The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-12-12

giving them congenial employment under the
Government. 1t being matter of experience
that the Indians in our service, almost with
out exception, are faithful in the performance
of duties assigned to them, such an organIza-
tion would materially aid the army i'll the ac-
complishment of a task for which its numer-
zeal strength is sometimes found insufficient
But while the employment of force for the
p1e1bntion or repression of Indian troubles IS
of Occasional necessity, and that wise prepar-
atoms should be made to that end, greater re-
lance must be placed on humane and civiliz-
ing agencies for the ultimate solution of what
is called
THE "INDIAN PROBLEM"
II NAV be very difficult, and require much
patient effort, to curb the unruly spirit of the
hut ex perience shows that it is not impossible
Many Of the tribes who are now quiet and or
derby and self-supporting were once as savage
as any that at present roam the plains or on
the mountains of the far west, and were then
considered inaccessible to civilizing influences.
1t may be impossible to raise them fully up to
the level of the white population of the United
States, but we should not forget that they are
the aborigines of the country, and called the
soil their own which on our people
have grown rich powerful and happy. We
owe IL 10 UueIu as u lilOTdl uuty W
in attaining at least that degree of civilization
which they may be able to reach. 1t is not
only our duty but it is also our interest to do
so. Indians who have become agriculturalists
or herdsmen, and feel an interest in property,
will henceforth cease to be warlike and dis
turbing element. 1t is also well authenti-
Gated fact that Indians apt to be peaceable
anaA st when their children are at school,
and I am grstitied to know from expressions
of Indians themselves, and from many concur
ring reports, that there is steadily increas-
ing desire even among Indians belonging to
comparatively wild tribes, to have their chill
dren educated. | invite attention to the re-
ports of the secretary OF the interior and the
commissioner of Indian affairs touching the
experiment recently inaugurated in taking so
Indian children, boys and girls, from differ
ent tribes to the Hampton Normal Agricul-
tural Institute in Virginia, where they are to
receive an elementary English education and
training in agricultural and other useful work,
to be returned to their tribes after the COM
pleted course, as interpreters, instructors and
examples 1t is reported that the officer
charged with the selection of those children
might have had thousa ads of younglndians sent
with him had it been possible to make pro-
vision for them. l agree with the secretary of
the interior in saying that the result of this
interesting experiment, if favorable, may be
destined to become an important factor III
the advancement of civilization among the
Indians.
THE CHANGE IN THE INDIAN SERVICE.
The question whether change in control OF
the Indian service should be made was at last
session of Congress referred to committee for
inquiry and report. Without desiring to an
ticipate that report l venture to express a
hope that in the decision of SO important
xauestion, the views expressed above may not
'be lost sight of, and that the decision, what
ever it may be will arrest the further agita-
tida of this subject, such agitation being apt
toSproduce disturbing effect upon the SER
vice as well as on the Indians themselves.
THE HOT SPRINGS COMMISSION.
In the enrolment OF the bill making appro-
priations for sundry civil expenses at the last
session of Congress, that portion which pro-
vided for the continuation of the Hot Springs
commission was omitted. AS the commission
had completed the work of taking testi
mony on many conflicting claims the sus-
pension of their labors before determining the
rights of claimants, threatened for time to
embarrass the interest," not only of the gov
eminent, but also of a large number of citi
zens of Hot Springs who were waiting for
final action on their claims before beginning
contemplated improvements. In order to
prevent serious difficulties which were appre-
hended, at solicitation of many leading citi
zens of Hot Springs and others interested in
the welfare of the town, the secretary of the
interior was authorized to request the commits
sion to take charge of the records of their pro-
ceedings and to perform such work as could
properly be done by them under such circum-
stances to facilitate the future adjudication
of claims at an early date, and to preserve
the status of claimants until their rights
should be finally determined. The late COM
missioners complied with that request and
report that the testimony in all the cases has
been written out and so arranged as to facili
tate an early settlement when authorized by
law 1t is recommended that requisite au-
thority be given at as early u day III the ses-
sion as possible. and that fair compression
be allowed the late commissioners for expense
incurred and the labor performed by them
since the Goth of June last
THE PRESERVATION OF TIMBER ON PUBLIC
LANDS
II invite the attention of congress to the re-
Communications made by the Secretary OF the
Interior with regard to the preservation of tim
Der OF public lands Of the United States The
protection of public property Is one OF the nrst
Interior should therefore be enabled by Sun-
cient appropriations t. en- force the laws In that
respect; but this matter appears still more i'm
portant as Il question of public economy. Rapid
reduction of our forests Is an evil fraught viii
The gravest consequences, especial y in noun
tainous districts, where the rocky slopes once
denuded OF their trees, VIII remain SO Tor
paired. | fully concur with the secretary of
the Interior In the opinion that for this rea
son legislation touching the public timber In
the mountainous states and Territories of the
West should be especially well considered an
that existing laws In which the destruction Of