New-York tribune., 1878-12-23
THE VIEWS OF AN INDIAN FIGHTER.
COLONEL Mills ARDENTLY IN FAVOR or PUTTING
THE WILD TRIBES UNDER THE RULE OF THE WAR


COLONEL Mills ARDENTLY IN FAVOR OF PUTTING
THE WILD TRIBES UNDER THE RULE OF THE WAR
DEPARTMENT.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUyEl
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22.-Gencral n. A. Miles. Col
onel of the 9th infantry, and known as one of the
best Indian fighters in the Army, has written the
following letter on the subject OF transferring the
Indian Bureau to the War Department:
wAsMSGToS, ID. c., Dc IL 1873.
Hon. A. SAUNDERS, United States Senate.
SIR: In answer to your request have the honor to
submit the following views regarding the Indian ques
tiOn
The relations existing between the Two this
country the present time simply the result OF 200
years OF warfare. Of bad faith and Encouragement.
a people and q Government have our
hands about 100000 Indians that are, In the main,
constant source OF great expense and annoyance To
avoid such have frequently occurred In the past
few years. the evils OF which cannot be Estimated 10
better the condition OF the Indians, the Govern
ment millions Of money annually, TO give protection 10
life aud property along extensive frontier. would
for following reasons, renew the recommendations
have frequently made in official communications on the
subject:
Frst-No body OF people be successfully governed
without some physical government. To continue the
present system promote lawiessness and endaDger
the settlements to murder and devastation.
SeeOnd-The change from barbarism to civilization
natures laws.
Third-The education, civilization and Characterization
must be mainly through the rising generation, and to
make them in turn intelligent governors and Instructors
believe the Honorable Secretary Of the Interior is
dong everything in his power 10 reform that branch
the public service yet ho has not the Of contro
ing The large tribes who hostile, in semhostile
condition. aud whose warriors fully armed and
numbered by thousands. / would recommend that
stronger government be tried, for few years
Allowing the civilized and semcivized who are iiv-
within the settlements in the eastern Of the
Indian Territory TO remain as at present. would recon-
mend:
Frst-That the nomadic tribes. who ore fully
mounted and armed, namely, the Sioux, Assnib0iDes,
Gros Ventres Crows. PIegans, Cheyennes. Arapahoes
Kowas, Comanehes Apaches Navaloes, Utes Bannacks,
spokaDes Umatilias Blackfeet and other like roaming
tribes be placed under the control Of the War Depart
ment,
SecondThat the Honorable Secretary Of War be direct
ed TO detail officers OF known experience and integrity
made by Congress be dsbursed In such way to do
the Indians the greatest good preserve their loyalty
and enable them 10 become self-sustaining.
ThrdThat the military forces shall be used 10 enforce
treaties made with the Indians 70 keep them In their
reservations as with the terms OF their treaties TO
and TO protect the Indians In their rights or persons and
property.
Fourh-That the Secretary Of War be authorized TO
make use OF any unoocuped buildings at military posts
for the stores and property Of Indians and that any
public animals transportation otherwise employed
pairing OF gardens and farms for the localizing the
Indians.
Fltth-That any unoccupied military posts may be
used for the establishment OF industrial schools where
the children Of the different tribes may and adopt
the English language, habits Of Industry and thu proper