The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-08-18
A NATIONAL oRIMB.

no Ono OF lts departments or lines OF lis pol
icy has been so poorly administered or
bunglingly conceived as the Indian bureau
and the Indian policy, In view of the addi-
tional and recent oulrsges on our own border
and the impending danger of another wide
extended and serious outbreak, it ought to
be brought home to the government that
something not yet tried must bs done or ire.
parable Injury will be heaped upon thouss
ands of good citizens who are now attempts
ing 10 carry our civilization and develop
ment into western Texas, New Mexico and
Arizona, at a considerable sacrifice of time,
labor and money. The reasons for visor
policy, more vigorous administration of the
bureau, are of the most imperative character,
and have no reference TO the sentiment
which naturally arises az the loss
OF many gallant soldiers and
Thousands of precious lives almost annually.
We nre not basing the Importance OF new
departure in this department upon the I'm.
fortunate blows 80 !belittle army in the death
of Candy or Custer or Thornburg, or tho de-
struction and mutilation Of the adventurous
pioneers, though these facts condemn the
present policy In tones Of thunder, but we
speak in behalf the growth and development
of the national domain; in behalf of the mo.
mentous interests of capital aud the march
OF Improvement It is now generally known
that tho territories of Arizona snd New
Mexico, and western Texas and northern
Mexico are as rich ia minerals and grasses as
any portion of the globe, and ara becoming
q. present the chief objective points of CAPT
tai and immigration Railroads are pushing
rapidly into these vast and wild domains
and the presence of law and Order of securi.
ty of life aud property, are alone
necessary, to witness and produce
a material growth and creation of wealth
never before perhaps experienced in Amer
lea. But ss it is to-day, those who are best
calculated to accomplish this change, dare
not 60 from peaceful homes in other sections,
and the almost desolation remains, notwth-
standing the American flag floats over the
territory and fifty millions OF people support
its government, and all because Of the pref
ence Of few thousand hall naked and blood
thirsty sayages. Now the question naturally
arises must tho expansion of capital DO pre-
vented, humanity continue to be outraged
and national growth retarded by so pallry u
foes The answer is obvious and the matter of
easy solution by the simplest common sense.
What is necessary to handle refractory men
and curb their evil proponsities? Restraint
of course, and this can only be exercised sue,
cessfully by other men and in sufficient
numbers to enforce the law to the letter.
1t was once currently reported, and in
fac: true, that white man with his
superior equipments for war could easily con.
guerra dozen ssvages with their lances and
bows. But the times have changed the red
man as they change all men, and the Free
booter of the great west to-day |; more than
a match for his pale face enemy. # )men were
placed 10 position at Washington with some
reference to their fitness FOR the trust and
with some kno wledge of the general subject
which they were called upon to handle, the
people might soon lind soma relief and this
matter receive some degree of settlement
As it lie, all departments are run BY incom,
petent favorites of the administration, and
the whole country suffers. 1t can be TN.
conditionally stated from tho record OF tho
Indian bureau at Washington and on the
plains that its administration has been ono
continuous national crime and a series of
nothing but blunderJ, jobs and rsscalities.
Any young lieutenant OF the army, who has
spent two years in the Indisn country, has
seen enough and met with suggestions
enough from those who are informed in the
promises, TO handle the Indian question with
more despatch and intelligence than any
commissioner in charge since tho war.
The general or usual method of proceeding
Is to place some thief in charge of an sgonc y,
and company of one hundred men near by
TO awe and guard Eve thousand bucks. The
consequences can be readily imagined. The
Indians are on a reservation, sud dependent
upon the government almost exclusively for
ralions, but the agent appropris!esj that lat
ter and makes fortune, selling to whoever
will buy. The Indians sngered by hunger
and stung with injustice, lesve the reserva-
N,n and scatter over the country, taking
Whatever plunior can be found, aud killing
all who resist. The handful Of regulars are
impoient to check them, aud after bloody
rail has been marked through the settle,
monts, q special commission ia appointed,
apow-wow held, the savsgss en;ioed back,
and the same old story in the course of few
months repeated. Now isn't 1t time, in al.
seriousness, that such miserable farce, such
criminal iucompetency and misfeasauce was
storpeis Lot sufficiently large force o.
soldiers DO thrown around TIE reservation to
mako of II secure prison, and lot men in
sufficient numbers be placed In the
field TO annihilate, If necessary
those of the Indians who will have nothing
alsa. Let pressure bo brought t. beer nv
organized capital and effort at tho fountain
head to place and keep in position mer