Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-12-07
THE REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF
THE INTERIOR ON TIE INDIAN CUES
TON.

TON.
The report of Secretary Teller, of the
Interior Department, just given to the pub
lie, is a document of exceeding and unu-
sual Importance. The subject which is of
absorbing interest is the Indian question.
The recommendations Of Mr.. Teller strike
us with force as being wise and unanswer-
able. In brief, this is his plan: Disarm
the Indian, reduce reservations to agricult-
ural needs, cease to give the Indian sup
port in money and goods, but fit him out
with the tools and stock of the farm, far
nish him teachers of agriculture and stock
raising, and give him to understand that
he must take care of himself. OF course
this plan involves looking after him
until he is able to stand alone. But expe-
rience shows that he can be relied upon
very soon, that he learns readily, and is
tractable scholar when taken young enough.
The plan involves these supplemental
schemes Abrogation of all treaties with
Indian tribes and the substitution of set.
Elements under the law, and the treatment
of the Indian tribes not as undergraduates,
but the Indians as men capable of becom.
ing citizens +; and finally the admission to
citizenship of all of them who are capable
of exercising intelIgently the privileges of
citizenship. As the Indian cannot yet be
made to understand the holding of lands
in severalty, the agricultural lands to be
carved out of the reservations should be
decided to the tribes, and they
allowed to distribute them according
to their own methods. Under the new plan
the Indian is to be held accountable to the
laws as are other men. But the root Of the
whole scheme is found to reside in the edu-
cation of the Indian. There are now
nearly one hundred Indian schools, and
every one has proven a success. The edu-
Gated Indian never returns to the war.
path. These schools should be increased,
and especially the manual labor schools.
AAN1 aAI LAN AlAob aAl bC6k uiGdl4u Vi SCI
ting the whole Indian question. All these
suggestions are wise, and they must strike
the thoughtful as unanswerable. 1t is not
easy to conceive Of any answer to the
proposition to disarm the Indian, educate
him, teach him ciyilizing labor, and make
him self-dependent. As we now care for
him, we simply pamper him on one reser-
walton or stArve him into warfare on an
other. We treat with him as a foreign
power and cannot make treaty that both
parties will observe. We feed and clothe
the Indian, but with Just such as the con-
tractor sees fit in mercy to allot him. We
pay an army to watch the Indian at greater
cost than it would require to make him
self.supporting. Mr.. Teller is very posi-
tive that, as a matter OF economy, his plan
will be Of vast advantage, besides forever
settling the whole vexed Indian question.
He reports that we are largely indebted to
many Indian tribes under treaties to pay
them sums for considerations we have re.
ceived, and to enable them to establish
schools and build dwellings; but without
particle of reason or the slightest excuse
Congress has deliberately refused and
coolly neglected for years to keep faith and
recognize its own obligations. We must
be honest before we ask the Indian to be
decent. Why the whole country plumes
itself on its glory, dignity, Christian viz.
tues and high civilization, when it is IN.
deniable, and it is go year after year
reported by its officials, that it is dishon-
est, mean and despicable in its recognition
Of solemn obligations for the payment OF
money and goods to the Indians, passes
surprise. For our own part we feel hu.
initiation and disgrace on reading
the report of the Secretary, espe.
cially that part relating to the wrongs of
the Mission Indians of California. But
his plan for the settlement of the whole
Indian question is sound one, and with.
ont flaw. 1t is identical with that sug-
eested by the most of the Indian Agents
who can be trusted to give an opinion, and
accords with the suggestions of the Indian
Commissioner, and with the advice OF army