The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-12-07
THE INTERIO~ DEPARTMENf.

Secretary schuSs Recommendations.
The most important portion Of Secretary
Schurz's report Is that relating 70 the discus
don Of the Indian policy. After reviewing the
events Of the year, such a. the Sioux and Nez
Pcrces Wars, the fight of Sitting Bull, and tn
visit Of the Commissioners, Secretary S,hurE
makes the following remarks on the Indian
policy:
While some progress has been made in the
adjustment Of difficulties, and the danger of
disturbance ON . large scale seems remote, 1t
would be unwise to lose sight OF the lesson
Taught by experience, that in these things APP
pearances are sometimes deceptive. and that
the general condition Of our Indian Affairs is
by no means satisfactory. II Is useless to dis
guise the fact that perfect solution Of the In
dian problem-that is to say, 30 complete an
absorption of the Indians In our social and po-
itjcal system that they no longer az pear rs an
homogeneous and troublesome element-is, in
our day at least, fraught with perplexities
which cannot be solved by a mere stroke o.
legislation.
In nv opinion, our efforts should be mainly
directed to the following points:
/. The first thing necessary il that we should
keep good faith with the Indians in every re-
spect. We should never promise them more
than we are able and willing to perform, and
then nerform what we have promised.
3 The pursiir Of hunting l., ~ mach as
possible, to be discouraged among the Indians.
The excitement ~ the chase stimulates their
wafiike propensities. When the Indians cease
to be hunters they will, in a great measure,
cease to DO warriors. TIC this ond they should
be permitted TO possess only limited supply OF
arms and ammunition, and their ponies should
be exchanged as much az practicable for cattle.
3. As number of Indian tribes are still de-
pending in part, at least. upon hunting for
opf Of lp 1a1
for in another way. They shoad be gradually
gathered upon smaller number OF reServa-
tons, where agriculture and cat,le-raising can
be carried Oh With success. and where they can
easily be supplied with their nee ssaTIes until
they are self-sustainng. The Indiaa Territory
mas room for most Oi the Southwestern tribes,
which should be graauaiy located there as
they come under control OF the Government.
One or two reservations IL the Northwest this
side OF the mountains, ana q similar consOllda-
tlon Of reservations on the Pacific slope, TO be
determined on after more minute inquiry into
local circumstances, will accommodate the
Northern Indians. The interspersions Of
Inoiaus and whites, which il 30 apt to
lead to troublesome collisions, can,
in this way, be considerably limited,
aud greater facilities will be afforded
for the promotion Of civilization. While In
dams cannot be expected to become successful
farmers at once, several tribes have already
others are likely TO do so under favorable cir
cumstauces and judicious management.
i. The enjoyment and pride of the indi-
vidual ownership Of property being one of the
most effective civilization agencies, the allOt-
ment of small tracts Of land should be made
10 the heads Of families on all reservations, 10
be held in severalty. under proper restrictions,
so that theymay have fixed homes. To protec
the security of life and properaty among the
Indians the laws Of the United States. to be
enforced 10y proper tribunals, should be eX-
tended over the reservations, and n body Of
police composed Of Indians, and subject TO the
orders Of the Government officers, should be
organized on each of them. 1t is matter Of
experience that Indians thus trusted with OIL
cial duty can almost uniformly be depended Oh
in point of fidelity and efficiency.
3. The establishment 81 schools for the in
stluction Of tho young il gradually being ex-
tended among the Indian tribes under our con-
troll as far az practicable. The attendance of
Indian children should be made compulsory.
One of the most important points is that they
should be Taught TO speak and read the English
language. Efforts have been made to establish
and teach the grammar OF Indian dialects, and
10 use books printed ia those dialects as means
of instruction. This is certainly a very inter
esting and meritorious pathological work, but,
as far as the education of Indian children Is
concerned, the teaching Of the English language
must be considered infinitely more useful. IL
Indian children are 10 be civilized, they must
learn the language of civilization. In this way
a young generation may be raised up far more
open to clyiizing influences OF higher kind,
and more fit for peaceabe aud profitable in
tcrcOurse with the white people.
6. AT many of the agencies farmers are en-
ployed and salaried by the Government, but,
in some if not III most cases, the farms have
been worked by white men merely to raise
crops for supplying the agencies ana the In
diaus They are to be turned To much greater
advantage. The farms should be used in the
first place, for the instruction of the youth at
school.
Z. On the reservations the labor of white
men is TO be dispensed with and Iudion labor
to be employed as much AK possible. Proper
discrimination shoald bo made IN the distrbu
ton Of supplies and auuuity goods, and the
granting of favors between those who work and
hose who live as Idle vagabonds 80 that honest
effort mip Int he encouraged by tangible recog-
milton and reward.
Some of these reforms have for some time
been in progress. Others are i'll course of
preparation. Their accomplishment requires
time and patient labor, and, above all things,
IN honest and efficient Indian service.