The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-02-13
WHAT SHALL BE DONE WITH
THE INDIAN BUREAU!

grew up uuueF CEc dUllllul6bFdClOu VI 1nul8U
affairs by military officers, and, notwithstand-
ing the reformatory legislation of March 3,
1S47, they continued to grow up to the last
hour in which the War Department had con-
troll Of the Indian population, and SO little
had been done toward Indian civilization un-
der the War Departments management that
public opinion had acquiesced in the assump-
ton that the Indians were not susceptible to
civilization: 1t is estimated that if all the
nghtlng Indians OF the country could be got
together they would not muster more than
!o,OOo, and the idea OF their ever concentrating
ior Warilke purposes is simply preposterous,
because 1t Is Impossible. Indian wars on a
large scale are over, and We may reasonably
nope tnat That portion OF our National history
Is IN the past.
,. IN reference 10 the sentiments OF the IN
ulaus, on Inc suD]ect, the secretary OF the IN
.erlor maze 10 the committee statements CIV
ing the views and Votes OF the various tribes,
which gives an average vote Of sixteen to one
against transfer, nearly All the tribes being
UNANIMOUSLY opposed to the proposition. All
tne rell&lons denominations IN this country
are absolutely opposed to the proposed change
OF management. Their opinions and behests
deserve anG should receive respectial ce n So
Grafton. That we have among the 10000
ihulans some unruly trloes Is lameLtaole
1acs, ana TO this your committee would re-
spectiully can the attentlon OF congress. we
are Oh OPINION mat IN such special cases the
miItary should have temporary control, and
rua! Tue rresiuent nave power 10 place s9ch
warnhe OF unruly trlDes under military dls-
SipnMe, tne same as ne would city or
state Ierrorlzed by mob-law or revolu-
ZION. 1nat tne 1nolans can DC Angio-Sax'
onlzed is proven beyond all cavll in the
case OF the Wlnnebagoes and Omaaas,
who reside on reservations in the State of
Nebraska. They live in comfortable houses,
nave good barns, cultivate their land and raise
as good wheat, corn and potatoes as are pro-
duced through the labor OF any white man.
They have churches and schools, and no more
orderly community can be found than on
these two reservations. They are petitioling
to become citizens, question of such vital
importance in their case that it must soon be
solved. 1s it necessary to put these people
under military management! We think not.
Whether the management of the Indians re-
mans where 1t is or is relegated 10 the War
department., general system OF reform and
improvement should continue, and among the
most important things commanding imme-
diate attention is to provide that the civil law
dams who viii a~ree thereto with H code al -. nf
laws annlicahla tG them Sefn; % or;n,o o on -
providing a judiciary. especiaiIv in what Is
known rs the Indian Tcrr;torv """' 40
In the oninion nf the committee snch ,euis-
lation is imnerative,v needed. and M time
ought to he lost IN making the necessary
provisions therefor The indian AGENT seem !
objective nOinf
opposed to the present policv of the Gov.
eminent noint in scorn and der;s;on Thev
assert that the Indian AGENT ia svnonvmons
with "fraud and corruntion. The com.
mittec made diligent inquiry into the nres-
ent system of Conducting the agencies, and
Agent is more sinned against than shining.
There are now seventy-four Agents employed,
aud at every opportunity, as We learn. the De.
partInent proposes to reduce this number by
the consolidation of agencies and lessening of
reservations where it can be done with Justice
to the tribes. Men of integrity, who are com
petent to administer the affairs of an Indian
agency successfully. can. in most cases. get
larger salaries at less sacrifice nearer their
homes. The salary should be large enough
to employ honorable men of decided execu.
tive ability, and to enable them to take their
families with them to the agencies, and to
support them there. The pay ought to be
more liberal, and the tenure Of Office should
be secure for four wears. nrovided the AGENT
should prove worthy.
Inc laws providing Tor the punishment Of
W mIInguoers IN tnls Drancn OF service ought
10 oe exceedingly severe. The guilty should
Oe punlsnea Win an unmlstakable earnestr
ness mat VIII convince all others OF the firm
purpose OF the government. We are assured
mat TINS policy has been inaugurated, and
T tnat aireaoy the good suits are felt. as the
commissioners OF Indian Affairs testifes that
there has not been a single defalcation under
inc present Administration.
Inc committee say they cannot find any
goo0 ground 1Or the common statement that
the war Department is any more economical
and efficient than the Interior Department in
ton. 1t is found that both Departments have
excellent systems, and that both have made
g gre Improvements y; OF late years The i'm
tAO'SAAASAV IL oAO ududSCAucut u TIC 4uuldLl
system Of business is pronounced very effect
i've, and the organization of the office is con-
s;derea complete enough to be bar to all out
Yonr csmm ie. are Of onin,on that tho res.
ervations should be decreased. and that. as
rapidly as possibly, small tribes or parts of
t t[aDes De placed on large reservations, unless
tribal reatons and nrennre 10 for
We are Of opinion that the Indian Bureau
should be distinct department, with the
This "a, me zen o. tne RESIDENTS Cabinet
complications in indian effeirs ITO o. IS;an
should be protected in his rights to his land.
and safeguard ought to be thrown around
inh;S SO IS h;s 70 prevene deslgning persons from
it for trilinr comnensation H. shn,,' ~ sci ne,
have the right to sell his land, without the
consent of the Department, under twenty zone
'e Ynmr committee c.r d,soovor mt o os
wbV the one
good to the red men wouid resn ia' from tha
Change, and that no possible advantage could
result to the Government from it.
.ha dour com ON are, therefore, OF opinion
Bureau to the War Departme et4'' 'Ne Anu'an
The report ia accomnan;ed nv a.h;n
authorizino the President tn 8. tyansfa,.
the custodT. control and manaoamont
of anv Indian tribes from the intar;nr
to the War Denartment temnorar; ~
whenever. in his iudoment he sha1i
deem e advisable To 10 % e;th.,. ~,
acconnt Of actnai or annrehendad hos
tilities of Indians aoa;nst tho TTn;tod
States. or in case of difficnlt;es between
such indians and settlers." The bin
fnrtho,- ,,ro,,o.o. ~ s,+hcr;,o ~ D..
; ;9a proposes 70 aetnorlze the Pres
OooA0 u 0no a NY