Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1878-11-29
scHvRz's ANNUAL REPORT.
The Secretary OF the Interior Tells VIVA
He o About Indians,

He Knows About Indians,
Washington, Nov. 28-The Indian ser.
vice has b en- reorgunized in several of it
branches. 1t was found necessary to re-
move a number Of agents on account Of
improper practices or lack of business eff
%ticlency, and great care has been taken in
filling their places with new men. Where
mistakes were found to have been made in
the selections they have been promptly rec.
titled. Important changes have been made
in the contract system aud methods of &C.
countability. Active supervision has been
exercised by inspectors and special agents.
Detection Of fraud has been followed by
vigorous prosecution, and on the whole !
feel enabled to say the character of the ser.
vice has been raised in point of integrity
and efficiency. l am, however. far from
pretending that the present condition of
Indian sfairs is what it ought to be. Ex-
p%erieDce gained in earnest effort to over
come difficulties and to correct abuses has
enabled me to appreciate more clearly the
task still. to be accomplished; gradual i'm.
provements 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 control
Of the Indian service alone.
/. 1t a recurrence of trouble is to be
avoided the appropriations made by con.
gress for the support of the Indians who
are not self supporting must be liberal
enough to be sufficient for that purpose and
they must be made early enough in the year
to render the purchase and delivery of new
supplies possible before the old supplies
are exhausted.
2. The Indian service should have at it's
disposal a sufficient flnd to be used with |
proper accountability at discretion in III
forseen emergencies.
3. Citizens of the western states and |
territories must be made to understand that
if the Indians are TO cease to be trouble
some the paupers and vsgabonds are to be-
come orderly and self.supportipg. They
must have lands fit for agriculture and pas-
ture that on such lands they must be per
mittee to reign and establish permanent
homes. and that such result cannot be
obtained if the white people insist upon
taking from them BY force or trickery every
acre of ground that is good for anything.
The first two things can be accomplished
by appropriate action on the part Of con
gress. The difficulties growing out of the
reported encroachments BY
people on the rights of the Indisns may be
by the concentration of the Indians
on a smaller number of reservations.
To keep Indians on their reservation and
disturbances, and conflicts, the
Of Indian affairs recommends
the organization Of aimouated body Of In
dian auxilleries, to be drawn from the
young men of the various tribes and to be
under command of the military authorities.
[ heartily concur in this. Recommendation,
Il is q matter of general experiences that the
Indian SO employed can be depended upon
10 to loyal fidelity to the duties assigned
him.
The principal end Of our Indian policy
consists in gradually Introducing among
The Indians habits and occupations of civil
liked life by inducing them to work for
their OWE support, by encouraging pride OF
ownership Of property and BY
the young generation, and 70
efforts should be spared to bring 10 bear
upon them proper moral influences in that
direction. Such efforts should not be
at. as mere sensational fancies, norl'
should they be discouraged by the assertion
That success is impossible. The advance
made bv some Indian tribes is sufficient
proof that similar advance may be made
BY others, Whsteyer may be accomplished |