The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-07
GENERAL CROOK ON THE INDIANS.
From tho Chicago Post, May2l

From tho Chicago Post, Nay
General Crook, tho military commander, whose 10.
sition in Indian affairs has bcen.s prominent, is
visit to Chicago en- route the East stopping ut tho
Grand Pacific. IL Is something over year since no
here last during which time great deal has
place among tho Indians, but nothing which has not
been dilatcd upon to the fullest extent from time to
time. II in regard to tho management of the In
dams that the Post reporter asked information of tho
General, and particularly as 70 proposed Charges IL
Is we'll known that army officers general thing
do not concern themselves with matters winch lie
III the hands OF tho government that they are not
advantages defects Of the proposed changes Gen
cral Crook no exception TO the rule. but far
Indian affairs past and present, were concerned, he
was quite tree 10 state hts mud. In the nrst place
there not that novelty IN regard to tho disarnng
aud unhorsing Of the Indians which tho people here
nbouts appeared 10 think. Ii had been IN operation
long tmc and had ceased TO attract attention oppo
stion among them. There were wandering Indians
who were not thus deprived but those who into
tho accept this OF tho conditions
oil their admission. Coming INTO the reserve meant
coming to 1--we on the government Tho Indian fund
Feeds and clothes these people, and supports them
wholly and entirely MS though they were infants.
There are between II 900 and $1,000 OF them. Cen
cra Crook spoke OF them AS being In complete idle
ness. They did absolutely nothing but loaf about
much rs lot OF opcn-ar paupors. They have no arms
and do not hunt, aud having no horses their powers
OF iocomotion limited. The proposed change is to
make the ndiDns work and To change the character OF
the support and General Crook saw no REASON why
the Indians could not make their own living. IL
no expoi lnent, tins matter. Tho Indians OF Indian
Territory were completely scli-suppoItng. lie could
not say why the lDdians oil the Northwest had not
regarded II Al almost nonscnsca to toll OF the capacity
oil the Indian 10 make hls own living and
TO 1.-Two IN peace There was absolutely
difference between these people and white men,
Ia their action under similar circumstances up 10
CERTAIN point as Tor example, an Indian would TAX o
pride IN property just like a white man, and when
lett IN the woods To wander about ike wolves he bc
came Just as idle and worthless AS white mon. "Gvo
him piece OF land, said General Crook, s'snow HIM
how TO cultivate II, give him start IN the way Of
tools aud Seed aud hc will be anxious To bold 10
what he has and to bctior himself" Tho General did
no, think that there WIS anything remarkable about
tho Indian as TO his ability TO take OF himself,
and did not think that remarkable means required
10 take oil HIM and 10 place him 10 the best
tDgc He would 20 about improving Indians
just man would 90 about rearing children by put
ting within their power TO be useful and then tcacn-
plan anu OF teaching Indians by processes different
from what would be used for other mon. They must
be given work, ana the civilization which follows work
would come TO them In regard to natural hostility
between the Indians and the whites General Crook said
that this did, indeed exist to certain extent; bu,
whltc man was tho least friendly OF the two
What would be most needed, SAID he, after
having settled tho Indians and mado OF them
agricultural community, would DO 10 plac,
a strong guard over them and protect them. They
have lcaouses ana little unmtics between tho tribe.
people living IN complete ideness thcy are rcma
peaceful The General was not informed as TO wha
the government meant 10 do IN the way OF change, bn
II might DO that tho policy which had been found 81
successful III tho Indian Territory would be followed
among the Indians Of tho Northwest There is nothns
nj ALL said he TO prevent tho Indians from being mad,
All orderly community. and ono perfectly selI-sus
tain Ina.