National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-01-14
THE INDIAN COMMISSION.
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BOARD.
THE FUTURE OF THE RED MAN
ABLE ARGUMENTS IN his FAVOR
REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENT AGENCIES.
The Pillow and the Bible as Means OF
CiVilization-Grand Reunion Of
Ministers OF the GOspel-Presi.
dent Grants Indian
Policy Indorsed.

Ministers OF the GOepel-Pr0st.
dent Grants Indian
Policy IndOrsed.
The annual meeting Of the Board Of Indian
Commissioners was held yesterday at the rooms
Of the board, over the Second National Bank;
General q. B. Fisk, Of st. Louis in the chair, and
FIJI Smith, Of Washington, secretary. Present,
]. D. Lang, of Maine; b. Rush Roberts, Of Mary
land; Z. A. Hoyt, Of New York; General @. G..
Hammond, Of Chicago, and VIM. Stickney, Of
Washington.
The secretary stated that he had returned o
communication relative to the application of re-
Igious denominations for the privilege Of estab-
fishing schools at the Indian agencies. The re-
quest was not granted on the ground that such
permission would be in violation of the treaties
with Indians, which specify that no white men
other than those in the employ Of the Indian
Bureau shall reside on the reservations. He
also stated that the action Of the board at q
former meeting, recommending the removal Of
the SSn s5DGaHs S1 me Sscrsary N Of tSs n
terror, and letter sent by him to Congress recon-
mending an appropriation for that purpose.
A general conversation ensued, after which Mr..
Stickney suggested that the representatives of
the different tribes of Indians now in Washington
be invited to an audience with the board previous
to the consideration Of the annual report. Agreed
The board then went into executive session;
dll6T Which, al auJOAnAueuS was Lnh4o
p. m.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The board met at the Arlington hotel, room No.
$50. There were present, in ad Stion to the men,
terrain Board Of Missions: Dr. Nicholson, secretary
executive committee Orthodox Friends; John Par
IRISH, Of Philadelphia; q. Beae, chief clerk Of the
tory; DR.. Alex. Thompson, OF the Dutch Reformed
Missionary Board; DR.. Wilbur, agent, Of va
Reed' NJ TapSsH and ReT H. Rsnd anie' LII
DR.. Thompson invoked Divine blessing.
The CHAIR said it had been about six years
since the President has called into the affairs of
the Indian bureau the religious element. They
have rendered service deserving the gratitude of
all men: The present board has been in exist
but little, and any suggestions that may be given
the board will be gladly received: He then called
upon the representatives Of the different denomI
nations for their reports.
PRRsBYTERIANs.
DR.. Lowrie said his Church had missions among
the Indians, and efforts have been made to iRtrO-
duce teachers in the tribes, but little encourage
which his Church has missions. The expenses OF
the tribes are betrayed by his Church and in part
by the Government. He announced that he wonld
make an extended report in the evening.
DUTCH REFORMED.
DR.. Thompson said the range Of efforts OF his
Church was not large. The interest of his part of
the Church is real, and the general tone Of the
reports from the centres is encouraging. In
between the agents and the military power; the
agents think the military. unnecessary beyond q
police force. The presence OF the military is not
sanctIfying. Those who are readable are de-
sirOus Of education. His Church was DESTROYS of
doing all in their power toward the Indian for
his good.
HICKsITE FRIENDS.
Mr.. Janney reported that there were IN charge
Of the Friends six agencies in Nebraska, and the
reports were most encouraging and the Indians are
inclined to industry. Industrial, boarding, mis-
have been estabiished. The WInna6agoes nre-
sent striking examples Of what can be done in
ChristiaDiZing Indians-at first they were dis
orderly and now they have become obedient; they
raise crops and take the same to the market for
sale. The three day schools have an average Of
10 pupils; There are also TWO sabbath schools
they have during the past year cultivated ], 800
acres Of land; they have three day schools In the
tribe numbering 95l.
The PaWnees have an Industrial boarding and
two day schools; the women have been taught
domestic dutes total In this tribe 1,7SS These In
become discouraged and large number went to
the Indian Territory and others will follow.
Those left behind are the aged and inhrm, who
will be removed as soon as comfort can be ar
ranged for them.
The Otoes and MIssourians are doing exceed
ingly well; schools have been established, and
they dress in citizens costume; they number 463.
The Great Nemaha agency embraces two small
tribes on adjoining reservations: The lowas num-
Der 226 the Sscs and Foxes Of Missouri number
81. They are all improving.
The area Of land cultivated by the Indians in
sG during ring the year has been Largely in
ton. The expenses have been about y, 900 to the
society, the most being paid for eliot hing and for
the school children suitable food and the pay Of
salaries.
ORTHODOX FRIENDS.
DR.. Nicholson made Q most favorable report
from the Modoc country. He stated that they
were building houses, educating their children,
and have made satisfactory progress during the
year. He thought It was apractical example how
to ctvilize the saVages by moving them away from
bad men. He favored Individual ownership OF
land, but not to men who did not know how to
Mr. Janney said the Santees, wInnebagoes and
Omahas have had their land so placed In their
hands that white man cannot take 1t away from
them. The Winnebagoes are an open-hearted
d. Nicholson claimed that ali the difficulties
with the Indians in this section was caused BY
tIespass by white men on their reservations in
violation of the treaties filling the Indians with
whisky, and stealing from them. The Indians
took matters in their own hands for the purpose
OF cleaning out:these men. These Indians habits
of life are adapted to living by the chase. So
long as they are rowing Indians they will be bad.
He favored eoloniEing them, like the Modocs
have been, so their children and themselves may
be reached by the influence Of Christianity. He
believed the loyal Indians would be willing to 60
anywhere when prisoners Of war were taken. In
regard to the outbreak at the Wichita agency,
he said large number Of discharged Indians
gathered around this agency for the purpose Of
a chief when the soldiers fired on the Indians and
the firing became general from the Indians.
Mr.. Earle said the bright side Of this was en-
eOursging. There are in this agency bad children
learning the English language. The Usage In
dians are doing good duty in agricultural pur-
suits: The military have been great trouble
in this agency, thus injurinR the influence of the
Quaker.
Mr. Lang said one of the great difficulties in
own. They are often Iccated in the vicinity OF
| their enemies; they are fond Of civil war, and
they will never do anything SO long as these con-
IL fu nOff IN ha aEaa int
serious consideration. Civilized Indians must be
moved from wild Indians.
THE METHoDIsTs.
| Dr. Wilbur has been on the Pacific coast since
June, 1s47; he has become we'll acquainted with
the Indians on the coast. He was removed from
| the agency at one time because he said prayers.
| He made full report, and his successor was dis
missed and the Doctor was restored to his POSI-
tiOn. In 1854 he was solicited to take charge Of
| the agency, which he did. There are about $500
Indians at this agency about 1900 reside on the
/ reside on the reservation have made good i'm
proyements during the ten years. During the
/ have about 1000 head Of cattle, 900 head Of
| horses, 200 houses so barns, good churches and
500 members Of church; 200 couples have been
mill, blacksmith shops, &C.; there are also board
/ ing and day. schools, and about 300 have been
taught to read and write during the past ten
i years. They have also a form OF government
| Abort six yearsago they enacted laws forbiddlng
one Indian from stealing anOther's wife or horse,
1 the DelDR oub htLlo
/ liquor is consumed by these Indians.
The,agent has the right TO seize all liquor com
/ ing on the reservation. The steam-mill erected
| did not cost the Government dime and is capa-
| bic Of making 10000 feet Of lumber in one day.
| The population has increased about 500. There
| have been two Indians who graduated as minis
| tiers Of the Gospel. When he was appointed to
this post he went to work to civlliIe the Indians,
| who were then o set Of gamblers. He carried
| them into the woods, and soon houses were built;
| blowing followed, and soon after o school farm
| was started, and since that time everything has
| been going on nicely. During the past ten years
he had paid the Indians between 50 900 and 81 900
| for work done. His doctrine with the Indians has
been the pillow and the Bible. The United States
| Government appropriates 200 for the main
tainance of schools at this agency. Those Of the
Indians who have been converted do everything
to bring their brothers into the fold. DIR. Wilbur
spoke Of the Warm Spring agency in glowing
| terms. About seYenty-tiye Of the Indians have
professed religion. The Clamor Indians are
also improving. The Salets have been doing
well; they have made marked improvement. He
thought the Warm Spring Indians could be bet
ter dealt with II they were united with his agency.
| He encountered at times some dlf1culty from
liquor, but It was quickly repealed. He had
never experienced any necessity Of fears.
DR.. Reed said at places where there are no