The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-11-28
Secretary Seizures Report.


WASHINGTON, November 27.-Tbe Secre-
tary OF the Interior devotes much Of his
report to the Indian policy OF his depart
meut as skctched by him last year, which,
he says. seemed to meet general approval,
as far as public opinion expressed itself,
and he believes that properly aided by Con-
grcss and unintcrfercd with by whites, it
would in course OF time bring satisfactory
results. He describes the circumstances
which led 10 the removal OF the Red Cloud
and Spotted Tail tribes to their reserya-
tons, and reports that these Sioux, so far,
have given evidence of loyal spirit, and
the rumors current OF 4 disposition Oh their
part to break out in hoStilities are entirely
unfounded.
In regard to the outbreak of Bannocks
last spring Secretary Schurz says: 90 1t must
be admitted that they were insuficiently
supplied with food, which, however, was
owing TO the appropriation by Congress
being utterly inadequate to their wants.'
Concerning the outbreak OF 800 Northern
Chcyennes the Secretary corroberates the
statements heretofore made by the Commits
sioner OF Indian Affairs in special report
on this subject, showing that it was not
caused by hunger, nor any neglect on the
part of Government officials to furnish
on the contrary, they received ample sup
plies, and more than they were entitled to.
The Secretary devotes considerable space
to the subject OF Understands. Referring
to measures taken by the Department for
the suppression Of timber depredations, he
says: st was expected that they would
meet with stubborn opposition on the part
OF the lumbermen and others directly or In
directly interested in those depredations.
Here and there the proceedings OF the
special agents Of the Department were
complained OF as oppressive and otherwise
improper, and in every instance careful
inquiries into the facts were instituted.
Such inquiries resulted almost uniformly
in the vindication OF the agents. When
it was found that private property had been
seized, together with timber unlawfully
taken from public lands, or with lumber
manufactured therefrom, which was some
times unavoidable, prompt restitution was
ordered. An officer OF the Treasury was
detailed for that purpose and sent TO the
State OF Louisiana, where the charge OF i'm
proper practices on the part Of our timber
agent had been preferred. The particularly
elaborate report rendered by that officer not
only justifieS the conduct Of the agent OF
this Department employed in that State who
died OF yelow-fever, but it puts the extent
Of the depredationS committed there and ne
cessity Of their suppression in the clearest
light. In several States, especially in the
South, the local authorities were reported
TO be interested parties for purposes OF
hampering and battling the efforts Of this
Department by a variety Of expedients, in
some instances not without effect. In spite
OF these difficulties it may be said that in
some parts OF the country, at least, depre-
dations on timber lands OF the United
States have already been greatly limited IN
extent; but we cannot close our eyes to the
fact that anything like complete success In
suppressing these unlawful practices is inn
possible, unless the efforts made by this
Department for the protection OF the public
property meet with hearty cooperation on
the part OF the legislative branch OF the
Government"
The Secretary also says: "Fiity Indian
children. boys and girls, selected from diff
ferent tribes, have been taken TO the Hamp-
ton Normal and Agricultural Institute, in
Virginia, where they will receive an Gle
mentary English education and thorough
practical instruction in farming and other
useful work, to be sent back, to their tribes
after the completed course. Captain Pratt,
who was entrusted with the selection OF
these children, and who performed his task
in q very satisfactory manner, reports That
continually increasing interest IN educa-
ton is 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. II
favorable, may be destined to become an im-
portsnt factor in the advancement OF CIVIL
cation among the Indians" s,.t