The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-30
Action Of the Quarterly Meet
ing at Long Branch.
ADDRESS TO THE CHRISTIAN PUBLIC.
The Government and the Com
mission in Entire Accord.


were here to-day-namely Messrs Fish, Stick
neg, Hoyt, Roberts, Long, Barstow, Kingsley and
Smith. They had session early this morning at
the West End I3el, passed an hour with the
President at his cottage ana were in private con-
terence afterward until this evening" The only
tangible result OF their work IS
THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS.
To the CHRISTIAN PUBLIC
A., Tne Board OF Indian Com missloners In view OF
the present agitation upon Indian anaiIs, feel
moved TO present TINS brief address 10 the Chris
tan communions OF the land, nine OIL whose mis-
EIouary organizations we may regard as our par
ticular constituencies. Speaking from our own
deep ana honest convictions, we ask earelul ana
prayeriul attention to the statements ana appeals
wnlen we here make
Frst-Ihe present policy OF the government
toward the Indians Is eminently humane and
CHRISTIAN, and, being such should Command the
Rld ana support OF all religious bodies ana all Chris
government or the 800, 600 Indians in the land Dy
moral and religious means to civllize and elevate
them by same agencies which are usec by
Christian missions Throughout the world, sup
plemented by sucn aid and succor as
n nGe S1y every memser of this - Board
Dut nearly all the eighty Indian agents who dis
ourse the oountles Of the government 10 the In
dams are appointed on the nomination OF the va
reus missionary societies or religious bodies
which nave missions among them. The co-opera-
ton OF the government with these religious bodies
Is not formal but Is fun, generous and cordial.
Second-Ihis policy, despite the assaults upon
IL, has been eminenty successful. Toe INDIANS
are taking on tue dress. manners, habits and oc-
'cupatons OF civilized life. The enldren are being
educated in our own own tongue, and
industries needful for support and prosper
ity in civilized state. The exceptions
to this rule are manly among three or four large
and powerful bands OF Sioux indians, under aDle
chiefs who occupy wild region in the high alti-
tudes OF the Rocky Mountains. These chiefs de-
sire 40 teachers or preachers, and no instruction
either in books or elyllizng arts; But even among
these wild bands there is marked improvement
and great promise IN the line OF peace, order and
quiet for the future.
gained, Increasing care-is taken by the religious
bodies in the selection Of men TO De nominated
for appointment as agents. some of these larger
agencies require talents in the agent OF higher
class tnan can easily be commanded by the small
seem strange. therefore, If now and then
one should prove incompetent; or, consld-
erlng the lnnrInltles OF our nature ana me
and traders with whom they are brought in con-
tact, now and then one should become corrupt; but
we feel conndent mat IN tEls department. the
government was never. so honestly served IS at
the present time. 1t Is but 1alr TO say mat
there is no hesitation on the part OF the govern
ment to remove agents, on our recommendation,
who are proved to be incompetent or corrupt.
Neither this Board nor the government would be
justified in accepting loud-mouthed accusation
IOr proof OF guilr, especially IN view or the TACT
that most OF the charges OF fraud and Incompe-
tency come rom disappointed contractors and
traders, whose hope OF gains, under tue more
careful etting OF contracts and rigid inspection OF
supplies, is gone. Nor, on the otner hand, would
they be justified in Withholding the most rigid IN
yestigation when, as IN some cases, charges are
Fourih-We are not aware OF the existence OF
any rings in connection with the Indian SER
vice differing at all from the ''ringsn or combna-
tons which seen by all shreWd men in con-
nection win the letting OF all large contracts IN
other public or in private service. Where taere IS
a carcass the vutures Will gather. IL IS the duT
OF this Board to watch, as far as possible TO CIR
cumvent the success OF these combinations, and
thus secure for the government and for the In
dian the largest benefit TO be derived from the
government appropriations The experience OF
the past we trust, mas been ADVANTAGEOUS, and
while the admins tration OF TINS year Ia respect
TO purchasing, inspecting and forwarding annuity
goods mas been as careful possible. we are re-
solved upon careful a disbursement, through
the agents, as can be had through our own per-
sona oversight and sucn helps as the law pro-
woes.
II is due to the government to say that In this
matter we are not hndered, but aided IN every
way allowed By the law.
FVth-From the foregoing statements It will be
seen tnat the success OF tnis humane policy de-
ponds largely upon the sagacity and wisdom of
the Missionary Boards IN toe selection OF men
wnom they nominate for the positions OF agents.
Men OF capacity in every day affairs, as wei as
men OF good character are required for this
work-men whose every day influence Is IN itself
elevating and civilizng-men VINO nave some ca
pacitY for leadership and conscience enough to
constrain them ever IN rlgnt direction Again.
there is required on the part OF all good
men comprehension OF the difficulties
of this wOrk-a fair amount OF patience
disposition 10 wait for proof OF corruption before
they withdraw confidence from those VINO have
clamor is raised and pl omoted by bad men and is
AIMED at this humane policy with desire 10 de-
lb,
TO the extermInaGon OF the Indians.
We cannot, therefore, close THIS address with
out asking earnest attention 10 the fact shat lor
several years the Indian service, as a whole and
In detail, has been and sun IS virtually WITHIN
the supervision and control OF the religious bodies
OF the country, and upon them and the Christian
community Will rest, o a large extent. the ultI-
mate success or failure OF the policy OF humanity
and justice our dealings win ths remnants Of
this once powerful race.
CLINTON Il. FISK,
JOHN ID. LANG,
g. RUSH ROBERTS, Board
h. A. HA1I, OF
r.. NJ. KINGSLEY, Indian
VIM. SrICKNEI, Commissioners
A. c. BARSTOM,
f. II. SMITH,
Early this morning the Board assembled, and,
after private session. rode to The Presidents
cottage, through the rain. in an omnibus. There
the President met them. In accordance with the
arrangement made yesterday, their meeting was
in secret, and the following facts concerning IL
are furnished by members or the Board. The
President was unusually loquacious and earnest
10 the expression Of approval Of the peace peiicy
Ia dealing with the Indians.
THE DELANo-sNITH ACCUSATIONS
were only once alluded TO, and then not expli
city.
"The truth and the whole truth shall be ascer-
tanned about these charges" he said, "and gwen
10 the public" He did not Intimate and the Com
missloners did not ask anything regarding the re-
moval Of Delano The difnculty OF preventing
small swIndllng In the purchase and delivery o.
goods to the Indians was discussed, and General
Fisk, acting as spokesman, explained the devices
tnat had been arranged for circumVenting the
swnders.
the gradual removal OF all the Indians in the
eountry.to the indian Territory, south OF Kansas,
was discussed, and measures adopted looking TO
the carrying out OF the plan.
The President was earnest in pledging the full
power OF the Executive in reforming any branch
OF the service and pledged his hearty cooperation
with the Board. with whom ne Is in entire accord.
Tue meeting was over at noon and TIE Commits
sioners returned TO the hotel, and at once went
into secret conference again.
THEIR WORK,
IL is understood, was the preparation OF the ad-
dress ABOVE given and 1t was not signed until
after six O'Clock.