The Evening critic., 1881-08-22
THE INDIAN PROBLEM.
Further Conference at the Interior
Department To-day.


Secretary Kirkwood and Commissioner
Price had their usual matinee with the
red man, Red Cloud. All of the other dele
cations were present. Red Cloud said that
he noticed in the Black Hills the advantages
through artificial irrigation by means of
bitches, and he wishes that the same sys-
TEN could be introduced in his country.
But the Indians were utturly ignorant of
the methods of the whites, and did not
know how to go about digging bitches or
dams and bridges. So he asked
that the Government would send them
white men to do the work and they, the
Sioux, would pay them forit.
Secretary Kirkwood asked him if the In
dams would pitch in and help them, and
Red Cloud said they would, as they were
to acquire the arts of civilization.
In reference to the Indian children at
school in Carlisle and Hampton he said
their parents would like to have them edu-
Gated at the agencies If the Secretary thought
it advisable. Secretary Kirkwood told him
that the present time was vacation fol-
pupilsand they were scattered around among
white friends. He called the attention OF
the Indians to the handsome young Ponca,
Mr.. Harry La Flcshe, u brother of Bright
Eyes, who is employed in the Interior De-
partment and is gentleman of remarkable
intelligence, and by application is quite
highly educated. The Secretary said the
young men of the Sioux tribes should fol-
low his example. He said, in addition, that
he wished Indians employed at the agencies
in every capacity for which they were fitted
In respect to the moneys to come to the
Sioux from the two railroad companies
which they allowed to construct tracks
through their lands he asked whether they
desired IL TO he divided up among the agcn-
cics individually owning the property trav-
ersed, or to be divided in common among
the Sioux After consultation, the Indians
decided that it would be best to distribute
it in common.
The conference then adjourned until 100,
when Sword, the chief of police of Pine
Ridge Agency, and the only one of the
tribe who can speak the English language
and write his name, will interview the
Secretary.
All of the Indians were very much
pleased with the crayen portrait of Red
Cloud taken on the occasion of "a former
visit here and which is hanging in Major
Lockwoeds office They will be treated to
photographs by the Department prior to
their departure.
Tao Second CsRsultatiOn.
The Indians, with Interpreter William
son, returned to the Department from
dinner at 1.45 o'clock this afternoon, and
the Second consultation began. At that
time there were several lady sight-seers in
the r,on, who fingered to witness the in
tcrcssing proceedings.
al think" said Seeaetary KirkwOOd, rs
he took his seat, you Indians had better
become citizens like the rest OF us and run
for Congress"
This was translated for the red delegates.
who remained silent, rs Enough Mr.. Kirk
wood had 40 right to co,aSign them to such
a fate. After a pause the Secretary said (:
Have amy. of these delessbes ever attended
a session of Congress ?" Through the in
terprctcr led Cloud responded az have
attended, and looked sadly out of the
window.
Captain swords speech.
Captain Sword, chief Of the Indian
police ut Red Cloud Agency, was then
called upon to speak his wishes to the Great
Father. The Captain arising, and after
shaking hands and saying How" to the
officials, proceeded to say: Great Father
/ never was here before; but am much
pleased with what have seen. The Great
Father ordered fifty Indian policemen at
Red Cloud Agency, and / was placed ut
their head, and il is in the interest of those
policemen that am here ut this time. We
deal to do to preserve order and peace We
do much every day, and think the police
system has done much to improve the
morals of our Indians. / know some agen-
cies where the police do no work at all, and
are of very little use. Now we have fine
quarters and a Jail at our agency, and do
everything to preserve order, and think my
police are the best of them ALL
"That is very true, sir" interrupted the
interpreter turning to the Secretary.
Capt. Sword resumed:
In consequence of the scattered cOndi-
ton of our Indians and the large territory
my police have to cover, think my force
should consist of 100 instead of fifty men.
II that does not seem favorable to the Great
Father it is not because my
their duty is very heavy for the small pay
of IS per month. If the force be not in
creased, pay my men more and they will be
better satisfied" sword then went on to
say that he thought it would be better that
the stripes upon the uniforms of his SER
geants and lieutcnants be sewed on
before the Il. clothing was sent to
the agency i. as he * wanted his
men to look neat and clean, to take care of
their clothing and do away with the blan-
kcts altogether Since he had been in
Washington he had noticed the police and
was surprised at the small amount of ground
they had to cover. They did not have to
ride over miles of ground, as some of his
men were required to do His men wanted
better saddles. He concluded by saying
that they were pleased with the present
management of the agency
This was Endorsed by Red Cloud.
The Secretary promised to consider what
Sword had said, and would reply at some
future time. Sword then added that he
thought that the work of religious mission
aries in his country was u good one, and his
observations among the churches here yes.
terday strengthened his belief.
Young MAN. Afraid Of
said the Indians in Dakota had heard what
the Great Father had said with reference
to observing peace, and they thought he
was right. They were all at peace with the
Government and hoped to remain so. He
desired, however, that the Great Father
would talk with his head soldiers and in
duce them to keep within bounds of the
treaty relations. This chief was still speak
ing at a late hour.
During the council, Secretary Kirkwood
had number of cooking utensils, boots,
shoes, clothing and other articles, made by
the Indian boys and girls now at school
at Carlisle, Pa, brought in. The Indians
examined the articles, and seemed to be
highly pleased with them. The Secretary
impressed upon the visitors the Importance
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