National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-10-19
MORNING,

proclaimed by those high In authority that our
cheaper to feed them than night them, We can
perceive how readily the Indian might fan into
such q construction OF our conduct. In recent
conversation on the plains Gen. Crook remarked
to a member Of the commission that II was human
ity to the Indian to make to him such a display
Of force as would cause S MN e - fear the power 81
prompt obedience to the orders Of Government
which is burdened with HIS support in his transit
tion state from barbarism TO civilization. Few men
better understand the Indian character than this
distinguished military officer, and none have had
greater success in dealing with them and adyanc-
lieve we speak the opinion OF the people Of this
country who taxed to the extent Of over $s 00o
900 year for the Indian service, when we say II is
determined policy in regard to that population; a
policy which will not only more clearly define their
rights, but more rigdly enforce their proper reia-
The question whether it would be expedient to
transfer the management of Indian affairs to the
War Department was suggested to our attention
tion Of the subject such reflection and inquiry as
our opportunities allowed. Without entering at
length upon discussion of the subject 1t may be
sufficient to say, in general that our conclusions
are wholly unfavorable to such change at the
present time. There can be no question that the
change would involve serious Interruption of the
present policy of the Government If not an entire
abandonment of IL; and whatever doubts any may
possibly entertain of the complete ultimate sue
cess of this policy, IL would be extremely unwise
to abandon, without the fullest trial, system OF
dealing which has thus far produced excellent re-
suits, and which promises at least to pave the way
litical condition of the Indians.
There IL, however, one branch Of the Indian
business in which we believe the services Of army
officers might be wisely and adyantageously en-
ployed, viz: The inspection of goods andsupplies.
We have already recommended that officers be
Of tbs IndIs me oI a r 10
those already mentioned in that connection we
recommend that all Inspections of Indian goods
Except annuity goods, the inspection of which is
provided for by treaty. and supples.at the points
ofpurehase and shipment, at terminal points Of
railroad transportation and at the agencies before
the articles pass into the hands Of the agents, be
under the exclusive charge of the commissary
general of the army. We believe that such
system .n would not merely serve as
and agents, but would be Of great use
in satisfying the public mind that the
1t would seem that a copy Of the reports Of all
such Inspections should be transmitted through
the proper channels to the Indian Office.
The fact that it has at times been found useful
and even necessary to employl friendly Indians
as kind Of police about the Red Cloud agency,
and the good accounts we received Of their EN-;
cheney and fidelity when 50 employed, suggested
to our incidental consideration the question
whether 1t might not be possible to enroll them In
force for the protection Of the agencies and the
enforcement Of authority over wilder tribes. 1t
is, Of course, question how far such system
would prove practicable; but II It could be en-
ployed It offers some manifest advantages besides
relieving some portion of the regular army. It
would train q certain number of Indians to habits
Of discipline and obedience to authority, as we'll as
of loyalty to the Government. This body would
furnish rallying point to the wellatected por~
ton Of the tribe, and menace Of punishment to
the hostile or unruly. The number that could be
induced to enlist would probably be small at first
and they should be young, unmarried men, who
bont , Rs tSe ne !eaST 70 move
of sufficient Importance to recommend its refer
ence to board Of army officers to consider and re-
port upon.
- CONGRATULATIONS.
In conclusion, we respectfully present the fol-
lowing summary of Recommendations, the most of
which have already been discussed in their proper
j. That Agent Savillc be removed.
2. That ]. w. l. Slayens, Of Kansas City, Mis-
contracts under any Department of the Govern
3. That E. R. Threlkeld, of the same place, be
excluded from all further employment as in
:. That no bids for supplies be hereafter.re-
ceived from ]. H. Martin.
s. That ID. ]. Mccain be excluded from future
contracts with the Government.
Q. That the papers relating to the account pre-
property, stores, &C., of the Red Cloud Agency
from the old to the new location, be referred to
the Department of Justice for examination and
action.
I. That the distance from Cheyenne and,from
Sidney to the Red Cloud and Spotted Tail Agen-
cies be accurately ascertained by measurement,
s. That a new and careful enumeration of the
Sioux around the Red Cloud and Spotted Tail
Agencies be made, and that the agents be re-
guired TO make an enumeration of the Northern
Indians as they may come in for supplies, and to
keep a record Of ali issues made to them.
e9c LhHt ciGS or nG9F and other produce be re-
stead of New York,
10 That bids for wagon transportation from the
railroads to the agencies be also received at suit
able points in the West.
II. That the Office of superintendent of Indian
agencies be abolished, and the duties connected
Herewith be transferred to inspectors.
II. That the feasibility of dispensing with the
services Of freight contractor between Eastern
cities and terminal points of railroad transporta-
tiOn in the West be considered.
Is. That in accordance with the provisions of
the treaty of 1868 army officers be detailed to in
spect all issues Of annuity goods and that all in
spections of Indian supplies and beef be made
under the direction of the Commissary General of
the army.
H. That carefully devised system of accounts,
uniform for all agencies, be established with the
mode of issuing and accounting for all articles
definitely prescribed.
Is. That the agencies, differing greatly as they
do in the amount of intelligence and capacity re
quired to conduct them, be so graded as to estab-
fish for the most important ones salaries sufficient
to secure the services Of thoroughly trained and
competent men.
is. That the Red Cloud and Spotted Tail
agencies (which are now of the Sioux reservatiOn)
be removed to some suitable point nearer the
Missouri river
II. That commission of army officers be ap-
pointed to consider the practicability of organ
izing an Indian soldiery for police and similar
duty.
Is The establishment Of United States Ter
ritOrial government over the Indian Territory.
10. That suitable persons possessed of the neces-
sary legal qualifications be appointed to prosecute
for all wrongs Iagainst Indians, and to defend
their rights and interests, far as they may be-
the subject of adjudication before the courts.
20. That all future Legislation for the Indians
and all dealing with them be based upon the
policy of bringing them as rapidly as possible
under the same law which governs all other in
habitants of the United States.
q. The consideration of such additional legisla-
tiOn as will develop and apply the general system
Of dealing with the Indians suggested under the
previous head of General Observations"
THos. O. FLETCHER,
BENZ. w. HARRIS,
CHAs. ]. FAULKNER
GEORGE w. ATHERToS.
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