New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-02-03
uTsTICE FOR TUE PONCAS.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT TO THE TWO
HOUSES OF CONG!IsS-ThE INDIAN POLICY
RECOMMENDED FOR THE FUTURE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2.-The Speaker laid before
the House of Representatives to-day message from
the President transmitting the report Of the Com
mission appointed to ascertain the facts relative to
the removal OF the POnca tribe OF Indians TO the
Indian Territory. and to inquire into lts present
condition and also declaration made by the CHIEFS
of that tribe setting forth the compensation which
they will accept Tor their lands and for the injuries
done to the tribe by its removal to the Indian Terri
tory. After quoting from tue reports OF tho Secre-
tsry of the Interior, Agent Z. A. Howard and the
Senate Committee upon the subject, the President
says:
The report Of tue Commission appointed by me. and
the Testimony taken BY Them add very little TO what
was already contained In the official reports Of the Sec
OF the Interior and the report OF the Senate Com
mtee touching the injustice done TO the POLca inLlans
by their removal to the Indian TERRITORY. hSppiy;
however. the evidence reported by tue Conpls ara
measure Of redress which the Government 81 we
United States ought now 10 adopt ,
The Commission In Its conclusions omts 70 state the
import fact the present con luton Of the Foncas
in the Indian Territory but The evidence they have re-
ported clearly and oOnciuslve that the Pouc-s
now residing IN that Territory 52l IN nuner are sat
Portable and contented and tna' hey are Freely ana
firmly decided to sHts TO n ns rh"cs ~ &
cember IT, $780, remain In the Indian territory hnd
poreS ais" shows that the fragments Of the Pcnc tribe
-perhaps $50 in numbeT-wbicH sti Ia Dakota aud
Nebraska. prefer TO remiu On their old IeserfStCn
In view OF these facts confident tha: tie recon-
mendsson of the Commission. toeet Ter with the declar
followed, will afford solution u The Pcnca question
which is consistent With the Tshes and interests OF
both branches OF the tribe, With the settled lndl.n
policy Of tie Government and as neatly as possible with
the demands Of Justice Our ge1eral indian policy for
First-The Indians should be prepar for citizenship
s spd Sns u Which to e
10 be self supporting and capable OF feprotecuoh IN
Seooad~L,nds should be iotted to the Indiana in
seyeraley insienabe for d certain pc'lod.
Thtrd-Tne Indians should have fair compensation
for their ands required for md.rdual aOtments.
the to be invested. wlthsuabe safeguards for
Fvur:h-Wth these prereq usites sccnre, The Indians
should he made eitizens and invested WIZ the nights
II is therefore TecOm!n6tded that legislation De
sdoped Ia resard to te Pea dsn AZ rI he
members Of the P0uca tribe in severalty ufHent Ian
for their support iDalleuabe for term II years,
until the restriction alienation may be removed By
the President. Ample tine and opportunity shall 10
given TO the members Of tribe freely choose their
aotmeats either their old resi- rvauons. Fun
'a,ion should be mace for lands TO be relin'
pushed and for Losses to them by Sioux dep edaons
end by of their removal 10 the Indian Territory.
the 10, to be es~ lhan the sum named in the
decIayA lou Of the chiefs December "a 1850.
shOI nothing should be left undore To show 10 the
regards their rights equally sacred with these OF ITS
cltiZeLs. The time has Wnen te pOucy should DC
same 100 With Cher p+rmaient inh4btants of tins
country. 40 underti ke 10 apporUn tie blame Tor
the ILL., Justice uONt 10 Tue EACCu-
tive OF Congress the public is Ch ny IN iaut Is not
now question OF practical Importance As The Chief
Executive at the time wneN tie wrong was consum-
mated, deeply sensble that enough Of the reHnnsi
bty for wrong justly attaches To 20 make # my
personal duty and desire 10 dC all Gan to give
to these Indian people that OF redress which IS
required alike by justice and % humanity
RrTHFIIOnD b. HAYES.
Erfcuiice Mansion, FEB. l. 1885,.
The message was ordered printed and referred to
the Committee on Indian Affairs
The Secretary OF he Interior, ir response to the
Senate resolution adopted on January 81, today
transmitted to the Senate copy Of the report of the
Ute Commission and copies of all correspondence
between the Interior Department and the Ute Com
mission a ID between tie Department lndthe Cover
nor oil Colorado concerning Ute Indians since the
18th OF jane 1881. Secretary ScLnTz III hlS letter
SAYS: The volume of the report will convince the
Senate thai it Was impossible to make the necessary
copie, with all the available force the Department
has Tor such purpose in less time than has been
consumed upon it,"