Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-11-19
THE INDIIN QUESTION.

NOVEMBER ii. ISIS.
TIE Honorable the Sscre'oryGf Var:
SIR:-In the report Of Lieut. Gen. sheridan.
dated october p. ISIS, which has been pub
lisEed in the newspapers ind the following
passage: The Indian situation at the pre,ea;
tine IS. ! am sorry to say, unsatisfactory. The
Indian department. owing to want OF sufficient
appropriation or flom wretched miomanage-
meHt. has given TO the settlements in the west
ern country constant anxiety during the last
year. and in some places loss OF life and loss or
property, attended with dreadful crimes and
clueltfeS. There has been an insufflcency OF
focd at the agencies and as the game is gone
hunger has made the Indians in some cases deS-
peiate, and almost any race Of men viii fight
rather than Starve. 1t seems 10 me. with wise
management, that the amounts appropriated by
Congress ought to be sufficient. If practically
applied to the exact purposes specified and If
the supplies are regularly delivered; but the
reports of the department commanders, for
WaTded herewith, would indicate different re-
suit. except in the case OF the Red Cloud and
Spotted Tail bands OF Sioux. who, although
threatening in their conduct. have been the
best supplied, and have been humored until in
creasing inSOlence constantly threatens to
bring about breach Of the peace had hoped
that the agencies of these Indians would have
been retained on the Missouri river. where
they could have been fed and looked after at
comparatively small expense; but this would
hot have suited traders ana contractors, who. |
fear. 1ab0reG Systematically last summer aud
fan to work up the result which has been ob-
tanned. now these Indians are on worse
III D.
Gated al points beyond the river lines Of trans
l;ortatiOn-for instance. Red Clouds band
Nhele the expense OF feeding VIII be probably
tiye times as great as on the Missouri river In
addition, these Indians are now located near
the line Of travel 10 the Black Hills. and are on
Tie extreme western limit Of their reservation
aid where contact with the whites is liable 10
frequently occur. and doubt il, in the present
name Ct Elind cf tie Red Cloud indians. the
lVo races can live 50 closely together without
fighting.
Tlpep Starpn7e,+, au far nc ,b,,- rn,o,.
upon tie conduct Of the indian service are of
weeping aud somewhat vague nature: but il
must be assumed that General Sheridan would
not haze made them and permitted them 10 he
come pubic had lie not III his possession specific
information concerning certain agencies and
certain branches Of the Indian service 70
which those statements may be individually
applied. General Sheridan in an Official d0cjl-
hent gives ii as his opinion thai with wis,
management the amounts appropriated by CON
2lesS ought TO be Sufficient. if practically ap-
piled TO The exact purposes S1eciied;' but that
the reports oi the department commanders
would Indicate different result. except in tie
case CT tie Red Cloud and Spotted Tail bands of
80 uN. He would certainly not have expressed
such an opinion without being acquainted in
detail with the appropriations made by CON
Cless and the specific purposes for which tney
were intended. il is also 20 Oe supposed that
befC1e making the sweeping charge above
Quoted he was cognzant Of specific eases ia
which those appropriations were either not ap-
pied al all, or diverted from the purpose
intended by Congress. You Will greatly
oblige ne by reqe5ting Genene.al Sheridan
10 communicate 10 me such facts as may
agents. dates and other circumstances which
warrant a charge. which includes all Indian
agencies in tie military division OF the Missouri
except those Of The Ped Cloud and spotted Tail
Sioux. 1t has been my constant and earnest
enGeavor. since entered upon my presen;
duties TO correct all abuses III the Indian ser
vice that come To my knowledge, and General
Sheridan, 10y furnishing such specific inf0rrl2-
ti0n would thereby render q greater service to
this department as well as 70 the Indians than
by mere general statements. As he has put
justly te Cai!ed Tor. make this request with
particular urgency. in view OF the Tact, that
certain military officers seem Of late TO have
fallen into the habit CT indulging. officially and
publicly. III general reflections on the Indian
service without taking the IChble OF substan-
tiaJing them with Sucn statements in detail as
would Facilitate lie discovery and corrar,;on
OF abuses. Go not deprecaJe criticism
at al; rather invite IT, But when ii
70 NE, a certain iairness.due from one branch OF
tie public SerTtce tC another. | should for i'll
stance. rot deem any officer OF this department
justified in blaming in general terms the army
for its failure 10 intercept tae runaway Chey-
ennes OH their march. Of several hundred miles
through Kansas and Nebraska and across the
Union Pacific railroad, without being able to
point out certain instances Of acknowledgement
or neglect. II such instances had come to the
knowledge Of this department. which they have
not. | should have considered il due to the army
that they be specifically aScertained and stated
before iIdulging in a general arraignment. |
think II is not asking too much, in the interest
OF the public service. that such rule be OBJ
served by officers OF the army likewise ! bey
leave 10 make the same request for specific
information in regard 10 the report of General
Gibhon, recently published, which contains the
statement that there is an entire absence OF
responsibility in the Indian service. Ii General
Gibton, when writing his report, was cognizant
OF Specl1lc cases OF wrong doing he would have
obliged the departments by reporting them: and
rot been inquired into. and guilty persons held
10 theif proper responsibility. the sweeping
statements contained in his report would be ac-
cepted as justified. Ii he viii communicate
such specific information now. lie will find that
ihere Is no Such lack CT responsibility as he al
legeS. Several employees In the Indian service
Who are now under criminal prosecution, have
discovered this at their cost.
Permit lie few words OF comment on Gen
sheridans remarks concerning the removal OF
The Red Cloud and spotted Tail agencies from
the Missouri river TO the western part OF the
sioux reservation. That location OF these agen-
cies on the Missouri river would have been N Dre
convenient for transportation is well known
ECt ii WONlG not have been asking too much of
cen. Sheridan to inform himself litt!t be;terof
the real circumstances CT tie case. before giving
you and The pubIc. in an Official document TO
understand that The adoption of a different
course was OWN" 10 a systematic working ND
OF the case" by TRADERS and contractors" The
policy OF permitting the Red Cloud and Spotted
Iall Sioux to select for themselves the location
or their agencies On any part OF their reSerya-
uon they might choose, was somewhat reluct-
antly assented to by this department and prom
ised by the President on the earnest representa-
ton and advice OF an army officer OF excellent
feputat1on-GeEeral CrOOl-NnO took an active
rart in the council held by The President with
a numerous delegation OF Sioux chiefs in this
city last year. General Crook, who is generally
esteemed a true friend and an intelligent and
successful manager Of Indians, In peace as well
as war. opposed any policy forcing the Sioux
against their unanimous and emphatic protest,
to stay on the Missouri river, as seri,
ouSly endangerlng our peaceful relations
with those powerful tribes. This advice was
acted upon to avoid another conflict with the
Sioux, and SO far. at least, their loyal conduct
seems TO have justified the course adopted. In
accordance with the agreement arrived at i'm
the council above mentioned, the Sioux went to
the Missouri last year to receive their supplies,
ard then this year occupied the locations chosen
by themselves. This is the understanding of
this affair current among those who had an ac
tive part in it. Ii Gen. Sheridan has evidence
in his possession 10 show that it was all owing
TO a systematic working up" on the part of
TRADERS and contractors and not to an earn
est consideration by the President and the Sec
felary OF TIE interior or Gen Crooks advice he
VIII greatly oblige me by communicating it
through you TO this department.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
&. SCHURZ, secretary.
GEN. GRANT AT GIBRALTAR.-The Y. Y Her
dtds special correspondent at Gibraltar tele-
graphed sunday evening"! General Grant
was cordially received here. In company with