The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1877-12-06
THE INTERIO DEPARTMENT.
Secretary sctuxz.s Recommendation,

THE INTERIO DEPARTMENT.
Secretary schurz's Recommendations.
The most important portion of Secretary
snhura's report is that relating TO the discus
sion of the Indian policy. After reviewing the
events OF the year. such as the Sioux and Neg
Pescea WAYS, the flight of Sitting Bull, and tn
visit of the Commissioners, Secretary Sohurz
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 unw1se to lose sight Of the lesson
taught by experience, that in these things ap-
pearances are sometimes deceptive and that
the general condition of our Indian affairs is
by no means satisfactory. 1t is useless to dis
gulse the fact that perfect solution of the In
dian probleA-that is TO say, so complete az
absorption of the Indians In orr social and DO
litical system that they no longer az pear as an
homogeneous and troublesome clements, in
our day at least, fraught with perplexities
which cannot be solved by mere stroke OF
legislation.
In my opinion, our efforts should be mainly
directed to the following points:
l. The first thing necessarily that we should
spect. We should never promise them more
than we are able and willing to perform, and
then perform what we have promised
= The pursuit. of hunting il. AZ ro1ch as
possible, to be discouraged among the Indians
The excitement of the chase stimulates their
warlike propensities. When the Indians cease
to be hunters they WILL in great measure.
cease to be warriors. To this end they should
be permitted to possess only limited supply of
and hal shn 11Id
be exchanged as much as practicable for cattle.
3. AS number of Indian tribes are still de-
pending in part, at least, upon hunting for
their sustenance, their wants must be provided
for in another way. They should be gradually
gathered upon smaller number of reserva-
tons, where agriculture and embarrassing can
be carried on with success, and where they can
easily be supplied with their necessaries until
they are self-sustaining. The Indian Territory
has room for most of the Southwestern tribes,
which should be gradually located there as
they come under control of the Government
One or two reservations III the Northwest this
side of the mountains and a similar consolida-
ton of reservations Oh the Pacific slope, to be
determined on after more minute inquiry into
local circumstances, will accommodate the
Northern Indians. The Interpretations of
lead to troublesome collisions, can,
in this way, be considerably limited,
and 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
made appreciate progress in that respect, and
others are likely to do SO under favorable cir
cumstances and judicious management.
4. The enjoyment and pride Of the indi-
vidual ownership of property being one Of the
most effective civilization agencies, the 'allot-
nent of small tracts of land should be made
to the heads of families on all reservations to
be held in severatty, under proper restrictions.
so that they may have fixed homes To protect
the security of life and properaty among the
Indians the laws of the United States, to be
enforced by proper tribunals, should be ex-
tended over the reservations, and body of
police composed of Indians, and subject to the
orders of the Government officers, should be
organized on each of them. 1t is a matter of
experience that Indians thus trusted with Off
cial duty can almost uniformly be depended on
in point of fidelity and efficiency.
5. The establishment of schools for the in
struction of tho young is gradually being ex-
tended among. the Indian tribes under our con-
troll as far as 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
to use books printed in those dialects as means
of instruction. This is certainly 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. If
Indian children are to be civilized, they must
learn the language of civilization. In this way
young generation may be raised up far more
open to civiliZing influences of a higher kind,
and more fit for peaceable and profitable in
tercourse with the white people.
6. At many of che agencies farmers are en-
ployed and salaried by the Government but,
in some if not in most cases, the farms have
been worked by white men merely to raise
crops for supplying the agencies and the In
dams. 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.
7. On the reservations the labor of white
men is to be dispensed with and Indian labor
to be employed as much as possible. Proper
should be made in the distribu-
ton of supplies and annuity goods, and the
granting Of favors between those who work and
those who live as idle vagabonds, SO that honest
effort might be encouraged by tangible recog-
milton and reward.
Some Of these reforms have for some time
been in progress. Others are in course of
Their accomplishment requires
time and patient labor, and, above all things,
al honest and efficient Indian service.