Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-01-27
THE INDIAN BUREAU.
Report of Commission On Transfer,

| WASHINGTON, January 20. The report Of
the four members of the joint committee APP
pointed by congress at the last session, to
take into consideration the expediency Of
transferring the management of Indian Affairs
from the interior to the war department, who
favor the transfer, is just completed BY Rep
resentative Boone of KY, and will be sub
mtted to the House at the first opportunity.
The principal features of the document are
as follows:
The history Of our management and treat
ment Of Indians in q shame and modification
to all right thinking and liberal minded men.
Hence It is not strange that grave complaints
have arisen in the public mind upon this Ques-
ton, and loud demand made everywhere that
these grevious wrongs be redressed.
A proper solution Of the Indian problem
demands immediate attention of congress
and cannot with either safety to the Indians
or honor to the government be longer defer
red. Our wrongful treatment of them 10 CO.
equal with our existence, though not to the
same extent in earlier and purer days - 1t
present. During all the years past, COM
plants have been made of violated pledges,
promises and lack Of efficient and responsible
management, and to such an extent have
fraud and peculation crept into the manage
ment Of Indian affairs, and so glazing and
shameful have these frauds become, that in
dignant public attention will not longer look
on with Inconsistencies, but demands that
these matters be looked into, and that q pol
icy be adopted which will conform with the
dignity and character of our government, and
secure at the same time full and ample justice
to suffering and outraged people.
That these wrongs and abuses do now ex-
list, and to fearful extent, we think no one
at all acquainted with the facts will deny. II
proof upon this point is ever wanted or de-
manded, we have but to refer to the state
ments Of all those who have investigated the
question, and to those most familiar with our
present management, and to those who are
strenuous advocates Of the present system,
and who ask its continuation and seem to be-
lieve in its ultimate success, very impor-
tant question arises here as to causes OF
wrongs and Encouragement.
Is 1t the wicked purpose on the part Of the
government to want only and cruelty inflict
injury upon the helpless and defenceless In
dians? We DO not so believe. II not 30, then
it follows thar the defect lies in the system
adopted in the management of Indian afairs,
connected with the inefRciency, or dishones-
ty, or both of them, who are charged with
carrying out Of the details of the system. To
go back into the history of the question, it
will be found that systematic management
has always been virtually the system now in
vOge. Even when it was nominally under
the war department, prior to 1919, it was very
much the same as now. Whatever failure or
wrongs have been charged, our management
in the past is justly chargable to the present
system, and whatever success has attended
that management, should be credited TO that
system.
Year after year large amounts Of money
have been expended, with a view to civilixing
these people. Failure is written upon every
page Of past history of our efforts in this di-
rection.
The Inauguration of the "peace policy" in
1868, by President Grant, in the opinion Of
the undersigned, was the virtual admission
that the Indian bureau was incapable Of the
proper conduct Of Indian affairs, and was
compelled to degate much Of its authority to
other hands.
From the slow progress mvde in civilizing,
educating and Christianizing Indians, to
which your committee had their attention
called, while amongst them last fall, there 10
no doubt We should try some method of deal
ing with this question, different from that
now in vogue. - s-.-.
The glowing accounts Of the rapid strides
of the Indians in the way of civilization, are
not borne out by facts. Shameful irregulari-
ties in sross frauds have crept into every
branch of the service. No one 10 found who
has the hardihood to deny that the history Of
such frauds is visible on every page of Indian
management for the last score or more Of
years. Indeed, so fragrant are these frauds,
and SO defiant have their preparation be-
come, that il appears a notorious fact that
ring exists, composed of contractors, employ.
ers of human and wealthy and influential per-
sons outside, whose object is to swindle and
defraud both the government and the.In-
dians.
The opinions of the undersigned that these
frauds will forever exist, even with more vig-
liant and scrupu!ous honesty brought into the
management, because we believe method or
system Of that department inadequate 70 the
present fraud, however the head Of the Once
may be, and for the reason that the system Of
accountability in the department 10 not close
enough to detect corruption.
We are asked the very pertinent question
whether or not the same abuse and frauds
would be practiced, if the management should
be transferred to the war department. We
think not, for few very plain and obvious
reasons, to wit: Whatever else may be said
of our army officers, they are, ~ class Of
men, of high honor and strict integrity. Their
training has impressed these high qualities
upon them, and their associations require
their constance. Every officer in the army 10
a check upon every other Office, and such il
the system Of accountability that il il nearly,
if not quite impossible for an ofncer to act
dishonesty, without being detected, and upon
being detected, punishment follows swiftly
and surely.
With civil agents this is not the csse.
They are appointed generally Is partixans,
and for q limited time, subject to removal at
ony time are paid small small salaries, and
can only hope to hold their position : short
L.. ~ - H.
ments to act honestly and fairly that srmy
officers have.
THE PLAGUE IN RUSSIA.