Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-10-10

crime Yes, for we hang red man who kills
white man. But what do we do if white
man kills an Indian Oh, that is a venisl offence.
An Indian scalp has the same meaning to us as
the ears of wolf; it represents the death Of
brute which threatened our peace.
They are mean and thievingl Whose example
makes them sol We send among them, not our
honorable and honest men, but men who will
cheat them or the Cove rnment when they have
the chance, and who serve the Government only
to turn q dishonest penny for themselves. And
their life conveys to the untutored mind of the
savage anything but exalted idea Of civilization.
The Government occasionally sends out an honest
man like Father Lang to deal with the Indians.
Were it in the habit of sending men who love
their fellow men more than Mammen, our rela
tons with the Indians would be far more pleasant
and the question of how to deal with them more
easily answered.
Is our policy towards them 10 times OF war more
successful than that pursued in times of peace
There are traditions that used to push our wars
against them to the bitter cad. But no such
course has been taken by us of late years. Ir a
tribe wages war upon us, we send corporsls
guard to subdue them, if we can, during the sum
mer; but 10 the winter We feed and clothe them and
supply them with the best arms and ammunition
we possess, in order that they may fight the bet
ter in the next aupaign.
All this should be thoroughly reformed. Our
Indian treaties should be held as sacred as those
we make with European nations. 1t is poor
morals to respect treaty which we dare not
break and break treaty with a race We despise.
Our dealings with the savage should not only be
honorable in keeping the faith of treaties, but our
Indian agents should be men of honor. And
while we are Just and fair in times of peace, We
should be just and Fl run in times of war.
With the near approach of Congress the papers
and the quidnuncs busy in discussing the vari-
Gus schemes for private benefit and public good,
that are be urged upon the attention of Congress
Among these propositions the one to give each
head of Department a voice in the halls of legisla
ton seems worthy of the early and favorable
ton of Congress.
As matters are now, in order that the Secretary,
say of the Treasury, may have influence in Con-
gress, he must find some one in Congress who is
both willing and able to help him. In fact. the
Secretary, TO secure the passage of bill relating
to the Treasury, must lobby for it as if it were
private bill. Lobbying is bad enough in private
individual; but in public officer it beittles, not
only him, but the government he represents. But
so long the heads OF Department are debarred
from participation in the debates Of Congress, they
must engage in this bettlng work.
The old proverb, "he is best served who serves
himself" applies admirably here. The head of
Department, of course. knows his own business
Il H. l,. IL
send his message to Congress, but outside of the
committee room, the number who will read his
message is exceedingly small. And in the com.
mttee room, whose suggestions will be more
readily listened to The leading member of that
committee who is there in person, and not the cab
met officer whose influence is only exerted
through book, and who has no opportunity to
combat whatever opposition his measure may ex-
cite. Business. too, will be facilitated by the
heads of Department having personal charge of
the bills introduced by them. AS il is their hands
are tied. and they only work through agents
new and better system of elecng the Presi-
dent, it is hoped, will be found and submitted to
the people this winter. so that at the next election
there will be no such danger threatened us last
fall. Surely every one wishes more effective aud
satisfactory means Of determining the will Of the
people, This winters session will be the very
best time for passing bill to meet this need. The
nearer we approach Presidential election the
more mems mind, are biased by the prob
able effect of such an amendment to the constitu-
ton on that election. The problem is very diff
cult, and the wits Of our best thinkers and the
skill of abest statesmen will be severely test
ed 10 order to arrive at q correct solution.