Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1878-12-07
Report Of the Secretary of the Interior.

secretary StnUIE Ut SlnS ulS amman l'I'la
this year with Il reference to the plan OF" In
dian policy" sketchcd by him In his last an
nual report, the principal points Of which
were the following:
EIrst-The permanent location OF the In
dams on smaller number of reservations,
containing a fair proportio" oi arabic ana
pasture lands.
Second-En cement of agricultural and
pastoral pursuits by ;hc iurnishiI Z If 0Sli-
cultural implements and domestic nrimals,
and proper instructions by pact cal farmers;
Third-The gradual allotment of small
tracts of land to the lCp'l- ut families to be
held in severalty, under proper restrictions.
Fotrth-The discOur"Evmcnt oi hunting,
proper restrictions A. 10 the possession OF
arms anu ammunition by the Indians, aAu u
gradual exchange OF poncs for cattle.
FI6h-The extension OF the laws OF the
United states over Indian reservations, to he
enforced by proper tribunals and the organ
iZation of an InCi;;u police.
Sirfh-Thc labor Of white men on lnd1an
reservations, as much IA possible, TO DC dls'
pensed with, and prop: discrimination to be
made fin the distribution ot supplies ana an
nuity goods, and the granting of iavors be
tween Indians who work and those who live
Sereuth-The establishing of schools for the
instruction of Indian children In the English
language, the elementary brances OF knowl-
edge, and especially In practical work.
Eighfh-Suflcient provision for the wants OF
the Indians until they become self-suppoit-
The Secretary SAYS: "This plan, put forth
without any pretension TO novelty, seemed to
meet with general appreciation SO inr as pup
lievc that its execution, If properly aided by
Congress, and not intcIiered with by the
white population of the " estern states and
Territories, would in course OF time bring
forth satisfactory results. Considerable
progress has been made in the execution OF
the plan above set forth.
"Fifty Indian children, boys and girls. Sc
lected from different tribes have been taken
10 the Hampton Normal and Agricultural In
stitute, in Virginia, where they Will receive
an elementary English education and thor
ough practical Instruction in farming and
other useful work, to be sent back to their
ribes after the completed course.
"The Indian service has been reorganized
In several of its branches. 1t was found
necessary to remove a number of agents on
account of improper practices or lack of busi
ness efficiency, and great care has been
taken in filling their places with new men.
Where mistakes were found to have been
made in the new selections, they have been
promptly rectified. Important changes have
been made in the contract system and in the
methods of accountability. An active super
vision has been exercised by inspectors and
special agents, the detection OF fraud has
on the whole, feel enabled to say that the
character of the service has been raised in
point of integrity and efficiency.
eff the recurrence of trouble and disturb
ance is to be avoided, the appropriations
made by Congress for the support of the In
liberal enough to be sufficient for that pur-
pose, and they must be made early enough
livery of new supplies possible before the old
supplies are exhausted.
"The citizens of Western States and Terri
tories must be made to understand that, IL
the Indians are to cease to be troublesome
paupers and vagabonds, are to become ord
erly and self-supporting, they must have
lands nt for agriculture and pasture; that on
such lands they must be permitted to reign
and establish permanent homes, and that
such result can not be attained If the white
people insist upon taking from them by force
or trickery every acre OF ground that is good
for any thing.
"To keep the Indians on their reservation
and prevent disturbance and conflicts the
Commissioner OF Indian Affairs recommends
the organization of n mounted body of 'Indi-
an auxiliaries,' to be drawn from the young
men of the various tribes, and to be under
the command of the the military authorities.
heartily concur in this recommendation.
The young men enlisted in such an organiZa-
ton, paid by the Government, will be with
drawn Fl ON the fighting element of the 1ndf-
an tribes and be disciplined in the service of
peace and order. 1t is a matter of general
experience that Indians so employed can be
depended upon as to loyal fidelity to the du-
ties assigned to them"
As regards the outbreak of three hundred
Northern Cheyennes, the secretary corrob-
crates the allegations heretofore made by
the Commissioner of Indian Affairs in the
special report on this subject, showing that
neglect on the part of the Government OIL
cials to furnish them supplies according TO
treaty; but that, on the contrary, they re-
ceived ample supplies, and more than they
were entitled to.
The Secretary, speaking of the timber dep
relations. says that the disastrous conse'
| of the forests of country will inevitably
| come upon us in comparatively short pc
riod of time, considering the rapidity with
| which the timber growth of this country i:
being swept away, unless legislation be en-
acted to arrest this indiscriminate spolia'
ton. To that end he earnestly renews his
recommendation for the passage OF
| bill already introduced in Congress al
| his suggestion which provides that all tim
| Der bearing lands, chiefly valuable for the
timber upon them, shall be Withdrawn IRON
| sale, or other disposition under existing laws
| and be held by the Government with view
| to preventing indiscriminate destruction and
| waste, and to the preservation of the young
timber and the reproduction of the forests.
| The report contains a large amount OF sta
tistical matter, showing the business con-
| dition of the various railways which have re-
| ceived land or money subsidies from the Gov
| ernment.
| The necessity of providing additional room
| for the work of the Patent Office is pointed
| out, and "A hearty endorsement is given tC
| the Patent commissioners plea for liberia
appropriations with which TO purchase book
| of reference to prepare complete digests o.
|