The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1878-12-05
INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.

Secretary Schurz on the Indian Problem.
very large portion of the annual report of
the Secretary of the Interior is devoted to the
discussion OF the Indian question He states
that, on the whole, the character of the Indian
service has been raised in point of integrity and
efficiency, and proceeds to say:
am, however, far from pretending that the
present state of Indian affairs is what it ought to
be. The experience gained in the earnest effort
to overcome difficulties and to correct abuses
has enabled me to appreciate more clearly the
task still to be accomplished. In my last annual
report, l stated frankly, and have to repeat
now, that III pursuing policy ever 80 wise, and
with machinery ever so efficient gradual i'm
provement can be effected only by patient, en-
ergetic, and well-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 control of the
Indian service alone. IF the recurrence of
trouble and disturbance is to be avoided, the
appropriations made by Congress for the sup
port 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.
The Indian service should have at its dis
posal sufficient fund to be used with proper
accountability at discretion in unforeseen emer-
gencies. tFHE
Citizens of the Western States and Terri
tories must be made to understand that, if the
Indians are to cease to be troublesome paupers
and vagabonds, are to become orderly and self
supporting, they must have lands fit for agri-
culture and pasture; that on such lands they
must be permitted to reign and establish per-
manent homes, and that such result cannot
be obtained if the white people insist upon TAX
ing 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 Congress- The difficulties
growing out OF continually repeated encroach-
ments by white people on the rights of the In
dams may be lessened by the concentration of
the Indians on q smaller number of reserva-
tons, but they can be entirely avoided even
then only by the most energetic enforcement of
the law on the part of the general and local gov
ernments. To this end it seems desirable that
the Southwestern tribes, whose present reser-
Walton appears insecure, or otherwise unsuitable
for their permanent settlement should be
gradually removed to the Indian Terri
tory. The Northwestern tribes will, in the
course Of time, have to be concentrated in o
similar manner on few reservations east of
the Rocky mountains and on the Pacific slope
10 keep the Indians on their reservations and
prevent disturbance and conflicts, the Commits
sioner of Indian Affairs recommends the or
ganlzation Of mounted body Of Indian aux
iliaries, to be drawn from young men of the
various tribes, and to be under the command of
the military authorities. I heartily concur in
this recommendation. It is matter of general
experience that the Indians 80 employed can be
depended upon as to loyal fidelity to the duties
assigned them. But the principal end of ou1.
Indian policy cannot be promoted by police
measures alone. That end consists in gradual
ly introducing among the Indians the habits
and occupations Of civilized life by inducing
them to work for their own support, by encour-
aging pride of individual ownership of proper
ty, and by educating the young generation, and
no efforts should be spared to bring to bear
upon them the proper influences in that direc-
ton. Such efforts should not be sneered at as
mere sentimental fancies, for, should they be
discouraged by the assertion that success is i'm
possible, the advance made by some Indian
tribes is sufficient proof that similar advance
may be madeby others. W1hateyor may be accom-
plished by the employmento of force, it is certain
that only as the Indians--progress in the way Of
civilization they will cease to be troublesome
and disturbing element :"