The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-11-28

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can be accomplished by appropriate &C.
ton on the part Of Congress. The Difficult.
ties growing out OF continually repeated
encroachments by the white people on the
rights OF the Indians may be lessened by
the concentration Of the Indians on a
smaller number OF reservations, 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.
yations appear insecure, or otherwise un.
suitable for their permanent settlement,
should gradually be removed to the In
dian Territory. The Northwestern tribes
will, in course OF time, have to be concen-
trated in similar manner on few reser-
vations east Of the Rocky Mountains and
on the Pacific slope.
To keep the Indians on their reserya-
ton and prevent disturbance and conflicts
the Commissioner OF Indian Affairs re-
commends the organization OF mounted
body Of "lndian auxilliaries, to be drawn
from the young men Of various
tribes, and TO be under the command OF
the military authorities. heartily concur
in this. It Is o matter OF general expe-
rience that the Indians SO employed can
be depended on as TO loyal fidelity to the
duties assigned them; but the principal
end Of our Indian policy cannot be promo
ted by police measures alone. That end
consists in gradually introducing among
the Indians the habits and occupa-
tons Of civilized life by inducing them to
work for their own support by encourag-
ing the principle Of individual ownership
oil property and by educating the young
generation. No efforts should be spared
to bring to bear on them proper moral
influences in that direction. Such efforts
should not be sneered ut as mere senti-
mental fancies, nor should they be dis
couraged by the assertion that success Is
impossible. The advance made by some
Indian tribes is sufficient proof that similar
advances may be made by others. What |
ever may be accomplished by the employ
ment Of force, its certain that only rs the
Indians progress in the ways OF ciyiliEa- |
ton, they will cease to be troublesome.
The Sioux, so lar, have given evidence OF
q loyal spirit, and the rumors current OF
the disposition on their part TO become |
hostile proved 10 be unfounded.
He also says that great difficulty was en-
countered in sending supplies from the
Missouri river to the new agencies. In
consequence OF the combination Of trans
portation contractors to force the govern
ment to pay exorbitant prices, their bids
were rejected and the organization OF
wagon trains, to be manned by Indians
with their ponies, was proceeded with.
The task was difficult one, owing to the
character OF the country, as the grass has
teen burnt off the plains between the Mis-
has It, by evil disposed people, to bring
about the failure of this experiment; but
1t has so far been unsuccessful.
In regard to the outbreak OF the Ban
nocks last spring, Secretary schurz says it
must be admitted that they were INSULT
GENTLY supplied with food, which, how
ever, was owing to the appropriation OF
money by Congress utterly inadequate to
their wants. Formerly the money availa-
bic for feeding them amounted 70 less than
~ cents head per day. This creates
discomfort among them. When mur-
der OF white man was committed by
an Indian, who was arrested, tried and
hung, the discomfort grew into excite
ment. A military detachment attempted
to disarm them but with only partial sue
cess, and finally an outbreak took place.
As regards the outbreak OF the 800 North
ern Cheyennes, he corroborates the state
ments heretofore made by the Commits
sioner Of Indian Affairs, in special report
on this subject, showing that it was not
caused by hunger, nor by any neglect
on the part OF the government off.
cials 10 furnish them supplies according
to the treaty, but that on the contrary,
they received ample supplies and more
than they were entitled TO.
Secretary Schurz adds: While in many
other instances the Indian outbreaks are
traceable to the treatment they receive at
other hands, yet 1t appears from the in
formation quoted that In this case the out
break was owing to the mischieyous spirit,
and bad men among the Indians them
selves, and their determination to return
northward to their old hunting grounds.
Nearly all these men among the Cheyennes
have been captured, ,orsurrendered and are
now held as prisoners by the military
authorities in the interest OF general dis
cipline, and in order TO show the Indians
that nothing can be gained by such disor-
derly conduct, 1t is thought best 10 return
them to their reservation in the Indian
Territory, after having given the civil au-
thorities Of the State Of Kansas chance to
identify those who committed murders
and other crimes while passing through |
that State, SO that they may be dealt with
according TO the law.
The Secretary strongly defends the ac-
ton OF the Department and special agents
Of the Department regarding the timber
depredations, and says we cannot close
our eyes to the fact that anything like
complete success in suppressing unlawful
practices Is impossible unless the efforts
made by this Department for the protection |
OF public property, meet with hearty |
cooperation by the Legislative branch
OF the Government. Actual experience
enables me to say that the want OF such |
cooperation has been and will always be |
encouragement to depredators to persist
in their lawless operations and to defy the
authorities. ryfI
The Secretary recommends such legisla.
ton as will preserve and enlarge the tim
,ber.bearing lands Of the country.
Desperate Eneounter With Negro Out.