana
annuitics which these people MAY inisrpose should
not re entertained as az All important.
The question oil furnishing the Northern bands
for their hostile depredaiions AZ any favorable
time Is quite separate rom tnat BOW presented lor
solution In maintaining peace among these people.
THE COMMISSIONERS AND Tilk REMOVAL
Glance at the objections made by tne Peace Com.
agencies OF these two bands 10 the Missouri River.
They assert that there wniskey could not he Kept
from the Indians. This IL purely ianciigi; Tor AZ
the agencies already mentioned on that river but
little or no trouble from that cause y ever expe
rienced. They further assert that toe
two bands viii go there 20 receive
their annuities and ratlons. TINS - slu-
cies, where from 400, 10 1000 SIOUX Indians are
constantly fed ana clothed at each, although ths
centre OF the country OF several bands ~ quite ~
far, u not further removed from the river tnan IA
the centre OF the country Of these two bands. u
hardly need be said that these Indians as Is lndi-
Gated by all manner OF proof. have learned 20 APP
preciate the substantial aid OF the government
IRON their agencies, and there ~ no danger what
ever that they will give up such AID. These Com
mlssioners affirm that tue number or Indians
sorting to the river agencies have, for The past
year, considerably diminished, coming here IN
stead and assign as the cause thereof the pres
ence OF troops at those agencies, though the irntn
Is tina. at none OF those agencies IS there more
than one company OF soldlers-say fifty men. Not
wlthStaDding this assertion. however, az re son
why agencies should not be on the river. these
commissioners have decided to ask OF TIE govern
ment the establishment OF q large post NJ the loot
or the Black Hills about eighty miles norhwcsteriy
from mere, and l4O miles Iom the Missouri River.
in order that they may have there the
agency for Spotted TABS band. they fur
ther declare their intention to ask OF
post near the agency OF Red Clouds band. THIS
Is certainty very inconsistent reasoning yet 1t ID
they state, Tor the writer has II from the Com.
missloners themselves. Tne military occupation
OF the Black Hills would oil itself Involve u war
with half the Sioux nation, Just as the attempted
extension OF the Northern Pacific Railroad beyond
the Missoul has met with determined hostility.
The idea OF these Commissioners Is In
short, agencies In the centre OF the nations
Of the Sioux. sustained by large military
posts, in order that civilized anu moral influences
NAV be brought TO bear closely upon them. rms
Is. doubtless an excellent military measure should
1t by prolonged war; but 1t would De rather a
costly idea INDUCED in the interest OF the cdura
ton, morals and religion alone OF these people,
These may be extended by pacific means, but, per-
haps, do not warrant the shaping OF the Indian
policy OF the country to force them upon any tribe