New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-10-04
REQUIRING INDIANS TO WORK.

LETTER TO BISHOP wHIPPIE BY COMMISSIONER
SMITH IN DEFENSE OF THE sYsTEM-rHE TRANS
FORMATION OF INDIAN MANNERS 1T EFFECTS.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 3.-The Commissioner of
Indian Affairs has written a letter Bishop Whippe in
reply TO an inquiry from the Bishop in regard the
necessity Of Indians performing labor a condition
precedent receiving their annucs. The last Indian
Appropriation bill makes that requirement The Com.
missioner quotes the section OF the law bearing this
point. and then says:
Judgment IL j. i'm the direction of the best inter
ests of the Indians "a well AS of the Government Prob
ably yesxths OF all annuities OF supplies and goods
nually bestowed upon Indians gratuity 10 them,
now assumed by the towards Indians il that
OF guardian For four years the legislation OF congress
more fully each year simply as wards OF this nation
whom we are bound in right and humanity to
rapdiy as possible for their place among the citizens of
the Republic This being the acknowledged frat duty OF
the Government, il will follow. think that the expend
tlre which the Government makes for these Indians
either for their subsistence teaching should look di
recty and exclusively to their elevation out of barbarian
Nothing tends more strongly To perpeuate barbarism
among Indians than the indsposition to toll. TO
this motive must be brought TO bear upon tem which
shall be stronger than their inclination to deness 20
long they procure sufficient food and clothing by
any in deness or by the chase there can be no
sufficient motive brought to bear upon them 10 induce
labor.
This act affects few Indian tribes to whom the Gov
eminent has promised certain amounts annually
Your question is raised, Can the Government right
fully compel an Indian to labor for what the Govern
him without labor To the question, IN such
unqualified form, OF course there II but one answer IL
cannot But, II you will put the question 10
the facts in the the answer may be different The
has agreed TO give certain tribe Of Indians
annuity Of from 80 to $50 capita, amounting 10
$50 to $500 annually to each Indian family OF the
tribe This money, received IN cash by the Indians, Will
be little II any value To them. It is certain TO
be Of some injury. On the other hand let these
money is their own and that the Government proposes
give them every dollar OF but that untilthey
come citizenship the Government must insist that they
shall get the most good ont OF their funds thar will be
greatly TO their good to learn 10 labor aud, that there
fore the Government will insist that they shall labor
condition OF getting TINS money would not the moral
of mankind ind0rse this position and action
that the labor required the Indian is
III OF the Gov eminent, but is exclusively for himself
derive the entire benefit, and which in crops and int
provements will bring him. with scarcely an exception,
IN Immediate returns from ten to twentyOld the amount
Of his money annuity. Aud this without taking into
slderation the much greater benefit, which has been
forced upon the Indian by his own labor leading him 10
acquire habits Of industry and learn first lessons in self
The method of forced industry as illustrated has been
in operation among several Indian tribes within the last
two years with most gratifying results could
give you instance OF tribe which had been
toned for 20 years TO receive from $50 to $500 per fam
v annually who have been occupying Of the richest
tracts OF land the United States and yet had become
every year more squald and wTeched, aud generally
within o few weeks after receiving their annual
cash payment These Indians were very much ag
cIieycd and anyered Which, under my order the agent
compelled them TO to work their own land. and
make crop for themselves condition for receiving
Of The GoyeTnme1t pleaded i'm answer their nee
aud the purpose OF the Government 10 benefit them,
and held them 10. The result IL complete
formation in the habits and prospects OF that
tribe. They get good crops from their farms,
their children are coming IN 10 school, they
are taking their land in seyeraity, putting up
houses aud acquiring stock and need only To lie held
steadily the present restrictions for few years, tive
the most, when they will into proper condition
for citizenship think you will agree with me. not only
that the Government had the right 10 usc the an
nuites OF this tribe enforce this industry but also
that humanity and kinddealng, IL had the right,
their guardian and friend To do the best thing for them,
Wiz longer ~ give them their annnltles IN any other