The New York herald., 1875-01-18
THE INDIANS.
Sixth Annual Report Of the Board Of
Indian Commissioners.
WISDOM OF THE POLICY SET FORTH
Proposals for an Indian Ter
ritorial Government.
influence Of the Christian
Ministry.


Ministry.
YAs Beard OF indian Commissioners have SUBJ
1tted TO the Secretary of the Interior their sixth
annual report. The following extracts from this
report give the moro significant portion OF It's con-
tents:-The Commissioners state tnat the history
N the Indian service during the past year has
been marked by more than usual trials and dim
pulties in Its conduct, and by more than usual
success in the progress which has been made by
she various tribes OF Indians toward higher
civilization and the ultimate completion OF the
peaceful policy insugurated.
GENERAL POLICY.
A period in the conuuct and history OF the In
aian service OF the country has been reached
when, in the Judgment OF the Board. the govern
nent may safely look forward to the fnsl aetermi-
nation OF its relations with the Indian tribes as
separate people. Experience mas demonstrated
the wisdom OF the policy, steadily pursued since
che commencement Of the present administration.
Of collecting the wild Indian tribes upon reserva-
lions, limited in extent. The rapid settlement OF
she territory occupied by them as bunting grounds
rendered the adoption OF such policy necessary
both for the protection OF white settlers against
depredatons and TO bring the Indians under the
influence and control OF the agents for the pur-
pose OF civilization. Isolation from the demoraiz-
Ing influence OF the class OF white persons always
found upon border settlements has been consd-
cred condition requisite to the early improve
ment OF the savage tribes until certain period OF
Advancement shall have been reached; the history
Of the world however, demonstrates the fact that
no community can ever reach an advanced stage
Of civilization without recognition Of the right Of
individual properly, and 1t is believed that when
sver any tribe OF Indians has reached such stage
Of Advancement in intelligence and good conduct
~ will enable the various members to
transact their own business and participate In
she snairs OF the community with which they are
surrounded, the policy OF the government should
be to encourage sucn persons to renounce their
tribal relations and to establish Individual homes
for themselves and become invested with all the
privileges OF citizenship that this process should
continue from year to year, stimulated by every
lnoucemenr the government can properly orer,
untu the entire Indian race shall become merged
IN the community at large and further interven-
tlou by the government their special care shall
become unnecessary.
The report hereto appended Of q visit to the In
dian reservations in the state OF New York justl.
hes the recommendation that measures should at
once be taken for the enIrancnisement OF
the Indians located upon reservations in
that State. The permanent annuItles provided by
treaty stipulation would anord ample means for
tbe endowment OF such educational and benevo-
lent institutions as, upon consultation with
tion Of their tribal relations ana the division in
eeveralty OF lands and other property held In COM
mon would become necessary IN the execution OF
such plan, and, with the exercise OF reasonable
wisdom IN the negotiation, could be satisfactorily
A large proportion OF the Indians west of the
CASCADE and Sierra Nevada mountains, on the
Pacific coast, are now quietly engaged IN various
in sections OF country OF considerable ex-
tent, are more depended on as lsborers by
farmers, lumbermen. wool growers and others
thAn any other class OF persons.
No apprehension Of further hostility by any In
dians IN this section OF the country exists. and 1t
Is believed that early period. VIII bout injus-
tice to the Indians and with entire safety to the
the government may cease to make further pro-
vision lor their support. The same facts are true
to a greater or less extent In respect to the In
dams under the care OF the government in Mlcnl.
gan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Nevada.
WILL THE INDIAN WORK.
A provision IN the Legislation OF Congress at its
last session requires that Ia distributing supplies
TO the Indians Tor whom the same are appropriated,
she agent shall require all aole-bodied male In
disns TO perform service upon the reservation,
giving. however. to the secretary OF the Interior
quirement any particular tribe when ia his judg.
ment proper and expedient.
The question OF labor, involving that of self-sup-
port by the indians, was considered by the Board
rs OF sufficent importance to justify full investl-
CATION as to what extent 1t mas been practicable to
comply with This requirement OF law, aud in the
same connection to OBTAIN an expression OF opin-
ion from those best qualified 10 form intelligent
Judgment as to wnat measures are best calculated
to solve the difficult question. Inquiries on this
subject were therefore directed to all the agents,
and o others In the Indian country whose expe.
rience would render their opinions OF value.
Responses IRON large number OF persons have
been received containing much valuable IN orma-
tion. Ii appears that probably not tnan Is, 900
Indians, oil the wilder tribes, are supported ny the
government appropriations without any substan-
tlal contribution on their part toward their own
Sustenance IL is undoubtedly true tnat up 10 this
time, IN the alternative OF ieeding or
been an economical one; but It's continu-
ance lor any considerable period In the
Juture. Will prove as disastrous 10 the Indians
costly to the government. The effect OF being well
fed without the necessity or incentive or any
PEARS Is apparent In the conulton OF large por-
lion OF tue sioux nation in a marked increase of
dyspepsia and otner diseases OF the digestive or
gans, anu decrease OF physical energy.
The efforts OF agents TO induce the Indians or the
wild tribes to engage IN pursuits OF industry have
not. AS a ruiz, been successful partially from the
Hereditary prejudice against labor as unmany and
degrading, and in part from the tact tnat he soil
IN the country they occupy cannot De cultivated
TO any profitable extent except with irrigation.
The requirements OF labor on the part Of
ihese tribes, without the provision Of ia:
continue, necessarily, barren oil results
The government Is therefore remitted
cothe these people until, fIom disease and ener-
vatlon, tney snail become extinct, or OF providing
for them the means OF remunerative labor.
The latter may be secured IN their present loca-
tons by authorizing irrIgating works on large
scale, which may be constructed by Indian LABOR
- remuneration lor subsistence iurnIsned; or
the indians may be required 10 engage In the
raising ana care OF cattle aud sneep Tor whlcn
their country Is well adapted, and Tor which their
previous habits present less insurmountabe OBJ
stacle; or by he two plans combined In any
event, vigorous enforcement OF whatever policy
may be determined on, with an increased present
expenditure by the government TO provide the
necessary means. Will BE- requisite TO any success
iul experiment.
The necessity for prompt and energetic action
20 ACCOMPLISH the OBJECT sought IS so pressing
tnat any reasonable expenditure and any proper
measures ior enforcing habits OF industry on the
part OF the wild indians, promising success are
Iustihablc The accomplishment OF TINS purpose
will relieve the difficulty OF greatest magnitude
remaining IN the solution Of the lnGian problem.
, Consultation with very MANY who mad
large experience In the nanaRemcnt OF indians
leads to the belief that any pollcf IN this regard
determined on by the government may be en-
forced without the necessity OF resort TO military
Interference.
COOPERATION OF RELIGIOUS BODIES.
The co-operatlon OF the religious bodies with the
government In the civilization OF the Indians has
proved an element. the Importance OF winch even
the missionary boards have not July appreciated
The pagan Indian resists with all the energy and
peea n an nlf