The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-12-04


whether the forest be tinted with pale
spring verdure or covered with the yell
low autumn leaves, in some corner vii.
be heard the workers, busy as bees in a
hive, gayly carrying on their simple,
healthy forest-life. Chambers Journnz.
The Indian Situation as Seen by Sec
rotary Schurz.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 27.-The secretary of
the interior, in his annual report, refers to
his recommendation of last year in regard
to Indians, and proceeds to say: The con-
solidation of number of agencies has been
undertaken with view to the better location
of the Indians, which will at the Same time
render more efficient supervision possible,
and reduce the expenses Of the government,
and lessen the opportunities for fraud and
peculation. AS far as the appropriation
made by Congress would permit agricultural
implements and domestic cattle lave been
furnished to Indian tribes to SCI the Indians
to work for their own support, and to en-
courage industrious habits. An Indian
police has been organized at
twenty-five agencies, and from
I'LL OF Lu0u 1AvOTaOl0. reports
as to the working of the new system have
been received. Instructions have been given
to discriminate in the distribution of sup
plies and annuities which are not actual nee
essaries against individual Indians who show
no disposition to work, thus discouraging idle
ness. Permission to send out hunting parties
has been given only, when without hunting,
the Indians would have been exposed to
onnf Of Ind
several reservations has been ordered and is
in progress. The facilities of education
have been extended as much as possible, and
proper directions have been given for the in
struction of Indian children in practical pur-
suits. The Indian service has been reorgan-
lied in several of its branches.
ut was found necessary to remove num-
Der of agents on account of improper prac-
tees, or lack of business efficiency, and great
care has been taken in filling their places
with new men. Where mistakes were found
to have been made in selections they have
been promptly rectifed.
Important changes have been made in the
contract system and in the methods of &C.
countability. An active supervision has been
exercised by inspectors and special agents.
The detection of frauds has been followed by
vigorous prosecution, and on the whole l
feel enabled to say that the character of the
service has been raised in point of integrity
and efficiency.
I am, however, far from pretending that
the present condition of Indian affairs is
what it ought to be. The experience gained
in an earnest effort to overcome difficulties
and to correct abuses, has enabled me to ap-
preciate more clearly the task still to be ac-
complished. In my last annual report I
stated frankly, and have to repeat it now,
that in pursuing policy ever SO wise, and
with machinery ever SO efficient, gradual
improvement can be effected only by patient,
energetic and we'll directed work in detail
An entirely satisfactory state of things can
be brought about only under circumstances
which are not and cannot be under the con-
troll of the Indian service alone.
If the recurrence of trouble and dis
turbance is to be avoided, the appropriations
made by Congress for the support of the In
dams who are not self-supporting, must be
liberal enough to be sufficient for that pur-
pose, and they must be made early enough
in the year to render the purchase and de-
livery of new supplies possible before the
old supplies are exhausted.
Second-The Indian service should have
at it's disposal sufficient funds to be used,
with proper accountability, at discretion in
unforeseen emergencies.
Third-Citizens of western States and ter
ritories must be made to understand that If
Indians cease to be troublesome, paupers
and vagabonds are to become orderly and
self-supporting. They must have lands fit
for agriculture and pasture; that on such
lands they must be permitted to reign and
establish permanent homes, and that such q
result cannot be obtained, if white people
insist upon taking from them, by force, o,
trickery, every acre Of ground that is good
for anything.
The first two things can be accomplished
by appropriate action BY Congress. The
difficulties growing out Of continually re-
peated encroachnents by white people on
the rights of Indians, may be lessened by the
concentration of Indians on q smaller num-
Der of reservations, but they can be
entirely avoided, event hen, only by the most
energetic enforcement Of lawon the part Of
the general and local government. 10 this
end it seems desirable that the Southwestern
tribes, whose present reservations appear in
| secure or otherwise unsuitable for their per-
manent settlement, should -ha gradually re-
moved to the Indian territory. The North
western tribes will in course of time have to
70 SOASoAGIdtoOl III S1Inll6E manner III q
| few reservations east of the rocky mountains
and on the Pacific slope.
TO keep the Indians on their reservations
and prevent disturbances and conflicts the
commissioner of Indian affairs recommends
the organization Of a mounted body of
Indian auxiliarits, to be drawn from the
young men Of various tribes, and I'd be
under command pf the military authorities.
| heartily CODCuf in this ronOyn n OIL
1t is q matter d general experienced that
Indians 50 employed can be depended Upon
! as to loyal hdelityto duties assigned him.
4 But the principal end Of our Indian policy
cannot be promoted by police measures
alone That end consists in gradually in
Producing among Indians the habits and @ccu-
potion Of civilized life by inducing them
i TO Workfor their own support BY enco4rag-
ing pride Of individual ownership Of prop
erty, andby educating the young generation,
and no eff1rts should be spared to bring to
bear 1nern Il l,er n1oral 1R.ss )nces
I in that direction. Such efforts shoH not
be sneered at as mere sentimental faacies,
for should they be discouraged BY apser--
tions that success is impossible; the adv&nce
made by some Indian tribes Is sufficient pioof