Pioche daily record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1872-1876, 1875-12-07
THE INDIAN REPORT.

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fer OF the Indian Bureau TO the War
Department, but recommends that the
purchase, inspection and transportation
Of goods and supplies for subsistence be
done by the Government. A little fur
ther on he makes note. in the highest
terms, of the aid afforded by the differ
ent religious bodies Of the country, and
earnestly hopes that Congress will
remove the difficulties which have here
tofore been experienced in procuring the
: enactment of laws aud the necessary
appropriations for the training and
education of Indians. None but the
best men should be appointed agents,
and lie expresses the hope that the
Government will still be inclined to call
on the religious bodies of the country to
name the men. 1t Is possible that
Commissioner Smith has, in this been
actuated by the highest motives of
patriotic philanthrophy but yet it GER
tainly does not look that way, but rather
as if he were in collision with the min
compoops who are at present running
that branch OF the Governmental service.
1t is to be regretted that Grant and
Congress have been Of different opinion
in relation to this Indian service and
still moro so that Grant was not per-
mitted to put his plan into execution
for in this he certainly was right. He
tried hard to have the duty of feeding
and managing the Indians delegated to
regular army officers-men who are
always in contact with and who thorough.
ly understand the Indian-but Congress
thwarted his commendable efforts by
passing a bill turning every military
officer ont of the U. S. service who would
be found with an Indian Agency. The
Indian business is badly managed, needs
a Department of its own,
distinct in details and subor-
dinate only to the Government, il this
cannot be attained the next best thing is
to turn it over to the War Department.
Blu! Commissioner Smith is willing tina,
they should do the purchasing, inspec-
ton and transportation of Indian goods
and let the " religious people have the
sutler department of the affair, let them
run the agencies where tho fat takes
abound. If this is not the case it Ger
tainly looks that way. After perusal o.
the Commissioner report it may b.
asked why is it such difficult matter Il
, get those Indian subsidies properly dis
tributed. The reason is simple one
With the exception OF the Indian De
partment all the other governmental dis
bursements are made to civilized peopl
!, with business understandings and VIII
know when they are cheated or justl.
dealt with. All this the Indian is def
:, cient in. Three-fourths of the time h
;. doesn't know whether he is cheated o
- not. and even with the knowledge of for
!, play he is helpless. For this reason tn
4 disbursing OF Indian supplies should b
!, given to men who are disciplined, sur
posedy moral, and with the incentive {
promotion 10 augment official zeal. Th
Indian service needs business men at il
head and throughout its ranks, not mi,
II sionaries. In his report Commissions
i. Smith expresses the hope THAT til
Al Government will be still inclined 10 ca
n on the religious bodies OF the country
" name the men, II Commissioner Smit
Al is right, great field OF industry
ID opened up for the different religious con
In munities in this country. II they a
q needed to manage Indian affairs and al
ae the only class Of society that can success
g. fully grapple with those affairs attenda
OF difficulties we need them in every depar
ne ment OF public service. We need hol
On men in the internal revenue offices, plot
a missionaries in the Custom House, ar
b. the odor of sanctity shou
es likewise be diffused througho
~ the Treasury and Naval Department
u. This may be the thing We long ha'
va sought, and mourned because We fouu
n it not II the Indian needs protectic
is. that nothing but the church can give,
IL. might be we'll to hand the whole Cover
TO- ment over to the church. The who
* civil service needs reforming, the whit,
%. are nearly as bad off a. the reds. and Il
ger unfortunate taxpayers of Washingt'
,ut or New York are in as unfortunate a pl
ey dicament as Sitting Bull or Red Clou
he But we are inclined to the opinion I'll
t." the worthy Commissioner is labori
he under great mistake. He evident
,w- starts on the proposition that all chur
8 members are clean of heart, pure of pr
vas pose, and possessed OF business abili
md Granting the first two qualities,it will
ate, found in ninety nine cases out Of hi
ete dred the last one is wanting. Far be
Of from us to decry or attempt to ridic'
it religion. but the fact of protest.
on religion does not imply an abiding ia
his in Divine precept or literal following
ted daily practice of the same. There
G thousands of good. pure men and won
rect with o Jealous desire to promote Go
ion glory, with q fervent faith and da
ents delight in communing With their Great
build who are actuated by the purest and s
con- cerest motives, and who serve as b
ould con to many and are an honor to th
part race, but such people are rarely posses
that OF the business tact requisite in deal
AZ In with 10, aud those who at the same Ii
Ne profess religion and fitness for ira
to acting such secular business must ne,
The sarily-especially in the light of rec
ngs, events-be viewed with certain del
work of distrust. Commissioner Smith VIC