The New York herald., 1878-11-28
Progress Of the Aboriglnes
Toward Civilization.
RECENT OUTBREAKS And THEIR CAUSES.
Necessity for the Preservation
Of Our Forests.
THE RAILROADS AND PUBLIC LANDS
WASHINGTON, Nc

The Secretary of the Interior begins his annual
report to the President this year with reference to
the plan OF Indian policy sketched by him in his
last annual report the principal points of which
were the following
Fgrst-The permanent location of the Indians on q
smaller number of reservations containing fair pro-
portion of arabic and pasture lands
Secoad-Eneouragement Of agricultural and pastoral
by the furnis hing of agricultural implements
and domestic animals and proper instructions by
practical farmers.
Third-The gradual allotment of small tracts of
land to the heads Of families to be held in severalty
under proper restrictions.
Foarih-The discouragement of hunting, proper
strictons to the possession OF arms and ammunition
by the Indians and gradual exchange OF ponies for
cattle
FtaA-The extension Of the laws of the United
States over Indian reservations to be enforced by
proper tribunals and the organization of the Indian
police.
Sisza-The labor of white men on Indian
tons, much possible, to be dispensed with, and
proper discrimination TO be made in the distribution
OF supplies annuity goods, and the granting of
favors between Indians who work and those who live
idle vaeabonds
SeventheThe establishment Of schools for the in
gtruction of Indian children in the English language,
the elementary branches OF knowledge and especially
E,e,h-Sufhcient provision for the wants of the
Indians until they become selfsupporting.
SUCCESS PLAN.
Secretary Schurz proceeds to say
This plan, put forth without any pretension to
novelty seemed to meet with general approval far
as public opinion expressed itself and firmly be-
l1eve that its execution, properly aided by Con-
gress and not interfered with by the white popua-
tion Of the Western States and Territories would, in
course of time, bring forth satisfactory
suits. Considerable progress has been made
in the execution OF the plan above
stated. as far as it depends on the action of
this department and the officers under its direction.
The consolidation of number Of agencies has been
undertaken with view to better location Of the
Indians which will at the same time simplify the
service render efficient supervision possible,
reduce the expenses of the government and
lessen the opportunities for fraud and peculation
he riafin hy
permit agricultural implements and domestic cattle
have been furnished to Indian tribes. to set the
Indians to work for their support and TO
courage Industrious habits. An Indian police has
been organized at twenty-five agencies and from all
OF them favorable reports to the working OF the
Ne" system n1Se been received Inc iaoor
OF white men on Indian reservations has as
much possible been supplanted by Indian labor.
Instructions have been given to discriminate in the
distribution of supplies and annuities which
NOT actual necesssries. against individual In
ursns who show no disposition TO work,
thus discouraging idleness. Permission to send
out hunting PARTIES has been given only
where without hunting the Indians would have been
exposed to want. The rapid disappearance Of game,
however, in mauy parts of the Western country
will very soon stop this source of sustenance. The
allotment of land among the Indians several
vations been ordered and is progress The fac
ties of education have been extended much as pos
sible and proper directions have given for the
Instruction of Incan children in practical pursuits.
Fifty Indian children bows and girls selected from
different tribes have been taken to the Hampton Nor
NAL and Agricultural Institute. in Virginia. where
they will receive an elementary English education
other useful work, 10 be sent back TO their
tribes after the completed Captain Pratt who
was ntrusted with the selection OF these children
and who performed his task in very satisfactory
manner, reports that continually increasing inter-
they would have ssnt thousands of children with him
had he been able to receive them The result of this
interesting exper If favorable, may be destined
to become important factor in the advancement Of
civilization among the Indians
REORGANIZATION SERVICE.
The Indian service has been reorganized in several
OF its branches.
FFrst-It found necessary to remove q number
of agents Of improper practices lack Of
business efficiency, great has taken in
filling their places with new men. Where mistakes
were found to have been made in the new selections
they have been promptly rectihed- Important
changes have been made in the contract sys-
lem and in tine methods of accountability.
An active supervision has been exercised by inspec
tors and special agents. the detection of fraud has
been followed by vigorous prosecution and, on the
whole feel enabled TO that the character OF the
service has been raised in point of integrity and
efficiency. am, however, far from pretending that
the present condition OF Indian affairs is what
1t ought to be. The experience gained in earnest
effort to overcome difficulties and TO correct abuses
has enabled me 70 appreciate more clearly the task
still 70 be accomplished. In my last annual report
stated frankly. and have to repeat that in pur
suing policy ever 40 wise, and with machinery
ever so efficient, gradual improvement can DO
effected only by patient, energetic and vel-drected
work In detail An entirely satisfactory state OF
things be brought about only under circum-
stances. which not and cannot be under the
troll Of the Indian service alone the Of
trouble and d disturbance is to be avoided the appro-
priations made by Congress for the support OF the
Indians who are not seltsupportng, must lie liberal
enough to be sufficient for that purpose, aud they
be made early enough in the year render the
purchase and delivery of supplies possible before
the old supplies exhausted.
Second-rhe Indian service should have at its dis
posal a sufficient fund to be used, with proper
countabilty at discretion in unforeseen energences
EScIsoAd1IMESTs or WHITE
Tltrd-The cltizens Of Western States and Terrific
tories must be made TO understand that. il the
nasn sr 70 be be bSos
derby and self-supporting they must have
lands fit for agriculture and pasture; that such
lands they must be pernited to reign and establish
permanent homes and that such result cannot be
attained u he white people insist upon taking from
good for anything The first two things be
phshed by appropriate action on the part OF Congress-
encroachments Dy the white people the rights OF
the Indians may be lessened by the concentration of
the Indians on smaller number 81 reseryatong but
they can be entirely avoided then only by the
most energetic enforcement Of the law the part of
the general and local governments. TO this end 1t
present reservations appear insecure otherwise
suitable for their permanent settlement. should be
gradually removed to the Indian Territory The eli
mate of the Indian Territory is cong.nial 10 them.
while IL has proved unw hoesome the Northern In
dians who were located there The Northwestern
tribes WILL in the course Of tme have to be
trated In similar manner few reservations east OF
the Rocky Mountains and on the Pacific slope.
INDIAN POLICE RECOMMENDED.
10 keep the Indians on their reservation and pre-
rent disturbance and conflicts the Commits
uoner OF Indian Affairs recommends the
ganization OF mounted body Of srndian
suxiliarles." to be drawn from the young
men of the various tribes aud to be under
the command Of the military authorities heartily
concur in this recommendation The young men en-
listed III such an organization paid by the govern
ment will be withdrawn from the lighting element Of
the indian tribes and be disciplined in the ser
vice Of peace and order. II is matter Of
general experience that Indians employed can
be depended upon 70 loyal fidelity TO the
duties assigned to thcin. But the principal end ~
pur Indian policy cannot be promoted by peace
measures alone. That end consists in gradually in
PRODUCING among the Indians the habits aud occu-
patons ol civilized lite, by inducing them 70 work tor
their own support, by encouraging the pride OF the
individual ownership OF property and by edli-
eating the young generation, and no Efforts
should be spared to bring 10 bear upon
them the proper moral influences In that d.
rection. Such efforts should not be sneefed at as
sentimental ancies should they be discour-
aged by the assertion that success s impossible The