New-York tribune., 1880-01-09
AN ANIMATED MEETING.
RETURN TO EARLIER AND BETTER METHODS
GREATLY DESIRED AND ADVOCATED.


Board of Indian Commissioners began here this
morning. Besides the members of the Board there
present at the morning session the representa-
tIves of the different missionary bodies which are
engaged In the work of cylizng tho Indians and
on whose nomination many of the Indian agents re-
ceiye their appointment. The Protestant Episcopal
and Roman Catholic mission boards were not rep
resented to-day. The Commissioner Of Indian
Affairs was present.
The representatives Of one branch of the Society
OF Friends and the Rev. DR.. Alden secretary of the
American Board. both enlarge on the untoward in
fucnce cxerted on the Indans under their care by
constant fear Of the loss of present homes and of
removal to strange reservations. DR.. Alden spoke
strongly in regard to the case Of the Santee Sioux
who, he said, are now fully prepared for citizen
ship. ard who, if they could be assured permanent
possession of their homes and full protection under
the laws, would form valuable community.
The representatives. of the two Baptist Boards,
whose work is mainly in the Indian Territory,
spoke Of the unrest among the pa,tially civilized
tribes there caused by fear that the Territory to
be thrown open to settlement by white men.
The Rev. Mr. Morehouse, of the American Baptist
Board d the feeling of restlesSness is the strong
est obstacle to improvement among these people.
lie declared that the feeling has now taken a
form that NAV become extremely dangerous. The
tribes of the Territory are beginning TO count up
their numbers and estimate the resources they can
bring into action to resist by physical force any
attempt to wrest their lands from them.
A resolution was adopted requesting the Secre-
tary Of the Interior to ask Congress for au appro-
priaton to be expended for educational purposes in
Alaska. 1t is understood that ttis resolution was
prepared with the approval of the Secretary. Be-
a., bia ltttf xVo oil tod
general discussion during which it was suggested
by Dr. Lowre and others, that the Board ought to
devote its efforts to securing some general provision
for the education of all the Indian youth. The need
of such provision has long been felt. and at the
last meeting plans to that end were discussed.
Two other means Of civilization which were dis
cu.scd and upon which formal expression of Opin-
ion was made at the last annual meeting. briefly
adycrtcd to this morning; and both will probably
receive further attention before the session closes.
These are the bringing Of all Indians under the pro-
lection of tho civil laws and making them subject
thereto and some provision for the allotment of
lands to Indians in seyeralty.
FRIENDLY WORDS FOR THE UTFs.
Some interesting facts respecting the Utes were
brought out In the remarks of the Rev Dr. Shippen,
of the Unitarian Society, the Rev. DR.. Jackson, who
resides in Colorado. and Mr.. and Mrs. Danforth.
Mr. Danforth was for four years the Indian agent
at White River, his immediate successor bong the
late " G. Mcekcr Both DR.. Jackson and Mr.. Dan
forth. who know the Utes Intimately, insisted that
the character of the latter is wickedly misrepre-
sentcd by the press and people of Colorado gener-
ally. Mr.. Danforh said that in the four years dur
ing which he lived among the Utes he felt that he
was in no danger from them As Indians there were
among the men few rough characters just as there
Al. .Iar 6
wife had often been left alone the reservation
without fear of danger. Only once in four years.
time, did he a drunken Indian. and his wife laid
her hand on the shoulder of that one and babe him
go and lie down until he was sober. and the Indian
obcyed. It's entirely wrong. Mr.. Danforth thinks
70 hold the Utcs as tribe responsible for the acts
of few desperate men.
Dr. Jackson said that on the day fthe outbreak at
the agency he with one companion was riding over
"A part OF the reservation. He was not moleSted
When the ThOrnburgh battle was fought there were
hundreds of prOspcctors and miners on the Ute
Reservation, scattered singly or in small groups
and entirely at the mercy Of the Indians. None Of
these PEOPLE were harmed, although they were in
truGers on the reservation. The savages molested
no one" said Dr. Jackson, 8" except the troops and
the persons whom they held responsible for bring
ing the troops 10 the agency Now the civilized
white people want to butcher or drive from their
homes whole tribe for the acts of few of it's
members"
Dr. Shippen said People demand that Ouray
shall deliver up the persons who were guilty of the
murders. and accuse him of bad faith because he
does not | think that if his Excellcucy. President
IIayes. who is the head of 1000, 900 of people,
were to try to deliver to the Utcs white men who
had been guilty of wrongs upon the tribe he would
,,,..oaI no haitian than 'hicf OuraVv
MIR. HAYT CRITICISED.
In the course of his remarks DR.. Shlppen, In a
iplit of commendable frankness and in the pres
,ncc of Mr.. Hayt, c"s"ribcd instance of the want
If square dealing the part of the Commissioner of
indian Affairs. 1t appears that DR.. Shippen had
nominated for appointment agent to one of the Ute
agencies a gentleman who was very highly recon- |
ncndcd. Dr. Shppen in personal interview with |
he Commissioner derived from bin the impression |
hat the person nominated would be appointed |
soon afterwards he was surprised TO learn that |
,erson unknown to him had been appointed.
Commissioner Hayt explained the reason for this |
a Le that the person nominated was or had been !
minister and that IT was contrary to the policy of
he Department to appoint ministers as agents.
DIR. Shnpen admitted that this objection had been |
'aisCd at the time.
The announcement of Mr.. Hayt brought Dr. Reid. |
If the Methodist Board TO his feet He said that if
he Interior ID, partment had determined to debsr
minister's from holding these Offices simply because |
hey are minister's it would do much TO ALLEVIATE the
denomination he represents from the support of the
Indian policy. Some of the very best agents. he |
said, are ministers and he referred to Agents VIII
bar and Reed as examples.
General Fisk spoke to the same effect.
Dr. Lowrle secretary of the Presbyterian Foreign !
Boartl thought that ministers of the Presbyterian |
Church had not received the business training nee
.ssary to make good agents; aud Mr. Kingsley. |
uenber of the Iudian Board, who is also a Presby |
cran, concurred in this view.
From the tone of the remarks on the subject and
from words dropped incidentally by several of the
missionary secretaries in the of the session.
L Al. Ill