The New York herald., 1878-11-25
Views Of an Old Army Officer
and Indian Fighter.
THE ANNUAL SUMNER CAMPAIGN.
Cause Of Outbreaks and How
to Prevent Them.
SAN FRAScIsco. Nov. IA, 1873.

main in them, and it that certain unusual
movements. combined with most unaccustoned air
of interest the part OF the officers, ut at
tracted the attention OF the visitor. Dropping into
the quarters of old officer OF rank who had COM
menced his military a smooth faced lieuten-
ant III the Mexican and continued il pretty much
since Indian fighter. with the exception OF
short episode Of four or ivo years on the sacred
soil of the Old Dominion, your correspondent found
him partially buried in . Of walking shoes.
knapsacks and other articles suggestive
III active campaign. Somewhat astonished. and hav-
ing faint idea OF trouble somewhere about
fisheries. asked:-
What in the world is the matter Is there going
to be with Englands"
"Not that aware Of though stranger things
have happened. No; merely trying to select the
best Of these things for my poor fellows during the
next summers campaign"
.Ah. there's going to be = campaign, thenY'
(Pecvishly) why. Of there is going to be
campaign-theres always campaign when the
weather will permit regular summer
campaign against the Indians"
'Oh certainly. Beg pardon. Excuse my ignorance.
But what particular Indians this timer
''Out here we are preparing for the Yakimas and
Umatillas"
what! Surely you do not anticipate any trouble
from those quiet Industrious redsknsY'
"Alas, yes! Never were Indians desirous Of
peace but they have fine reservations that are
coveted by the neghboring whites. and from my OBJ
servations during last summers campaign and what
I in the papers I feel certain Of war with
them'
what is your idea2 How can any trouble arise
with the .YaksY'
YAKrMAs UMATILIAB
1.-The Yakimas have reservation upon the river Of
that name in Washington Territory. It Is . model
one. Dr. Wilbur. Presbyterian Methodist min
tster Is the agent. and with his whole heart in the
work he has made these Indians Industrious honest
and peacoable They raise largo quantities of grain
and numbers Of beef cattle. much more than are nee
essary for their support and rich. The Umstilas
have rich agricultural and grazing lands Eastern
Oregon. They raise enough grain and vegetables
for their use. and rich in stock. They
would do great deal better il encouraged. Both
these tribes sef-supporting. but suppose in
y year two. after enormously expensive war
they will be placed upon reservations and be fed
for years at government expense. Our Indian
policy now seems to be to force. by an
expensive war, the tribes upon reservations. And
should any tribe by its own enterprise (for no sys-
tematic encouragement Is gven become selfsupport-
ing. then. by another expensive war. It IL compelled
| pense to the country"
| "Who Is responsible for this policyy
''The grasping. unprincipled whites who live in
localities contiguous to the Indians However much
they may differ on other matters they agree the
subject Of robbing tho Indians and every represen
the aid he gives in this bad work they % are % loud (,
mouthed and aggressive. and. ~ the rest Of the
the Of are not TIM.
"Ah. yes! But your acquaintance is limited. you
The hrst settlers Of Q country are apt to be
honest. hard working. decent fellows. The second
how OF the tide always brings the bad ones. They
genuinely bad white man why talk about the prog.
rcss Of the race and all thsts Why. lot man loose
from the restraining influence Of law and popular
warmth
GENERAL CONDITION OF THE INDIANS.
Nothing be sadder than the condition Of the
the government. with Tow exceptions their agents
dishonest Of not sufficient force 20 see
that they have their supplies. They either not
required 70 labor their agents have not the power
to make them. Half starved, half naked and dirty.
they abandoned TO all the Of ieness. with
surety that the wretched places they occupy will
for any outrage that may be perpetrated upon them
Can you wonder that they go upon the warpathy"
How is it that so many bad men are appointed
Tho manner in which affairs are conducted makes
good many of them There Is system. The
makes scrutiny Of accounts. Each agent conducts
his agency according to his Judgment. and cheat
in OF all kinds with mpunity on the reserva-
tions the Indians find the railroads. mining enter
prises and settlements are driving away all their
ef os % Essr
horrible reservations for themselves and their chill
drcn and view the approach Of the white they
him. not in anger. but in selfprcservstion."
ANNUAL INDIAN CAMPAIGN.
"But this Will not last long =
"well, without change, fexpect campaign every
summer till die or retire. Our sons will have them
. hardy warrior. and. after expense greater
children may settle the Indian question"
put a stop to these and improve the Indian y
Public sentiment should be enlightened and in
duced to exort it, influence. Lot the press Of the
country take up the question and urge the organza-
ton Of Indian relief society to insist that necessary
laws be passed by Congress with respect TO the
"what course would you suggest 2"
I'VE must begin win the reservations. Their title
ton I'm the country deed of trust should be given
to the head Of the department having charge Of In
dian affairs, conveying each reservation TO its In
dians forever, with u provision that for the next
century 1t could not be sold by them. and that no
the reservation who should prove themselves by
their industry. honesty and progress in every path
II you mako il hopeless for whites TO get possession
OF reservation and prove to the Indians II IL impos-
,n to eject them you A., ns very great cause Of
ress In the Indian territory proves this
rilAssrER TO wan DEPARTMENT..
''Thcn the Indian Department should be turned
TO the War Department. Troops needed ut
oil reservations 10 enforce and encourage labor What
In wanted IL the rigid system of accounts and uniform
army regulations In administration.
But would the army take an interest In Indian
afairs?"
''The same rivalry in improvements and comforts
that exists among post commanders would DO
witnessed ct the reservations Very soon you would
the Indians In comfortable houses built Of logs
the material ut hand. The Commissary Department
would replace the questionable traders stores.
and each tribe would be divided into farm
ers, herders, fishermen and hunters, and
signed to these duties under charge OF off,
Gers or hnc non-comnissioncd officers, such as
that one you can out there working thirty men.
This labor would bc regular and easy with holidays
and vacations in accordance with the customs OF the
tribc. Very you would the reservations
more than selfsupportng, and IL would be necessary
for the reservation commander to find markets tor
the surplus.
"Iiow could you compel the Indians to do this2"
.'The do soldiers. Let there bo
no punishmcnts without trial. Have code Of laws
like our rules and articles of war; try all offences
committed by Indians by mixed court of officers
aud chiefs. and let the United States Courts upon
complaint OF the commanding officer take charge OF
all offences committed by whites against Indians
giving the United States Attorney authority to bring