The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-04-25
The Indian Reform Bill.

The Indian Reform Bill.
The Senate has long been regarded as
the stronghold OF the Indian Ring. The
largest and worst appropriations have
originated in that body, and sometimes in
the names of tribes that had never exist
ed in the flesh. Under the benignant sway
of Brother HARLAN. rs Chairman of the
Committee on Indian Affairs, millions were
voted for fabulous objects, and his moral
example was not lost upon his SUCCESSORS
They have prodted US he did, and will
continue to do so, unless the rotten and
:'ascally system be overthrown which rem
ders corruption easy, and legaizes plumber.
II is estimated that of the vast sums of
money appropriated for the Indian service
not more than twenty-five per ceut., II so
much, ever reaches the Indians them
selves. The Rings, the agents tho inter-
mediaries, and the dependents consume
the other two-thirds, except q margin set
aside for political purposes. This fact
alone explains the enormous increase In
the expenditures during the last seven
years which have more than doubled rs
compared with those under Mr.. LINCOLN
Or any OF his predecessors.
During the recent debate in the House
of Representatives on transferring the In
dian Bureau from the Interior 10 the War
Department. the floor was thronged with
the attorneys and agents of this formula
bic and INSCRIPTIONS Ring 1t was the
only occasion upon which any organized
combination to rob the Treasury devel-
oped in force at this session. The South
ern Pacific Ring OF Col. Tom SCorT was
driven of long ago, and has not dared to
reappear except with broken front, be-
fore the Senate committee.
But this demonstration failed in the
House, though backed by a large follow
ing of regular Ring members, with the sup
port of score Of philanthropists, who
think moral reform among the Indian
tribes and large appropriations by Con-
gress should go hand in hand together.
Some Of this latter class were honestly de-
luded by theory which experience re-
jects, while others found 1t a convenient
form for covering more selfish motives.
This is the first hard blow at Ring
rule as visible reality. Since Grantism
became established as the practice of the
Government, forty or more millions OF
dollars have been absolutely stolen by this
band Of thieves, whose head was in the
Interior Department, and whose power
reached out FROM the White House
TO the most distant settlement and Indian
agency. In transportation alone some
three millions Will be saved every year If
this reform shall finally pass. The Indians
will get what Congress appropriates for
their use, they will be more contented for
that reason, and the constant complaints
which have led to trouble and expense
will be abated.
1t is not intended in any way to inter
fere with the religious instruction of the
tribes by the transfer TO the War Depart
ment. The various denominations that
have heretofore interested them selves in
that good work, will have the same privi-
leges they have enjoyed, and perhaps even
greater facilities, by the more regular mode
OF life and discipline among the Indians,
which will follow from the very nature of
the change. Under the present system the
Interest of the agent and trader is to en-
courage vices in the Indian, in order to
make him more easy prey TO their cupid
ity. With these temptations removed,
habits OF sobriety and industry will grad
ually grow into use, and supplant the wild
life ana drunkenness which obstruct every
advance toward civilization. Restraint
and accountability are necessary parts of
reform.
II now remains with the Senate to ap-
prove or to reject this measure. The test
Is one which will try something more than
the mere policy at stake for personal in
terests and dividends in the spells are like
ly TO play far more important part in the
ultimate fate Of the bill, than any regard
for the Improvement OF the Indians.
Plausible theories can easily be con-
structed by Ring Senators for resisting
the transfer
GRANTS so-called peace policy has been
fraud from the start and was used by
canting knaves aud corrupt rascals as u
means OF getting control of the approptia-
tions, and as a plea for appealing TO Con-
gress for more money, by invoking the
sympathy Of religious sects The only
practical result has been 10 double the ex-
penditures and TO debauch the Indians
Let us now dsm the emissaries of thi,
Rtrocious system, deal honestly with these
wards OF the nation, cultivate peace, and
Drlhg them gradually WITHIN the circle OF
civilization.
Thus far the Senate has rejected the re-
auctions in the appropriation bills passed
by tho House, and insisted upon carrying
out the eXtravasant estimates of Grant
ism. Now, reform is presented IN another
shape, and exactly in the manner which
the majority Of that body claimed TO b'
necessary. If they fail TO accept IT and alb
solutoy refuse retrenchment, as has beer
threat ened, then deadlock between th'
two Houses is Inevitable, for the people
representatives wiz not YIELD AlS pQlat