The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1881-03-10

THE poxcA INDIANS.

In the National House Of Representatives
"a the ID \ message was received from the
President, transmitting q report Of +eAe Com
mission appointed 70 ascertain the facts rela-
tive to tho removal Of the Ponea Indiaps to In
dian Territory, and 10 inquire into their present
condition, and also declaration made BY the
Chiefs of that tribe, setting forth the compen-s
sation they will accept for their lands and for
injuries done the tribe by the removal to In
dian Territory.
After quoting from the reports of the Secre-
tary Of the Interior, Agent Il. A. Howard and
the Senate Committee upon the subject the
President says: r s:..s,saz,z.aszs..zs -
"The report Of the Commission appointed
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 In
terror and the report of the Senate Commit
tee touching the injustice done the Ponca In
dams by their removal to the Indian Terrific
~. Happily. however, the evidence reported
by the Commission, and their recommends
lions, point out conclusivelv the true meas
ure Of redress which the Government Of the.
United States ought now to ADOPT. The Com
mission in its conclusions omits to state an
important fact as to the present condition of
the Poncas in Indian Territory, but the evi-
dence they have reported shows clearly and
conclusively that the Poncas now residing in
that Territory, 52l In number, are satisfied
with their new home; that they are healthy,
comfortable and contented, q nd that they are
freely and firmly decided to adhere to the
choice announced in the letter OF October Is,
1850. and the declaration of December II, 1850,
to remain in the Indian Territory, and
not to return to Dakota Territory. The
evidence reported also shows that q fragment
Of the Ponca tribe, perhaps $50, which is still
a. nk Nah. uN~~ 49,
their old reservation. In view Of these facts,
l am confident the Recommendation of the
Commission, together with the declaration Of
the Chiefs Of December last, substantially fol-
lowed. will afford q solution of the Ponca ques-
tlon which is consistent with the wishes and
interest OF both branches of the tribe, with the
settled Indian policy OF the Government, and
% nearly - practicable with the demands of
Justice. Our general Indian policy for the fu-
ture should embrace the following ideas:
~. The Indians should be prepared for citi-
senship by giving to their young OF both sexes
that industrial and general education which Is
requisite to enable them to be self-suppOrting
and capable Of self-protection in civilized COM
munities. 2,
~. Land should be allotted to Indians in
severalty, inalienable for certain period.
"a Indians should have fair compensation
lotments, the amount to be invested with suit
able safeguards for their benefit.
~. With these prerequisites secured, the In
dams should be made citizens, and invested
with the rights and charged with the response.
bilities of citizenship.
ut is, therefore, recommended that leg
islation be adopted in regard to the Ponca In
dams, authorizing the Secretary of the Inte-
ri0r to secure to individual members of the
Ponca tribe. In severalty, sufficient land for
their support, inalienable for term of years.
or until the restriction on alienation may be
removed by the President. Ample time and
opportunity should be given members of the
tribe freely to choose their allotments, either
on their new or old reservations. Full conn
pensation should be made for lands to be relin-
pushed and for losses to them by the Sioux
depredations, and by reason of their removal
to Indian Territory, the amount not to be
less than the sum named in the declaration OF
the Chiefs mace December II, 1850; in short,
nothing should be left undone to show the In
dams that the Government regards their
rights as equally sacred with those Of it's citi-
Gems. The time has come whom the policy
should be to place the Indians as rapidly a.
practicable upon the same footing with other
permanent Inhabitants Of this country. do
not undertake to apportion the blame for the
injustice done the Poncas. Whether the Ex-
ecutive, or Congress- or the public Is chiefly
in fault is not now a question of practical i'm
portance. As Chief-Exeoutive at. the time
when the wrong was oOnsummated. I am
deeply sensible that enough of the RESPONSE
bility for that wrong justly attaches to me to
make it my personal duty and earnest desire
to do all can to give to these Indian people
that measure Of redress which is required
alike by justice and humanity.
"RUTHRKFORD B. HAYES"
The message was ordered printed and re-
ferred to tho Committee on Indian Affairs.
NAVAL STATIONS ON THE ISTHMUS.
On the same day the Speaker also laid before
the House q message from the President,
transmitting for consideration and appropriate
action by Congress letter from the Secretary
of the Navy, recommending an appropriation
Of $200,0O for. the establishment of stations
ON tho American 1sthmus. The President
says:
I'm this paper the concurrent testimony of
prominent officers of this Government for .
long series of years, as to the feasibility and
necessity of establishing such stations, and the
great advantages to dow therefrom to the
naval and commercial interests of the United
States, Is clearly set forth, and the considers
lions adduced cannot but commend them
selves, I am confident, to the earnest and care
full attention Of Congress. Convinced Of the
wisdom and propriety of the suggestions thus
presented, recommend to Congress an appro-
priation Of the sum named by the Secretary of
the Navy, to be at his disposal at once for ex-
penditure, as soon as suitable arrangements
can be made to the proposed end.
.ttt "R. B. HAYES
The message was ordered printed and re.
ferred to the Committee on Appropriations.