The Portland daily press., 1878-11-28
THEINTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
Report Of Secretary Schurz.
An Elaborate Discussion of the
Indian Problem.

u6uttnlS year Win q reference 10 the piau VI tre
"Indan policy" sketched by him in bis last
annual report, the principal points Of which
were the following:
First-The permanent location of the indians
on smaller uum0er of reservations cont ainlng
u fair proportion of arabic aud pasture lands
Second-rhe encouragement of agricultural
and pastoral pursuits by the furnishing OF agri-
cultural implements and domestic animals, and
prop-r instruction by practical farmers.
rhird-The gradual allotmsu of small tracts
OF land to the heads of families to be held in
severalty under proper restrictions.
Fourth-The disbursement of hunting,
proper restrictions as to the possession of arms
and ammunition by the indians, and the grad
ual exchange of ponies for Cattle.
Fitth-The extension of the laws of the
United States ever Iodian reservations, to be
enforced BY proper tribunals, and the organiza-
ton of az Indian police.
SIXth-The labor of white men on Itdian
reservations to be dispensed with as much as
possible and proper discrimination to b. made
In the distribution of supplies aud annuity
goods and the granting of favors between In
dams who work and those who live as idle vag-
abonds.
Seventh-The establi shment of schools for
the instruction of Indian children 10 the Eng
lush language, il the elementary branches of
KNOWLEDGE and especially IN pastoral work.
Eghth-Sufficient provisions for the wants of
the Indiaos until they become self supporting.
The Secretary proceeds to say:
This plan, put forth without any prete nee
to novelty, seemed to meet general approval
as FAR as public opinion expressed itself and L
firmly believe that its execution, if properl
aided by Congress and not interfered with by
the white population of the Western States
and territories, woHld in course of time bring
forth good results. Considerable progress
was then made in the execution of the above
plan a. far as it depends on the action of this
department. and the officers under its direction.
The consolidation of number of agencies has
been under akeu with aiview to a better loca.
cation of the In iiaus, which will at the same
time simplify the service, render more efficient
supervision possible, reduce the expenses of
the government and lessen the opportunities
for Dunder and population. As far as the az
preparations made by Congress would permit
agricultural implements and domestic cattle
have been furnished the Indian tribes to set the
Indians to work for their own support and to
encourage industrious habits Al Indian DO
lice has been organized at % agencies and from
all OF them favorable reports as to the WORKING
OF the new system have been received The
labor Of white men on the Indian reservations
as much as possible, has been supplanred by
Indian labor. Instructions have been given to
discriminate in the distribution of supplies
and ammunition which are not actual neces-
stiles, against individual Iodians who show no
disposition to WORK, thus dIscouraging ideness.
Permission to send out huOting parties has
been given only wben without hunting the In
dams would have been exposed to want Tue
rapid disappearance of game however in many
parts of the Western country will soon stop
this source of sustenance. The allotment of
land among the Indians on the several reserva-
t'ous has been ordered aud is in progress The
facilities Of education have been extended as
much as possible and proper directions given
for the instruction Of Indian children in prac-
tical pursuits.
from the different tribes and taken to the
Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute
IN Virginia, where they will receive an elemen-
tsry English education and thorough practical
instruction in farming and other ust full worn,
to be sent back to the tribes after a completed
course. Capt. Pratt, entrusted with the selec-
ton of these children, and who performed bis
task in very satisfactory manner, reports the
continually increasing interest il education
shown by the Indians, and that they would
have sent thousands of children with him had
he been able to receive them. The result of
this interesting experiment, If favorable, may
be destined to become an important factor in
the advanceme mt of civilization among indians.
The Indian service has been reorganized in
several of its branches. 1t was found necessa-
~ to remove a number of the agents on account
OF improper practices or lack OF business eff
cheney, and great care is taken IN filing their
places with new men. Where mistakes were
found to have been made in new selections
they have been promptly rectied. Important
changes have been made in the contract sys-
tive supervision has been exercised by the To-
spectors aud special agents and detection Of
fraud has been followed by vigorous prosecu-
ton, and on the whole 1 feel enabled to say
that the character of the service has bsen raised
10 point Of integrity and efficiency. 1 am,
however, ar from pretending that the present
condition of affairs is what it ought to be.
The experience gained in the earnest effort to
overcome the difficulties aud to correct the
abuses has enabled me to appreciate more
LARK ia q tn ha noyntiSh oA
In my last annual report stated frankly and
have to repeat now that in pursuing pol
icy with machinery ever SO efficient, gradual
improvement can be effected only by patient,
energetic and well directed work 10 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. 1t a recurrence of the
trouble and disturbance is to be avoided, the
appropriations made by Congress for the sup
port OF the indians who are not selt-supporting
must be liberal enough to be sufficient for that
purpose, and they must ba made early eoough
10 the year to render he purchase and delivery
OF new supplies possible before the old supplies
are exhausted.
The Indian service should have at it's dis
posal sufficient funds to be used with proper
accountability at its discretion in unforeeeen
emergencies.
The citizens of Western states and territories
must be made to understand that if the To-
u'onc "tO w OodSo UouS brOuDltSOU0 D4upbfS
and vagabonds and become orderly and self
supporting they must have lands fis for
agriculture and pasture: that on such lands
they must be permitted to reside and establish
permanent homes, and that such result can
not be attained If the white people insist upon
taxing from them by force and trickery every
acre OF ground that is good for anything.
Inc hrst two things can bs accom- plshed
6y Appropriate action on the part OF Congress
me d'fhculties growing out of continually
repeated encroachments by the white people
on the rights of the Indians may be lessened
ny the concentration of indians on a smaller
numher OF reservations, but they can be entire
~ aVoided even then only by the most energetic
enforcement of the law on the part Of the
general and local governments. To this end it
seems desirable that the southwestern tribes
whose present reservations appear insecure or
otherwise unsuitable for their permanent
settlement should be gradually removed to the
Indian territory. The climate of the Indian
territory is congenial to them while it has
proved unwh0lesOme to the northern Indians
who We're located there. The NORTHWESTERN
tribes will, in the course of time, have to be
concentrated 10 a similar manner on few
reservations east of the Rocky Mountains and
on the Pacific slope. To keep the Indians on
conflict the commissioner of Indian affairs
recommends the organization of mounted
oooy OF Indian auxllairies to be drawn from the
young men of various tribes and to be under
tno cOmmand OF the military authorities.
heartily concur in this Recommendation. The
young men enlisted in such an organization
and paid BY the government will be withdrawn
from the fighting element Of the Indian tribes
and be Disciplined in the service of peace and
order. 1t is matter of general experience
tnat Indians so employed Can be depended on
az to loyal fidelity to the duties assigned them
Bot the pricipal end of our Indian policy can
not be promoted by police measures alone. The
end consists in gradually introducing among
the Indians the habits and occupations Of
civilized life, by inducing them TO work for
their own support by encouraging pride of
individual ownership of property, and by
educating the young generation; and no effort
sbould be spared to bring to bear upon them
properly more influence in that direction.
Such efforts should not be sneered at as mere
sentimental fances, nor should they be dis
couraged by the assertion that SUCCESS is i'm
possible. The advance made BY some of the
Indian tribes is sufficient proof that a similar
advance may be made by others. Whatever
may be accomplished by the employ ment of
force it is certain that only as the Indians
progress in the way of civilization will they
cease to be a troublesome and disturbing
element.