Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1882-12-13

Ol tnat character. lhe marriage law, II
1T may be said to exist at all among the
indians, is exceedingly lax in its charac-
ter, and it will be found impossible for
some time yet to impress them with our
idea of this important relation. The
marriage state, existing only by the con-
sent OF both parties, is easily and readi.
~ dissolved, the man not recognizing
any obligation on his part to take care
Of his offspring. As far as practicable,
the Indian having taken to himself
wife should be compelled to continue
that relation with her unless dissolved
by some recognized tribunal on the res
ervation or by the courts. Some system
of marriage should be adopted and the
Indian compelled to. conform to it. The
Indian should also be instructed that ho
ls under obligations to care for and sup
port, not only his wife, but his children.
ard on his failure without proper cause,
to continue as the head of such family.
he ought in some manner to be punished,
which should be either by confinement
in the guard house, or agency prison, or
great hindrance to the civilization of the
Indians is the influence of the medicine
men, who are always found with the
anti-progressive party. Tho medicine
men resort to various articles and devices
to keep the people under their influence,
and are especially active in preventing
the attendance of the children at the
public schools, using their conjurers' arts
to prevent the people from abandoning
their heathenisn rites and customs.
While they profess to cure diseases by
administering q few simple remedies,
still they rely mainly on their art of con-
juring. Their services are not required
even for the administration of the few
simple remedies they are competent to
Recommend, for tho government sup.
plies the several agencies with sklllful
physicians, who practice among the In.
dians without charge to them. Steps
should be taken to compel these impos.
ters to abandon this deception and dis
continue their practices, which are moi
| only without benefit to the Indians, but
positively injurious to them. The value
of property is an agent of civilization
and ought not to be overlooked. Wher
an Indian acquires property, with dis
position to retain the same free from
tribal or individual interference
he has made q slept forward
in the road to civilization. Ont
great obstacle to the requirement
Of property by the Indians is the yer,
general custom of destroying or distrib
uting his property on the death of
member OF his family. Frequently, OF
the death of an important member of the
family, oil the property accumulated by
its head is destroyed or carried off BY
the mourners, and his family left in des
olation and want. While in their indie
pendent state, but little inconvenience
was felt in such case, on account of tn
general community of interest and prop
erty. In their present condition, no
only real inconvenience is felt, but dis
astrous consequences follow. I am ir
formed by reliable authority that fri
quently the head of family, tindin
himself thus stripped of his propert,
becomes discouraged and makes no fu
ther attempt to become q property-owne
, Fear of being considered lacking in O
tachment to the dead frequently pre-
vents the owner from interfering to say
his property while it is being d.
stroyed in his presence and COZ
tary to his wishes. It wi
be difficult to accomplish much towar
the civilization of the Indians Will
these adverse influences are allowed
exist. The government having attemp
, ed to support the Indians until such
time as they shall become selt-suppor
ing, the interest of the government,
we'll as that of the Indians, deman,
that every possible effort should be mat
/ to induce them to become self.suppor
ing at as early day as possible.
therefore, suggest whether it is not pra
a ticable to formulate certain rules for Il
/. government Of the Indians on the reese
/ vation that shall restrict and abolish Il
!, practices I have mentioned. am n
!, ignorant of the difficulties that will
! encountered in this effort, yet belle
| in all the tribes there will be foul
4 many Indians who will aid the Cover
), ment in its efforts to abolish rites al
y customs SO injurious to the Indians a
SO contrary to the civilization that th
so earnestly desire. 81. NJ. TELLER,
Secretary of the Interior