Arizona weekly citizen., 1882-08-20
TELLER ON INDIANS.
Secretary Teller Adopts a Policy to
 Settle Great Problem.
How He Will Dlsarm the Indians, Incapaci-
 tate them for War, and Educate Them.
Denver Tribune.I


 "My Indian policy? Why, no, have no hositancy in outlining it to you" said the Hon. Henry M. Teller, Colo rado's representative in the Cabinet, as he set down in one of the cushioned chairs m the Windsor hotel rOtunda last night, and invited the Tribune re- porter to occupy another close by.
 The Secretary had just returned from Warrington, weary and worn by the long ride; but despite his condition, he was affable and not at all inclined to refuse a repOrtOrial talk. On being first approached as to his opinion on the political situation in the State, he said: "I am not come to interfere, and will only remain couple of weeks to attend to my personal business.
 THE INDIAN POLICY.
 "To began with" said the Secretary, continuing the Indian policy subject, "I intend to confine the Indians to their reservations. This will, of course, be a matter somewhat difficult of accom- pllsEment, but l think the influence of the agents will be strong enough to keep the Indians on the reservations long enough for the purpose in view. Then l sEall disarm them and discOn- tInue the issuance of ammunition. This intention IS now being carried out They will give up their arms with great reluctance, but time will overcome their objections"
 Have you any advice to the effect that they will resist the Gisarming:'
 'Nes; they say at they will Dot part with their rifles. Many of the prominent chiefs in the more hostile tribes express a willingness to do so, however, and that Is an encouragement The Indians ar fully aware of my intentions and plans, and as yet have offered no opposition to them. They keep thoroughly posted on matters in the Interior Department. The strongest objection will perhaps be made among the scents in the Apache tribes of AriZoua. The Government has been in the habit of issuing to them, the finest rifles manufactured and unlimited supplies of ammunition and keeping them within the reservation SO that they cannot purchase any, the question of abating murders, wars and outbreaks will be forever settled"
 But you will have to provide the en- listed scouts with some armsy'
 "I will give them pistols. They shall not have the weapons to pick our boys of at long distance. Pis- tols would be of comparatively no use to them"
 CUTTING AWAY FROM CHURCH INFLUENCE.
 A ruinous custom of the Interior de- partment has been the attached power of religious denominations" continued the Secretary. "Ihis l have cut away from completely. Formerly the sgencIes were distributed among the several churches of the country for missionary work. The denOmInatiOn or religious organization to which was allotted an agency was conceded the right to ap- point the agent. These agents have proved, in most instances, corrupt, be- | cause of opportunity, and incompetent, | because of prejudice. Since 1 took the department l have discovered many proofs of tbese facts. Why, we have | had an illustration right here ID Cobra 1 do, in the case of William II. Berry. the 1 late Uncompahgre agent He was elect | ed by the UnItarians. l find that under | his administration many glaring rob- 1 berries had occurred. HeInsists that his l clerks must have done the thieving, but l that could not be possible
 THEAvERAGE LIFE OF AGENTS.
 "Did the churches raise much objec- | ton to your action?'
 Many of them d1d. Some thought | me profane, and the ministers from | others sad they were glad to be rid of | the trouble. IL is only a few days ago l that received letter from the Metho- | dists protesting against my course. In | replying to them l stated that the | agents appointed by the churches were | not the most honest, and said that the | influence of the missionary method I must have been bad. inasmuch as the | average life of their Indian agents was only eighteen months When wecouldn't | hold men in office longer than that, it was about time to apply remedy to a custom that was positively defective STOCK RAISING AND SCHOOL EDUCATION l
 You hope to establish the object oj tie churches by more radical treatment
 Religion will come to the Indians only after they have been taught the demands and customs Ot ClvIlZatlau. After having dIsarmed them l shah give 'hem cows instead of the beef formerly | appropriated Co their use by the Gov -rnment. and teach them stock raising ! IT they show any disposition to oppose this l shall post men on each reservation whose duty 1t will be to educate them to l the idea. | am now making preparations to place the children in schools distant from the reservation. There are already l two of these schools on the Eastern coast one at Carlysle and another at Hampton I have made application for the possession of Fort Riley. Kansas, in with Congressional provi sion. On the northern line of the Indi- an Territory l have selected a site and will soon commence the erection of a school that will accommodate four or five hundred pupils Fort Riley is a pe- ruliarly happy location for a school, the agricultural and other surroundings be- ing all favorable to the general educa- -ion of the inmates. have an apprO- priatiOn of Sl50,OOO, which I shall im- devote to this work"