The New York herald., 1878-12-05
TRANSFER OF THE INDIAN BUREAU.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE JOINT coMMIssIoN-EyI-
DENcE OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF
INDIAN COMMISSIONERS AND OTHERS OPPOSED
WASHINGTON Dec. 4. 1873.
The Joint Commission having under consideration
the proposition of transferring the Indian Bureau to
the War Department met at ten o'clock to-day The
first witness DR.. A. {. Barstow, OF Providence.
II. l., chairman Of the Board of Indian Commission
ers. and representing the Congregational Church in
behalf of the education and conversion of the Indian
He said in his judgment the proposed transfer
unwise that if effected it would certainly work
adversely to Christian operations now in progress.
He had consulted many Of the leading representa-
tives OF the various religious denominations Ia
boring with the Indians with view to cvilizing and
converting them, and it was almost the unanimous
opinion that the change is inadvisable He recited
at length many interviews had with army officers on
the subject and said those favorng the transfer ap
pcared to have but reason therefor-namely that
the War Department paid better salaries for similar
duty than did the Department of the Interior. He
thought impossible for the body of Indian Commits
sioners to work in harmony with army officials as it
did with civilians, and gave his reason that the
army formed for war, to subdue enemies and re-
tain the peace rather than to promote civilization re-
lsion and friendship.
DEPRESSING EFFECT OF THE MILITARY
post officers" he said. express the opinion that
the military had very depressing effect upon in
dustry, and that they always glad to see them
Withdrawn" As case in point he cited converse
ton between himself and the post officer at Fort
Worth. Texas He advised the dsbandment of In
dian tribes and Of placing them upon settlements or
homesteads they became sufficiently civil
lied and Industrious to for themselves and
families. thereby doing away with the numerous
IN reply to General Scales DIR. Barstow said in his
opinion in five years time under the supervision Of
Christian discipline, the entire Indian could be
civilized for one-haf the amount Of money which
would necessarily be expended in the event of their
being placed under the ruling Of the War Department
and under the former plan, in the time mentioned.
he was sure the aid Of military to keep the Indians
peaceful would be required than it at pres
ent in our States He considered that there are some
very good men in the army, but did not think them
adapted 70 the OF Indian agents. aud was
positive that they are incapable OF promoting religion
civilization, &c.
y. NJ. Kingsley. of New York. member Of the
Board of Indian Commissioners and representing the
Presbyterian sect. also chairman Of the purchasing
views to the commission. In commencing his re-
marks he said he did not to state that the
fer would result in determination. but he thought
it would naturally have tendency to bring matters
70 an end. In his judgment, as the American people
had crowded themselves upon the Indian domain.
they in duty bound to continue the practice OF
educating and civilizing them. Much depends upon
elcvang the domestic life of the Indian Under
the existing administration this could be efectu-
ally accomplished. but army officers, he thought
are entirely unht TO promote this necessity. The
army, in small numbers OF course, is needed
in the Indian service. but eighty per cent of
the Indians infinitely better or without any
army whatever. Continuing, Mr.. Kingsley sad-
I'VE need army with hoes and spades for the
Indians, rather than with swords and rifles. II the
Commission 80 desired he would produce the books
of his Office for every expenditure made by the
Board and where purchases were made. where for
waricsl and the disposition made Of the same. He
defended the Indian agents rs body. and said their
wholesale abuse" unwarranted. With refer
to the creation OF contracts by the Indian Blu
rean he said ne did not accept the criti-
cisms OF the War Department on the subject
and considered 1t poor grace for that department
to offer It, considering the rasc&y contracts which
passed through the hands OF it's oncials during the
late war The great mass of religious denominations
throughout the country favored the continuation Of
the existing peace policy Upon being questioned by
Judge Boone. regarding the work done by the Board,
and what difference IL would make to them whether
they acted in connection with the army or with
civilians appointed by the Interior Department, Mr..
Kingsley sad:-"Should the transfer be made the
Board would not feel that they had any active sym
pathy. Tho good work done by the Board had in
many instances been demorazed by surrounding
military posts" To his knowledge there
listing antagonsm between the various religious de-
nominations.
The committee then. after few unimportant que~-
tions. adjourned to meet Friday next when Secre
tary Schurz and Indian Commissioner Hayt cx-
pected to appear and give their views the subject