The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-31

been" Instead of thousands neediessy slain there
would be with to-day race of men and women in
mind and physique equalled by few. il any. of the
races people who have come to our shores Gas to
The proposition that 100000 men. women and
children out of possible $4,000, 900 must be gov
erncd and controlled by the military arm of this
great nation seems absurd, aud to the European
savant is source Of much comment and ridicule
whenever he alludes to our institutions
A TEMPORARY CONTROL.
That we have among these .2500O0 Indians
some unruly tribes is lamentable fact. and
attention Of Congress. We are Of the opinion that
in such special cases the military should
have temporary control. and that the Presi-
unruly tribes under military discipline, the same
he would city or State. terrorzed by mob law or
revolution. Ii the officers and soldiers of gal
liant army bring order out of chaos and redeem the
savage and make peaceful and industrious citizen
of him. their praises will doubtless be sung by every
lover of peace and justice. 1t is proposed by your
committee to submit bif embciying these views.
and it is to be hoped that Congress will take early
of the Indians remains where it ia is relegaed to
the War Department. The general system of reform
and improvement should continue, and among the
most important things commanding immediate at
tenton is to provide that the civil law of the United
States be extended all Indians who win agree
thereto, with code OF laws applicable to them. de-
nng crime and providing Judiciary. especially in
what is known the Indian Territory In the opin-
ion of the committee such legislation is mperativey
needed. and time ought to be lost in making the
necessary provisions therefor.
INDIAN AGENT.
The Indian agent to be the objective point to
which all those opposed to the present policy OF the
government point in scorn and derision. They as
sert that "lndjsn agent is synonymous with fraud
and corruption" The committee made diligent in
quiry into the present system OF conducting the
rule the agent is sinned against than SHINING.
There are now seventy-four agents employed and at
every opportunity as we learn. the de.
by consolidation of agencies and lessen
ing Of reservations. where it can be done
with justice to the tribes. The work OF reform in
this branch of the service should continue in good
earnest and the services of the very best men as
agents be procured and fair and living compensa-
ton be allowed that the agent may be placed above
want and temptation. a. well as to compensate them
for their estrangement from more congena walks Of
hfe The salaries OF Indian agents should be moro
liberal than now. Few men who are both competent
and honest AFFORD to travel thousands OF miles to
honestly for the pitance Of 1900 per snnum. Men
of integrity who are competent to administer the
affairs Of the Indian agency successfully can in most
cases, lager salaries at lesa sacrifice
nearer their hoiaes. The salary should be
large enough to employ honorable men Of
decided executive ability and to enable them
to take their families with them to their
agencies and to support them there The pay ought
to be more liberal and the tenure OF their office
should be secure for term of years, provided the
agent should prove worthy. The laws providing for
the punishment Of wrongdoers in this branch OF the
service ought to be exceedingly severe. The guilty
should be punished with unmistakable earnest
ness that will convince all others of the firm purpose
Oh .he ar that are hn I
suits felt. the Commissioner of indian Affairs
tcsties there has not been single dcfalcaon under
the present administration.
THE QUESTION COST.
The question of economy is next considered The
signers of the report after expressing their opinion
that it should by supersede the considera-
ton of questions of humanity and the progressive
civilization Of the Indians say they cannot find any
good ground for the common statement that the War
Department is any more economical and efficient
than the Interior Department in the purchase of
supplies and their transportation. 1t is found that
both departments have excellent systems. and that
both have made great improvements of late years.
The improvement in the management of the Indian
Bureau said to be especially marked. The present
system Of business is pronounced very effective and
the organization Of the Office il considered complete
enough to be bar to all outside irregularities.
The remainder of the report tomitting long
extract from the utterance of the Peace Commission
of 1868 10 as follows:-
THE RESERVATIONS.
There are at present LAB reservations, comprising
$50 1876. Tl5 acres of Hard. Your committee are OF
opinion that there are TOO many reservations and
that the number should be rapidly lessened. The
smaller bands of Indians who decline to take land in
severalty and also refnse to become citizens.
In this connnection your committee would
suggest that the present large reservations
the Canada line ought to be set apart by the govern
permanent reservation for all those Northern
|
der this system OF consolidation The Northern tribes
should not be moved South nor those of the South
portion of our country to the Northern rcserva-
tons. Humanity dictates this course. for 1t appears
that attempts at accliating those from the North in
the Southern reservations have proved failure.
These l43 reservations scattered twelve
States and nine Territories. number of them are
in the midst of civilization, and the lands
therein should be taken BY the tribes occupying
allotted and the permanent title thereto given with
the precaution provided that he is not despoiied Of
30 1ax
enacted which will virtually prevent the Indians from
selling disposing OF their lands and houses to
sharp and designing for not less than twenty
five years.
A SEPARATE DEPARTMENT.
1t has been frequently urged by many OF those who
have given the Indian problem much attention and
long study that the entire of the Indians
ought to be placed under separate and distinct de-
partment the chief which should be member of the
Cabinet. your committee coincide with such views,
and deem that this branch of our government Is OF
such Importance that its chief officer ought to be in
O position to have direct communication with he
President. If he be member of the Cabinet he can
ut all times gain to the President and advise
and counsel with Chief Magistrate to the well
fare of the Indians. In times OF peace neither the
War Navy Department have 30 much complicated
business Is comes under the indian bureau. Your
ton this subject but do wish to cali the attention
of Congress to its Importance. with the hope that IL
the future some change may be made that will
give the to this great and grave national
question that its importance demands. We think 1t
and welfare OF the country, and that it should be
given rank in the executive branch that is commen-
surate with its Importance. This Is due alike to the
Indian and the white man.
CpxclrpISu RECOMMENDATION.
Your committee have carefully considered all the
data, testimony and arguments submitted to them
and have made much personal inquiry. They found
advocates both sides Of the question: to all
Of whom patient hearing given. Your com
mittee think that the President should be empowered
in the of actual threatened hosttltcs to pace
e tribe tribes that may be hostile or unmansgc-
allie under the control of the military. to remain so
until permanent peace Is assured. We think that
the Sioux might be placed under such control ut
once and thus avoid war. which is being con-
tinually threatened by these Indians. Your commit
tee of the opinion that the reservations
should be decreased. and that rapidly Us
possible the small tribes or parts Vt tribes be
placed the large reservations. unless they take
land in severdty do away with their tribal relations
aud prepare for civil patton.
We are OF opinion that the Indian Bureau should
he distinct department, with the chief member OF
the Presidents Cabinet. This will aid much In the
solution of future complications in Indian affairs.
The Indian should be protected in his rights To his
land. aud safeguards ought TO I've thrown around him
l l.t.t t