Pioche daily record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1872-1876, 1874-07-14
INDIAN AFFAIRS.

We republish from the Virginia Enter
prise letter addressed to that journal
by Senators Jones and Stewart. The
latter announces that two Government
Inspectors have been detailed to visit
Nevada and report upon the condition
of the Indians living within this
State, aud the proper means to insure
their well being. The letter also eneloses
the instructions issued to the Inspectors
by the department. As it is most prob.
able that the Inspectors will visit this
county, those of our citizens who are in
terested in the proposed reservation on
the Muddy, or in Indian affairs general
ly, will do well to arrange such inforua-
ton as they shall be able to impart in
brief ineligible form. The letters we
have referred to as follows:
WASHINGTON, June %, 1874.
EDITOR OF The ENTERPRISE Enclosed |
hnd copy of instructions to Messrs.
| O'Connor and Vandever, Indian Inspec-
tors, who are about to visit Nevada.
The management Of Indian affairs in
Nevada has long been unsatisfactory to
US, and, as you know, to most Of our
citizens. We have received large num-
Der Of letters, affidavits, petitions and
memorials rejecting on the system
adopted as applicable to our State, but
more particularly upon the management
by agents under that system. We have
laid the subject before the Interior De-
| and uastad tborpnub ayap,.
ination of all matters pertaining to Indian
affairs in the State. The Secretary Of
the Interior, in view Of all the facts, has
ordered two of the Indian Inspectors to
visit Nevada and make a full report, as
will appear from the inclosed letter of
instructions.
The object of this communication is to
call the attention of the people TO the
fact that this investigation is to be made
in order that they may have an oppor-
tunity to furnish such information as
they may possess, and freely communist
cate their views to the Commissioners.
We believe that the persons appointed to
this duty are honorable and competent
men, who will make such report as the
case itself demands.
We have represented to the depart.
| uSht tuht tuC situhtlOu VI tut III
Nevada is different in many respects
from that of the wild tribes on the prai-
ries of the West; that the Indians them
selves are more inclined to peaceable and
industrious habits than most other tribes
with which the Government is required
to deal.
The fact that agricultural land in Ne
vada is of very limited extent, and for
| tla, - 4.
by streams and springs of water, pre-
cludes the possibility of having large
reservations unless whole sections of
country are to be given up exclusively to
Indians. This is the case in the south
eastern portion of the State, where an
immense area, bounded as follows:
Beginning at point in the middle Of
the main channel Of the Colorado river
of the West, eight miles east of the Hath
| degree of west longitude; thence due
, north to the 37th degree of north latitude
thence west with said parallel to point
twenty miles west of 1l5th degree of
west longitude; thence due south 81
miles; thence due east 36 miles; thence
due south to the middle of the main
= channel west of the Colorado river of the
4 West; thence up the middle of the main
d channel of said river to the place of be-
ginning
-, Has been set apart as reservation. II
b this is absolutely necessary for the pro
j. lection of the Indians, whatever may be
:, its effects upon the settlement of the
country, the people must submit but il
other arrangements can he made equally
3 beneficial to the Indians it is certainly
e desirable that this vast tract of country
b shall remain open to the miner and the
,. settler.
;, From what we know OF the Indians il
u Nevada we are inclined to believe tina,
they do not desire to be congregated on
large reservations, but that they prefe,
to remain near their old homes in smal
communities. We also believe that thi,
desire on the part of the Indians can b,
i accommodated with advantage to them
| and without detriment to the interests O,
our people. If few farms of moderat,
~ extent can be maintained in differen,
N portions of the State where indians cal
at all times find employment and be pro.
D. tected to the fullest extent in the enjoy
;. ment of the fruits of their labor the,
- would become civilized much more rap
10 idly than by tie large reservation sys
r TEN.
n The Indians should be treated lik,
:, men, paid for their labor, and be at lib
al erty to use their wages in such name,
j, as they may desire. If any OF them viii
IN cultivate land, they should have it Sc
Ia apart to them, and should receive all the
encouragement possible from the Gov
&c eminent and our citizens.
ut 1t is also extremely desirable that some
H. scheme should be devised whereby theil
"A children may receive the benefits of edu
cation. We know this is difficult prob
III lem; but our people understand the stu
alton and we have no doubt will be abb,
Ia to suggest some means that will b, eff
n fective in securing the attendance Of In
dian children at the schools establisbe,
at for their benefit.
O. As the report of these gentlemen will
pc probably guide the policy of the Govern
No ment for many years to come, it is of tn
% first importance that the people of Neya
da cooperate in this investigation. 81
ed that cheap, honest and humane systeu
m may be adopted for the advancement o
civilization Of the Indians.
WILLIAM STEwART.
81 JOHN P. JONES.