New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-10-21
AT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
TOPICS OF GENERAL INTEREST.

ihoblEm--bUIIEAU CASE-A fhOJtNiHb 'iN
TORY OF THE ASSASSINATION OF LINCOLN AND
| GARFIELD-THE VIRGINIA CAMPAIGN.
Secretary Kirwood has devoted much thought
| to the Indian question, ana in conversation
with TRIBUNE correspondent recently he
spoke of plan for rendering the Indians self
supporting. Counsel will probable be assigned
to-day for the conduct of Guiteau's defence.
District-Attorney Corkhill, who has long pro-
jected history of the assassination of Lincoln,
| is disposed to publish history of the murder
! of General Garfield. Mr. Lewis, candidate for
Lieutenant-GOvernor on the Readjuster ticket
| in Virginia, expresses confidence of success in
the campaign.
| SECRETARY KIRKWOOD AND THE INDIANS.
THE QUESTION OF FORMING THE ABORGINFs INTO
sELF-sUsTAINTNG COMMUNITIES THE OBJECT OF
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Of THE SECRETARY.
NY TELEGRAPH 70 Tug rRIBUNE
WASHINGTON. Oct 2O.-Snce Secretary Kirk
wood entered upon the duties of his present Office
he has devoted much study to the Indian question,
a su iect with of the aspects of which he had
already become familiar az chairman of the Senate
Select Committee to investigate the circumstances
connected with the removal of the Northern Chey-
ennes and the Poncas to the Indian Territory Al
though Secretary Kirkwood has been in office less
than eight months, during three of which he
labored under the shadow Cf an overwhelming
anxiety and grief, his administration Of Indian
affairs has been so firm and intelligent as to justify
the belief that a Secretary OF the Interior had been
found who was both competent aud willing to deal
with the Indian question III spirit OF enlightened
statesmanshp.
In conversation with n TRIBUNE correspondent
recently, Secretary Krkwood touched upon one or
two matters of Indian administration which have
closely engaged the attention Of thoughtful studen's 9
of the subject for number OF years. Speaking Of
the issue of Government supplies TO Indians, the
Secretary said:
"When was at For; Reno a couple Of years ago,
| saw G,OOO Indians doing nothing except play,
loaf, and eat ratous ssned by the Government.
They were clad after O fashion in blankets and
lesgings, also issued by ths' Government. They
were being pauperilcd as rapidly as practicable. |
donbt whether the same number CT Whit people
would not soon become worthless paurers if snb-
iected TO the came conditions
what remedy would you applyw asked the cor
respondent.
1t is difficult to say. | have thought It would
be a good plan for the Government TO give tribe
small herd of cattle 10 take care Of until the herd
had become large enough, 50 that the natural in
crease would be sufficient 20 provide them
with a supply of meat. besides surplus to
sell adequate to supply their other neces-
sites. f. the meantime the Government should
provide frr the Indians. When the herd had be-
come large enough / think / would turn it over t.
the Indians, and say TO them You now
have means Of sItsupport provided
yol. Take proper care Of it. Tho in
crease of Your stock VIII furnish all
the meat You need AMI leave n surplus
which you can sell to buy whatever else YOU need.
The Government now throws you uDoH your own
resources; II you waste them it viii be your own
fault and yon will suffer- 4 tribe once started in
this way would he likely 10 remain At peace. and,
under intelligent guardianship for 4 time TO
pTosper.'
Secretary Kirkwool then spoke Of The necessity Of
acqu1Intine The Indians with, aud subjectng them
TO- the Law, OF civilized society for the protection Of
lite ard property. Amony ether things he said:
60 haG tholGh'. il ,houla remain IA office long
enough tumakca report to Congress. oi rec"mnenh-
lug trial oi q u"N experiment m ln.Iau GOV rn-
mont. have not hlumrr rrl the details oGt m my
oWn mind get aud there ml'It hr some fatal OBJ
jcctton 10 the plan. have thought, however that
sit take sJfIr tribe that S H'aliN scI-supPofl-
ing Idd la, made oDusdc. be Advancement iJWdI'!
ciyluZItiOu--ay the OmJhIS IN NcbrIakI-aid
erect their rc-eryatIon into county under the laws
ot the State or Territory IN which II
IL situated. Ia th" case e the OmahaS the
comfy would be- organized rs other couniie-
Ia that State, aui the laws of NcOastd
would Ice IN u.cr there tIr they relate TO the
preservation OF order, the protection OF life anu
property, ere. 1hD matter ought To be arranged,
think 80 that She Indian agent would be chosen
Couaty ia e. Justices Of The Peace and other
minor Offices should be chosen Jy th' people. and
there suoud be- tual by jury, rs ia DINER parts ol
the state. pue Of the most serious DRAWBACKS 1"
all our Offer, 10 ciyii4c the Indians M uN opinion,
10 the entire absence oi tLo.. laws which IN state
Of civilization protect the innocent, punish the
guilty, and hold society together