Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1880-12-09
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
Annual Report of Secretary Schurz-Re-
view of His Four Years Administration
Recommendations for the Future.
Washington Telegram, 1st:)

~~~~~ SeAS
interior gives review, not only of the
past year, but of the four years of his ad-
ministration. The larger part is reported
devoted to Indian affairs. In his opening
chapter upon this subject the secretary gives
an explanation of the important change
which has taken place with regard to the
reservation system. He says, although at
first accepting, as he found it, the reserVa-
tion policy which had SO long been followed
by the Indian Office, more extensive obser-
vation of the matter gradually convinced
him this was mistaken policy-that it
would be better for the Indians, and more in
accordance with justice, as well as wise ex-
pedienCy, to respect their home attachments,
to leave them upon the lands they occupied,
provided such lands were capable of yielding
them sustenance by agriculture or pastoral
practice of introducing among them the
habits and occupations of civilized life on
the ground they inhabited. In view
reservations, against the pressure of white
immigration and settlement would in course
of time become impracticable, q different
policy has been followed, having for its o.
ject the settlement of Indians upon lands in
their lands not required for this purpose,
and gradually to prepare the way fer their
final incorporation into the body polite as
independent and self relying men, invested
with all the rights which other inhabitants
of the country possess. The results already
accomplished in pursuance of this policy
and the promising outlook in the same di-
rection are described in general terms and
tod koE1d In Of
gress made by individual tribes.
During the present administration the
agricultural labor of the Indians has been
more than doubled in quantity and value.
The figure show that the civilized and un-
civilized tribes together cultivated last year
1927 acres of land, or about ~ acres to
each man, woman and child, upon an esti-
mate that the total Indian population of the
country is 25O,OOO. Secretary schurz ex-
presses firm belief that the agricultural in
dustry of the Indians would be greatly
stimulated, and its product much increased,
if assurance were given to them that
they will be secure in the posssssiaF
of their lands. The secretary in subsequent
part of the report calls especial attention to
the bill already submitted by him to Con-
gress, which provides for division of farm
.heir respective reservations, the issuance of
patent, to them Individually and their invest
ment with the fee simple title to their farms
and homes, and hopes it will receive early
consideration in Congress. The secretary
continues: 81 desire also to call attention
once more to the bill repeatedly introduced
into Congress, extending over the
Indian reservations the jurisdiction
of the courts Of States or Ter
ritories in which such reservations
are located, giving Indians such standing in
court and securing for them the full benefit
of the laws. venture to express hope
that Congress may not adjourn without
having taken some action upon these inn
portant measures, SO essential to the pro-
gress and security of our Indian wards"
Continuing his account Of the clvilizing
agencies employed by the present admins
tration, the secretary mentions, next to
agricultural pursuits, the introduction of
freighting and mechanical pursuits
among the Indians; he says
last years experience of employing Indians
as freighters with their own ponies, has
proved to be one of the most benefcient in
novations ever made in Indian manage
ment. Nearly 1000 freight wagons have
been in use by Indians this year with re-
suit of saving considerable money to The
government, compared with the amounts
formerly paid for the same transportation
(of supplies, etc., to the agencies), besides
furnishing civilizing and welcome employ
ment to large number of otherwise reck-
less Indians
The number of Indian youth learning
trades in workshops at the agencies has in
creased from 1876 last autumn to 358 this
year. The policy of employing Indians as
workmen and even as foremen and machinists
at agencies, has been continued and extended
with great success. Brick making has been
begun. Houses for Indians are now almost
exclusively built by Indians themselves. The
aptitude shown by Indians for mechanical
work has in many cases been surprising
and is considered deserving every possible
announcement. The expressions of anxious
desire on the part of Indians belonging to
the so-called wild tribes to have their chill
dren instructed in the ways of civilized life
have, it is stated, grown so numerous and
urgent that the inadequacy of the means
placed at the disposal of the department for
the purpose has become par
ticularly painful. The desire and
purpose of the department is to
largely increase the present small twenty in
dustrial boarding schools for Indian youth,
as the day schools at agencies do not with
draw the pupils from the influences of home
surroundings sufficiently to facilitate a
change in their whole daily life.
| The report next mentions another i'm
portant civilizing agency largely introduced
under the present administration, the organ
izstion of police force of Indians, which
have been put in operation at forty agencies
The force now consists of 1872 officers ant
653 privates. Its benefits, both as mean
of obtaining good order, and as moral in
fiuence upon the Indian tribes, amon
whom it has been established, are set fort
as worthy of special notice.
Looking at the present condition of thing
it may be said without exaggeration, that ol
the whole the Indian situation is now more
hopeful than ever before. The desire Of tn
Indians to maintain friendly relations witt
their white neighbors, to 60 to work TO
their own support, to cultivate soil, to &C
quire permanent homes, to have their chill
dren educated, and to assimulate themselve
to the civilization of the country, is growing
stronger and more general every day.
Secretary Schurz remarks that experienc
has strengthened his conviction, which, a
this is his last report, he feels at greater lib
erty to express-that the management Q
Indian affairs should continue to be intrust
ed to the civil and not the military branc
of public service. His argument on thi
topic has been fully foreshadowed in forme
annual reports. He again quotes with EN-
phasis the conclusion Of the report OF To
peace commission of 1878, signed by Gent
Sherman, Harvey, Terry and Augur, i
which these distinguished Officer
of the army among othe
things said, in purport: eff "
intend to have war with them, the Indian
of the United States, the Indian burea
should go the secretary of war. IF We il
} tend to have peace it should be in civ
department"
Idesire to say tnat il mas not been tt
5 purpose Of this department under my az
administration, while avoiding unnecessar
outlays of money, to cut down expense
) merely for the purpose of making strikir
exhibition Of economy. The history of II
, dian AFFAIRS shows that i'll Judged parsime
ny has brought frequent trouble and ver
costly complications. ann now convince
that generous appropriations for agricultt
; raj implements, for stock cattle to
distributed among the Indians, and for edr