The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-12-03

| fined to a comparatively small number o
. Indians. The discomfort among the Ban
nocks, whichled first to some acts OF VIC
J lence on the part OF some members OF thu
tribe and finally to the outbreak, appear
to have been caused by an insufficiency O
food on the reservation, and this in
suificiency to have been owing Il
, the inadequacy Of the appropriations
OF the Indians, at a time when the
Indians were prevented from supplying
the deficiency by hunting After an
arduous pursuit by the troops OF the
United States and several engagements,
the hostile Indians were reduced to sub
lection, and the larger part OF them sur.
rendered themselves as prisoners. nthis
connection desire to call attention to the
recommendation made by the Secretary Of
the Interior, that q sufficient fund be
placed at the disposal OF the Executive, to
be used with proper accountability at
discretion, in sudden emergencies OF the
Indian service.
The other cause OF disturbance was that
OF band OF Northern Cheyennes, who
suddenly left their reservatson in the
Indian Territory and marched rapidly
through the States OF Kansas and Nebras-
ka, in the direction OF their old hunting
grounds, committing murders and 9TH
er crimes on their way. From doc
uments accompanying the report Of
the Secretary OF the Interior, 1t appears
that this disorderly band was as fully sup
piled with the neeessaries Of life as the
four thousand seven hundred other In
dams who remained quietly on the reser-
walton, and that the disturbance was
caused by men OF restless and mischiey-
Gus disposition among the Indians them
selves. Almost the whole OF this band have
surrendered to the military authorities,
and It is gratifying fact that, when some
OF them had taken refuge In the camp OF
the Red Cloud Sioux, with whom they had
been in friendly relations, the Sioux held
them as prisoners and readily gave them
up to the officers OF the United States, thus
giving new proof OF the loyal spirit which.
alarming rumors to the contrary notwltli-
standing, they have uniformly shown ever
since the wishes they expressed ut the
council OF September, 1877, had been COM
piled with.
Both the Secretary OF the Interior and
the Secretary OF War unite in the recon-
mendation that provision be made by Con.
gress for the organization OF n corps OF
mounted "Indian auxiliaries," 10 be un-
der the control OF the army, and TO beused
for the purpose OF keeping the Indians OH
their reservations and preventing or re-
pressing disturbance on their part. |
earnestly concur in this recommendation.
It is believed that the organization Of such
body OF Indian cavalry, receiving n mod
crate pay from the Government, would
considerably weaken the restless element
among the Indians by withdrawing from
1t number OF young men and giving
them congenial employment under the
Government, it being n matter OF expe-
rience that Indians in our service almost
without exception are faithful in the per-
iormance OF the duties assigned to them.
Such an organization would materially aid
the army in the mplishment OF task
for which It's numerical strength is some
times found insufficient
But, while the employment OF force for
the prevention or repression of Indian
troubles is OF occasional necessity, and wise
preparation should be made to that end,
greater reliance must be placed on humane
and ciyilizing agencies for the ultimate So
luton Of what is called the Indian prob
lem. 1t may be very difficult, and require
much patient effort, to curb the unryly
spirit OF the savage Indian to the restraints
Of civilized life, but experience shows that
it is not impossible. Many OF the tribes
which arc now quiet and orderly and self
supporting were once as savage rs any that
at present roam over the plains or in the
mountains OF the far west, and were then
considered inaccessible TO civilizing infiu-
ences. It may beimpossibleto raise them
fully up to the level Of the white popula-
ton OF the United States; but We should
not forget that they are the aborigines Of
the country, and called the soil their
own on which our people have
grown rich, powerful, and happy.
We owe it to them. as moral duty
TO help them In attaining at least that de-
gree OF civilization which they may be able
10 reach. It is not only our duty-it is also
our interest to do SO. Indians who have
become agriculturists or herdsmen, and
feel an interest in property, will thence
forth cease to be a warlike and disturbing
element. tits also q well-authenticated
| fact that Indians are apt TO be peaceable
and quiet when their children are at school,
and am gratitied to know, from the eS-
pressions OF Indians themselves and from
many concurring reports, that there is u
steadily increasing desire, even among In
dans belonging to comparatively wild
tribes, to have their children educated. !
invite attention to tho reports OF the Sec
rotary OF the Interlorand tho Commission
erof Indian Affairs, touching the expert
ment recently inaugurated, In taking fifty
| Indian children, boys and girls, from differ
emit tribes, to the Hampton Normal Agri-
cultural Institute, in Virginia, where they
arc to receive an elementary English edu.
cation and training in agriculture and 9TH
or useful work, to be returned to their
tribes, after the completed course, rs in
terpreters, instructors, and examples. II
is reported that the officer charged with
the selection OF those children might have
had thousands OF young Indians sent with
him had II been possible 10 make provi-
sion for them. lGgree with the Secretary
Of the Interior in saying that "the result
OF this interesting experiment, II favorable,
may be destined to become an important
factor in tho advancement Of civilization
among tho Indians"
The question, whether change in tho
control of the Indian service should be
made, was, at the last session OF Congress,
referred to . committee for inquiry and
report, Without desiring TO anticipate
that report, venture to express the
hope that in the decision OF so i'm
portant a question, the views express
ed above may not be lost sight OF,
and that thedecision, whatever It may be,
will arrest further agitation Of this subject,
such agitation being apt to produce dis
turbing effect upon the service as vel! as
on the Indians themselves.
HOT SPRINGS.
In the enrolmentof the bill making ap.
preparations for sundry civil expenses, at
the last session Of Congress- that portion
whichprovided for the continuation OF the
Hot Springs Commission was omitted. AS
the Commission had completed the work
OF taking testimony on the many conflict
ing claims, tho suspension OF their labors