New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-03
EXTRACTS FROM TIE REPORT.
FRAUDS AND REFORMS IN TIE INDIAN SERVICE
A PROPER POLICY oUTLINED-THE FORESTS

PROPER POLICY oUTLINED-THE FORESTS
lRY TELEGRAPH TO THE TBIBUNEl
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.-After reviewing briefly
the important events OF the year connected with
the Indian affairs. such the Sioux and Nez Perc6s
wars, the night of Sitting Bull to Canada and the visits
OF the United States Commissioners TO him, Secretary
schurz makes the following general remarks on the
Indian policy. in his annual report:
While some progress has been made in the adjustment
OF difficulties, and the danger OF disturbance on aEe
scale remote IL would be unwise CLOSE sight az inc
lesson taught bv eyprIeuce that in these things apcar-
sometimes deceptive and that the general cond-
II useless disguise the fact that perfect solution OF
the indian problem" that Is TO saw so GoinpJtt m
system, Chat they will longer appear as an neon
grIOUs and trouIesone eienen IT, III our u3 ~
frausht with perpcxities which cannot be solved by a
mere stroke OF legislation
A COMPLICATED PROBLEM.
We have TO deal with population whose character
and habits of life such to present extraordinary
difficulties TO civzing influences This circumstance
alone however does not in itself constitute the main
difficulty we have to contend with We frequently
reminded OF the fact that the character Of our Indians
docs not materially differ from that Of the
Indians in tho British possessions on this con-
tincnt and that nevertheless peace and friendly
relations maintained there between the Indians and
whites That true but the condition Of things in the
British possessions ia in very important respects
essentially different from that which exists in the United
States. In The British the huk of tine iudal
ny settlements W WINES VI ~, '".. 10 ,t" Id,
Indians may roam about in full freedom WIN,
ont danger OF col.l9n ana ,he anuHu1i '' 10 Z,
FISH and game luiu'htS mem COUPE ldi ', -
ample sl,tcnauce. Tie line dividing the Indians ana
the whites can Doc easily cOntroIea Dy Wen oIGaNq
body Of police VINO MAINTAIN peace anu oiGeI '' ~
the United states have no longer dIYoug Inc me
Indian frontier has virtually disappeared Our IN
DIAN population is scattered over Fsi tN'tnt Ul Co,
try into the agricultural settlers. rs wei as Tue
have puthed t4clr ah'iIi nor" J." ~. ~ W.
Die directions. Wherever IN 'aG - jar No.
and Indians come INTO immediate contact ana
are in another way. That contact APP 10 DilhS
the whites which ab1unds in mat par OF the country
holds the rights snd lives Of lHdl ns ~ Yer! Shl es
said 10 be under The con ro Of law while IN frequent IL
stances also. the indian iroyohes reHbu ion by !oo"
~, a, f % INC p"iiy r0aIisi( ON mis- cont
nom saw In the Indian tribes surrounding iriH very
VIi rasfIors mat system has cone hy in
bcriianc. down to days when the Indians, under
radical eLiSe VI C'i' INC, s S,i,onal Wa,tls and
I9.t,rv of Indian treaties. As white settlements
!lo'iy od rvr tl,, r5rtrv treaties wore IN large
number ~ instances made only 10 De- broken when the
advance Of civilization found them A. barriers IN It's way
t c,lJ moi stand rs hualitics. although thoy were
',Iy cll,d So That in the feQCet ami rapid changes
to which these trce, were subjected the Indians some
t,oes red great injustice, iarniHded VIII
supcrvencd A. the Indians were crowded ont OF their
iu,tinp grounds their susenauce became precar0us
and mon tie government dcyolyei tne daty to supply
them Wn food ana clothing. That duty was ana u LOW
,rfcr,urd ON a contract system and through Indian
G neral Jyernmcut and far removed from tSimmedac
supervision tempting opportunities were presented
f0r rul aud pccuati0n deHOralZug the service, ana
rDsultng many instances IN gleVous disappointment
ana suffering among Inc Indians Not sedoil the promises
made To theIn fltG OF The expected pcrfC nance on
couut OF the insufficient appropriations. IL tlS Nay me
Indian has become dstrust'u OF the good faith Of the
TaSDg all these things together The interspersion Of
fe settlers reckless adyeuiurers and more or less
IN some OF It's features absurd treaty system with Its
ever changing hnaues." it, frequent receptions, IN
avodable misunderstandngs amt lnceSsant dsai-
pointmenisi The temptations 10 fraud ana lecu-
la;ious ln furnishing ana distributing supplies me
careless ana bluDdern management or agents removed
from the immediate supervision OF the Government; inc
sometimes accidental sometimes cupdbie uiull"thI
OF promises and engagements the distress aud suffering
cDsilng therefrou and the comparatively hwless aud
uncoutrollab.c condition Of society in that part OF le
cOuntrv when the bulk OF the Indian population nha,
we fnu il Indian question" al array 81 difficulties:
COMPLICATIONS and pcrpCXes, complete solution o.
watch, IN short period Of time at least, appears unat-
PLAN PRESENTED.
What under such crcums tances, can be done, is TO
adopt ana follow plan of systematic action calculated
TO mitigate the evils inherent to mcOngruous pOpG-
lation. and TO conino them within the narrowcst
possible hmits by improving the condition OF the In
dians much It is capable OF Improvement and re-
moving tho Of hostile collision between the III
and the whites In my opinion efforts should
be mainly directed 70 the following points,
FirstTho first thing necessary that We should keep
good faith with the Indians N every respect. We should
never promise them more than We arc able and willing
TO perform ana then perform what We laye promised
hccoHd-Ihe pursuit q! hunting is much possible
to be discouraged among the Indians Ihc c1cit,ent
Of the chase stimulates thor warikc propenf. ties.
when the Indians cease TO bc hunters they VIII in
great measure cease 20 be warriors. TO TINS they
should be- permitted 10 possess only limited supply
arms aud AMMUNITION and their ponies should be ex-
changed as much as practicable Tor cattle.
Ihtrdh number Of Indian tribes still depending
in part ~ eai upon hHn,ns fcl he sus;enance their
wants Inust Ice provided Tor IN another way. They
should be gradually gathered upon smaller number of
reservations. where agriculture and cattle raising be
carried on with success ana whefe th,y can easily be
supplied according 10 their necessities, until they
ssr mc. & n tine Ga d0y Toe s"' MG%
should he gradually located there a. they come
emu r,srryations in the Northwest tis side OF the
mountains and similar consolidation or reservations on
the Pacific slope to be determined upon alter more
m mute nqGiry into local circumstances, VIII accOmmO-
date Northern Indians. The ineIsperson OF Indians
IONS can M TINS way be Onsderaby limited, and greater
facilities will be afforded for the promotion OF civil
FoJih-whe Indians cannot he expected TO become sue
cessu farmers at once several tnDrs nave already made
to DO 50 under favorable circumstances ana Judclnu'
management II VIII probably be found mat many tribes
arc more iaptrd 10 pastoral pursuits anu M suc ciss
agriculture though not 10 be neglected should De made
subordinate to the raising OF cattle, "A beghnihts III
s~r fro Will necessarily be small and SLOW. but tlry
slcld he patiently guided and encouraged by attentive
A.. .efN4siOu and liberal ald. ,,, -
NH The enjoyment and pride OF the individual Own
e.u OF property being one % the most effective CIVIL
z.ne agencies, aotmcnts Of mail tracts OF lanu "I'u
n gad. % me heads OF families on All reservations, TO
bo held u scyoTaltv, under troPef restrictions 30 tH'
~, may b,y, Ok. homes Indians VINO can furnish
cnt evidence HAT tLey have supported their lam
H. ir cert ia number Oh years, should DC ddhltlcu W
H,@ heucuts OF the Homestead Act, and, u
fLcv are willing 10 detach themselves nom
iheir tribal relations, 20 the privileges OF citizenship
a. bercc the security Of lie and property among the
Indians r laws Oi the United States, To be enforced 10y
Irncr tribunals shOu BE- extended over the reserve
ii aud body Of police, com posed OF Indians ana sud-
p tr e oriers o tie Government, Should DE Oi gan
- ~, '.ab ~ them ItIs matter Of experience tn4t
I'm. rl1Jsted with official duty can almost un
t,niy Zoe depended upon IN point Of hdeliy anu en-