Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-02-03

SCl slSCs uutl 1I0O 1O1 1ulOI LudtlOu dS
to what steps have been taken to
prosecute the same. Adopted.
The Speaker laid before the House
q message from the President trans
mitting the report of the commission
appointed to ascertain the facts rela-
tive to the removal of the Ponca
tribe of Indians to the Indian Terri
tory and to inquire into it's present
condition, and also a declaration
made by the chiefs of that tribe
setting forth the compensation which
they will accept for their lands and
for the injuries done to the tribe by
it's removal to the Indian Territory.
After quoting from reports of the
Secretary of the Interior against e.
A. Howard, and the Senate commit
tee upon the subject, the President
says:
The report of the commission ap-
pointed by me, and the testimony
taken by them, add very little to
what was already contained in the
official reports of the Secretary of
the Interior and the report of the
Senate committee touching the in
justice done to the Ponca Indians by
their removal to the Indian Terri
tory. Happily, however, the evi~
dence reported by the commission
and their recommendations point out
conclusively the true measures of
redress which the Government of
the United States ought now to
adopt. The commission, in it's con-
clusion, omit to state an important
fact as to the present condition of
the Poncas in Indian Territory, but
the evidence they have reported
shows clearly and conclusively that
the Poncas, now residing in that Ter
ritory, 521 in number, are satisfied
with their new home; that they
are healthy, comfortable and con-
tented, and that they are freely and
firmly decided to adhere to the
choice announced in the letter of
October Is, 1880, and the declara
ton of December 27, 1880, to remain
in the Indian Territory and not to
return to Dakota Territory.
The evidence reported also shows
thata fragment of the Ponca tribe,
perhaps $50 in number, which is
still in Dakota and Nebraska, prefer
to remain on their old reservation.
In view of these facts, I am conf
dent that the recommendations of the
commission, together with the decla.
rations of the chiefs of December
last, if substantially followed, will
afford asolution of the Ponca ques.
ton which is consistent with the
wishes and interests of both branch
es of the tribe, with the settled
Indian policy of the Government and
as nearl y as practicable with the
demands Of justice Our general
Indian policy for the future should
embrace the following ideas: First
The Indians should be prepared fol
citizenship by giving to their young
of both sexes that industrial anc
general education which il
requisite to enable them tx
be self-supporting and capable
of self~protection in civilized COM
munities. Second. Lands should bt
allotted to the Indians in severalty
inalienable for certain periods
Third. The Indians should have fail
compensation for their lands not re
quired for individual allotment, the
amount to be invested with suitable
, safe guards for their benefits
, Fourth. With these prerequisites
, secured, the Indian should be made
citizens, and invested with thu
rights and charged with the respon
sibilities of citizenship. It is there
fore recommended that legislation b,
adopted in regard to the Ponca In
dians, authorizing the Secretary o
, the Interior Il secure to individual
: members of the Ponca tribe il
severalty, sufficient land for theil
support, inalienable for a term o
years, Or until restriction on th
! alienation may be removed by tn
President. Ample time and oppor
tunity should be given to members O
the tribe freely to choose their allot
q ments, either on their new or oil,
+ reservations. Full compensation
should be made for lands to be re
linquished and for losses to them b
the Sioux depredations, and by reasol
of their removal to the Indian Terri
o tory, the amount not to b
! less than the sum named i
9 the declaration of the chief
y made on December 27, 1880 L
short, nothing should be left undon
- to show to the Indians that the Gov
q ernment of the United States regard
their rights as equally sacred wit
D those of United States citizens
!, The time has come when the polio
: should be to place the Indians a
: rapidly as practicable ON the sam
y footing with other permanent in
habitants of this country. 1 do no
y undertake to apportion the blame fo
the injustice done to the Poncas
Whether the Executive, or Congress
: or the public is chiefly in fault is no
!. now a question of practical impol
;. tance. AS the Chief Executive a
! the time when the wrong was con
summated I am deeply sensible tina
E. IL =