Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-11-20

their progress in civilization seems to keep
peace with the breaking down of their pagan
notions. They have furnished the subjects
upon which the main labor of the year has
been bestowed by the agents and by their
labor its ranks have been largely recruited
from those hitherto wild and intra ctable. For
this class of Indians the beginnings of civil
government, large increase Of school facil-
tiles, lands in severalty, and generous assis-
lance in furnishing teachers of trades and
agriculture, together with farming imple-
ments, seeds and stock are needed.
The third class, composed Of Indians who,
without violence to the term, may be called
civilized, is most numerous. All OF them
have been greatly assisted in attaining to this
condition by the direct and long continued
religious teachings and influences of mission
aries. They need some form of civil govern
meDt and the Inauguration OF process
through which they may cease to be Indians
by becoming American citizens.
OF the roamers-numbering about IA, 600
little can be said except that they are general
ly harmless as Migrants and
| vagabonds can be in a civilized country.
They are found in all stages of degradation
produced by RIGHTEOUSNESS, intemperance.
idleness, and poverty, without land, unwilling
to leave their hands for a homestead upon a
reservation and scarcely in any way related
to or recognized by the Government, they
drag out miserable life. Themselves
corrupted and the source of cor
ruption, they seem to serve by their contin-
ued existence but single useful purpose
that of affording living illustration of the
tendency and effect of barbarism allowed to
expend itself incurred.
The commissioner recommends that such
legislation be requested as will secure: First,
suitable government of Indians
!. BY providing that the criminal laws of the
United States shall be in force upon Inainn reser-
vatons, and shall apply to all oienses, including
ofenses of Indians against Indians, and extending
the Jurisdiction Of the United states Courts to en-
force the same.
2. BY declaring Indians amenable TO the police.
laws Of the State Territory for any act committed
outside a reservation.
8. BY comforting upon the President authority, at
his discretion, to extend the jurisdiction of the
State Courts or any portion of them to any reser-
walton whenever, in his judgment, any tribe is pre-
pared for such control.
A. By providing sufficient force of deputy mar
shals TO enforce law and order, both among and in
behalf of Indians.
g. By giving authority to the Secretary of the In
terror to prescribe for all tribes prepared in his
judgment, to adopt the same, an elective govern
ment through which shall be administered all nee
essary police re- yaatdSa;s o. reseryssiom
number sufficient to justify it.
Secondly: Legislation for the encouragement OF
individual. Improvement.
l. BY providing way into citizenship for such
O. BY providing for holding lands in severalty by
allotment for occupation and for patents, with an
ultimate fee, but inalienable for a term of years
8. BY providing that wherever per capita distri.
button provided by treaty has proved Injurious or
the same may, in the discretion of the President,
be made only in return for labor of some sort.