The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-10-01
THE INDIAN COMMISSION.

A SEARCH FOR INFORMATION REGARDING THE
TRANSFER OF THE INDIAN BUREAu-DIF-
yERENcEs OF OPINION BETWEEN EXPERTS
CONDITION OF THE REDSKINS AND WHAT
THEY NEED.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.l
ST. LOUIS. No.. Sept so, 1873
The Indian Commission, which has been in session
here for several days. continued It's work to-day BY
the examination OF number Of witnesses. Daniel
J. Kelley, formerly agent at stapding Rock
agency, stated that there were about seven
thousand Indians at tho Standing Rock
agency. He thought the Indians could
learn how 10 govern themselves When no was there
they were under mob law and were not allowed 70
make any progress The nrst year he shere there
were soldiers at the agency. The agency was
established by General Harvey. Some Of tho Indians
would work and some wcre too proud. Several OF
The agents were military men, and tho IDdians did
not like them. There was sometimes fear OF
attack on this account. There troops at tho
agency most Of the time There was NO trou0s
with the Indian women TIL the soldiers came. The
place moral under CIVILIAN rule. He thought 1t
would be- better Tor the Indians 10 remain civil
control. The Indians hate the soldiers and do not
want them IN their sight.
CIVILIZED TRAITS.
The Indians want 10 be independent Ia their tribal
relations and no thought Inc laws ought TO extend
thcm as 10 other ctizsns OF The country They know
something Of holding properly IN severaity. A poor
Indian Is not respected, but ricn ono is big
man In camp The properly consists mostly
OF horses II seemed 10 DO necessary Tor
the soldiers remain at the agency after they had
come there The Indians wore very troublesome ana
learned hate all white people intensely
soldiers were necessary lor protection. Supplies
transported mostly through the agents OF The
Indian Bureau. The methods OF transportation of
the War Department are much superior. Major J. A.
Hearne had charge OF the agency Tor two years.
There were good ageuts-one military, tho other
clyii-both satisfactory TO the Indians. The Indians
Morxlized by so many changes IN the ma nagement.
TESTIMONY OF AN OFFICER.
Major A. W. Anyn, Of The United states army, who
Is stationed At Fort Sill, testified that the COmanches
campod near by There are more three
thousand tho three tribes tho neigh borh00d Of
Fort Sill. There some conflict OF authority down
there between tho army and tho agents OF mo In.
terror Department rne officers OF the army have
special interest IN the contemplated change. He was
sure there would be, however, great saving
IN having the Indians under military con-
troll The army can manage them without mucn
had did not like TO work, and would work
less closely watched aud made 10 do He nad
Indians who owned farms hire white men TO tneir
work. He thought the present system bad one. and
that change ought 10 10 made
STOCK RAISING
He thought the lnulaRs would succeed better ut
stock raising than any other occupation, and that
they ought 10 be encouraged in tnat specially. Tho
lnaan Is naturally very sharp aud shrowd man, and
They are not naturally moral In every trloe there
arc recognized class Of prostitutes The soldiers are
moro deMOralizing Than other white men. Tho
officers Of The army 10 not generally desire the trans
fer OF the Indsn bureau, out II it Is made they will
undertake tho work imposed upon them Willingly
They would be patient aud endeaver to pacaiy tue
Indians, Tor there Is great dread among soldiers OF
Indian campaign anu there Is strong desire 10 see
frontier hostiiities come 30 an end.
CAUSE OF THE OUTBREAKS.
Many OF the outbreaks from Dad treatment OF
tho Indians ny the agents. He thought II might DO
finally good thing to extend civil law over the
Indians, but Ut first they would know nothing about
law. II would take some time educate them up to
yhe duties OF citizenship.
Thus far It does appear that the Indian Commits.
sion has elected anything OF very great value 10 tho
country 1t Is about stand.oT between the experts
who believe the Indians ought to be placed under
troll Of the War Department and those who think they
should remain unQer civil guardianship.