The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1881-12-10

its solution, at once serious, determined
consistent and promising success.
1t was natural, at time when the
national territory seemed almost illimi.
table and contained many millions OF
acres far outside the bounds of civilized
settlements, that a policy should have
initiated which more than aught else
has been the fruitful source Of our In
dian complications.
/ refer, of course, to the policy of
dealing with the various Indian tribes as
separate nationalities, Of RELOCATING
them by treaty stipulation to the occu-
pancy of immense reservations in the
West, and of encouraging them to live
savage lives, undisturbed by any earnest
and well directed efforts to bring them
under the influence of civilization. The
unsatisfactory results which have sprung
from this policy are becoming apparent
to all, as the white settlements have
crowded the borders of the reser-
vations. The Indians, sometimes con-
tentedly and sometimes against their
will, have been transferred to other
hunting grounds from which
they have again been dis
lodged whenever theirnew found homes
have been desired by the adventurous
settlers. These removals, and the from
tier collisions by which they have often
been preceded, have led to frequent and
disastrous conflicts between the races.
1t is proftless to discuss here which Of
them has been chiefly responsible for
the disturbances whose recital occupies
so large a space upon the pages Of
cur history. We have to deal with the
appalling fact that though thousands of
| lives have been sacrificed, and hundreds
OF millions of dollars expended in the
attempt to solve the Indian problem, it
has within the last few years seemed
scarcely nearer a solution than it was
| half century ago; but the government
has been cautiously but steadily feeling
! its way to the adoption of policy,
which has already produced gratifying
results, and which in my judgment is
likely, if Congress and the executive
| accord in its support, to relieve us ere
long from the difficulties which have
hitherto beset us.
For the success of the efforts now
making to introduce among the Indians
the customs and pursuits of civilized
life, and gradually to absorb them into
the mass of our citizens, sharing their
rights and holding to their responsible
ties, there is imperative need for legis-
lative action. My suggestion 10 that
regard will be chiefly such as have been
already called to the attention of Con-
gress, and have received to some extent
its consideration: First, recomend the
passage of an act making the laws
of the various States and Territories ap-
plicable to the Indian reservations
within their borders, and extending the
laws of the State of Arkansas to the
portion of the Indian Territory not occu-
pied by the five civilized tribes. The
Indian should receive the protection Of
the law. He should be allowed to
maintain in court his rights of person
and property. He has repeatedly begged
for this privilege. Its exercise would
be very valuable to him in his progress
toward civilization.
Second, of even greater importance is
q measure which has been frequently
recommended by my predecessor in
office, and in furtherance Of which
several bills have been from time to
time introduced in both houses OF Con
gress.. The enactment Of general
law permitting the allotment in several
ty, to such Indians at least as desire it,
of a reasonable quantity Of land secured
to them by patent, and for their protec-
ton made inalienable for twenty or
twenty-five years, is demanded for
their present welfare and their
permanent advancement. In return
for such consderate action on the
part of the government there IS
reason to believe that the Indians, in
large numbers, would be persuaded to
sever their tribal relations and to engage
at once in agricultural pursuits.
AGRICULTURE.
The report of the commissioner OF
agriculture exhibits results of the ex-
periments in which that department has
been engaged during the past year, and
makes important suggestions in refer
ence to the agricultural development Of
the country.
The steady increase of our population
and the consequent addition to the
number of those engaging in the pursuit
of husbandry are giving to this depart
ment growing dignity and Importance.
The commissioners suggestions touch
ing its capacity for greater usefulness
| deserve attention, as it more and more
commends itself to the interest which it
was created to promote.
PENSIONS.
It appears from the report Of the
commissioner of pensions that since
1860, 89,063 original pension claims
have been filed; 49, $40 of these have
been allowed and inscribed on the pen
sion roll; Y $50 have been rejected and
abandoned, being thirteen plus per
cent. of the whole number of claims
settled There are now pending for
settlement 265,575 original pension
claims, 227 ,040 of which were filed prior
to July l, 1880. These, when allowed,
will involve the payment of arrears from
the date of discharge in case of an in
valid, and from date of death or ter
mination of prior right in all other
cases. From all the data obtainable it
is estimated that fifteen per cent. of the
number of claims now pending will be
rejected or abandoned. This would
show the probable rejection of $4,000
cases and the probable admission of
about 1913 900 claims, all of which in
n