The Tipton advertiser., 1876-05-04
THE INDIAN QUESTION.
speech of Hon. j. q. Tufts
Against the Proposed Transfer
OF the Indian Bureau from the
Interior 10 the War Depart
ment.
from the Congressional Record

colleague on the Committee on In
dian Affairs, Mr.. Turrs
Mr.. TUFTS. Mr.. Speaker, l en-
dorse the views of my friend from
New York Mr.. TowNsESDl in re-
gard to civilizing and Christianizing
Indians; | indorse his position as to
territorializing them, &C.; but it has
nothing to do with this bill. Before
proceeding to discuss the measure,
desire to notice some Of the points
which he presented. He is opposed
to ministers of the Gospel holding
civil positions and has made the ac-
quaintance of several eminent minis
tiers in the city of Washington, and
he hes heard no proposition yet to
turn the affairs of this city over to
them. Is he not acquainted with
several very eminent military gentle
men, and has he ever heard propo.
sition to let them take entire charge
OF the city?
Nv friend talks about the police
force which the Quakers ask for in
their report; there is police force
recommended by that report, but it
is to be made up entirely Of the best
trusted members OF the tribe, and to
be under the control of the Indian
agents. These men, knowing the
habits of their comrades, can much
more easily arrest and bring for trial
the bad men of the tribe than the
cumbersome machine Of the military,
that a few Indians can, by hiding in
inaccessible places, carry on war
with for years. A mistaken idea has
taken possession of some gentlemen
that it is the intention of those who
oppose this measure TO withdraw the
military forces from service among
the Indians. This is mistake which
has been uppermost in the minds of
some throughout the whole of this
discussion. 1t is not the purpose to
withdraw the military forces away
from the Indian country, but to con-
tinue the present policy, that the
agents themselves shall have the
control of the Indians and the mill
tary to do what they were designed
to do, what they we're educated for
to carry out civil authority. When
ever it is proposed TO turn over to
the Military Department of the Gov
ernment what can be carried on by
the civil authorities, it is usurpation
that will result in good to NOBODY.
The gentleman says that Phil. Sheri-
dan was the missionary who did the
work Of civilizing the Indians. Very
well; it is the intention of this side
of the House to let Phil. Sheridan
remain where he now is and work in
his legitimate sphere and where he
can do the most good.
Mr.. Speaker, ] should not have de-
tained the House any further in the
discussion Of this question, but for
the fact that statements have been
made in regard to this matter which |
ought to be CORE cted.
The gentleman from Ohio Mr.. |
BANNING in his speech the other
day said that the appropriation for
the Indian service in 1913 was sS.4,-
AIS and that the appropriation this
year is $7,063,oo0. | am astonished,
Mr.. Speaker, that a man of the in
telligence OF the gentleman from
Ohio should make such statement
as this, because | do not believe that
he intended to mislead the House. |
l have the facts and figures before
me from the Department and / will
ask the Clerk to read the letter from
the Commissioner Of Indian Affairs.
The Clerk read as follows: