The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-12-04

countered in sending supplies from the Mis-
souri, river to the new agencies, in conse-
quence of q combination of trans
portation contractors to force the
government TO pay exorbitant
prices. Their bids were rejected and an or
ganization Of wagon trains To be manned by
Indians with their ponies, proceeded with.
The task was difficult one, owing to the
character OF the country and the circum-
stance that the grass had been burned off tho
plains between the Missouri river and new
agel cies, as rumor has it, by evil disposed
persons to bring about the failure Of this ex-
pertinent. But it has SO far been sue
cessful.
In regard to the outbreak of Bannocks
last spring, Secretary Schurz says it must be
admitted that they were insutfciently sup
piled with food, which, however, was owing
to an appropriation of money by Congress
utterly inadequate to their wants. The money
available for feeding them amounted only to
less than four and one-half cents per head
per day. This created discontent among
them, when the murder of white man was
committed by an Indian. The Indian was
arrested, tried and hung. The discomfort
grew into excitement. A military detach-
ment attempt, d to disarm them but with
only partial success, and finally the outbreak
took place.
AS regards the outbreak of 300 northern
Cheyennes, the secretary corroborates the
statements heretofore made by the commits
toner's of Indian affairs in special report on
this subject, showing that it was not caused
by hunger nor by any neglect on the part of
government officials to furnish them sup
plies according to treaty, but that on the
contrary they received ample supplies and
more than they were entitled to.
Secretary Schurz adds: While in many
other instances Indian outbreaks are trace
able to treatment they received at the hands
OF whites, it appears from information quoted
that in this case the outbreak was owing
to the mlschievous spirit of the head
men among the Indians themselves, and their
determination to return northward to their
old hunting grounds. Nearly all those run
away Cheyennes have been captured or have
surrendered and are now held prisoners by
the military authorities. In the interest of
general discipline, and in order to show the
Indians that nothing can be gained by such
disorderly conduct, it is thought best to re-
turn them to their reservation in the Indian
Territory, after having given the civil au-
thorities of the State of Kansas an opportun-
ity to identify those who committed murders
and other crimes while passing through that
State, so that they nay be dealt with accord
ing to law.
Secretary sohurz strongly defends the
action of the department and special agents
ct the department., regarding timber depreda-
tons, and says. eve cannot close our eyes to
the fact that anything like complete success
in suppressing unlawful practices is possible,
unless the efforts made by this department
for the protection of public property meet
with hearty CO operation on the part of leg
islative branch of the government. Actual
experience enables mo to say that want of
such cooperation has been, and will always
be, an encouragement to depredators to per-
sist in their lawless operations, and to defy
the authori:iss.'' The secretery recommends
such legislation as will preserve and enlarge
the timber bearing lands of the country.
Gen. Sherman, in an interview, has the
following to say upon the subject of the
transfer of the Indian bureau to the war de-
partment, about which there promises to be
sucn bitter fight this winter: "Such
transfer would entail a great deal Of extra
responsibility and care on the ar
my, and consequently it is not
desired. The whole matter, how
ever, rests on this roposition-either the
Indian bureau must come to the war depart
ment or the army must be turned over to
the interior department. to protect the In
dian bureau. The protection of this bureau
is not the sole duty of the army, as is claim
ed by the interior. Such protection is sim
ply an incidental duty of the army. The
present plan of operation is costly one.
Here we had built Fort Sill, at an expense of
about $4,000, to keep the Kiowas quiet and
permit Indian agents to unmolestedly draw
their salaries, when the Indians were re-
moved, and now it is desired to move the
fort also. It is not SO easy to take up fort
and plant it here and there at the whims of
any set of men. 1t is, besides, costly OK
pertinent, and may be said to be
q plan to cost the war depart
ment hundred thousand dollars worth of
property in order that an Indian Office agent
may peacefully and safely draw his salary of
$1,000 or $1,000 q year. This Fort Sill
business is only one instance Of the policy
which is likely to involve loss to the gov
eminent of millions, not to speak of its ef-
feet in making army officers the peripatetic
police of civil Indian agents, who are in
many cases selected for no other reason than
that of political expediency. say police.
Indian warefare is peculiar. You cannot
head off these Indians on the plains with any
more certainty than you can find and catch
particular vessel on the high seas. The
Indian Office practices its peculiar policy on
the Indian, and when he INDUCES in an
outbreak it begs the army to protect it. AZ
ter the army, at the sacrifice of life and
money, restores peace, and puts the Indian
back on his reservation, the question is
naturally put to the Indian agent: what
are you going to do now?' and his answer is:
4 want you to stay around here for awhile
and protect me- This the army does till,
after season, the Indian seems quiet, the
troops leave, and the red men break out
again, when the play must be re-enacted.
The Indian Office cannot control the Indians;
the army can. One has not the power: the
other has"
An Extraordinary Murder.
Cincinnati Special Nov. ~ to Chicago Trib-
une.
4 q,l. vrY-