Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1883-01-25
THE FO7ESHACo WE'D INDIAN
POLICY.

has often spoken or ms lndlan pulcy,
indicating a marked change Of pro
CRANE in the treatment CT Indians,
from that prac'iced by h S predecessors.
showed leaning to a different policy
than that observed ly the Government
for years past. Bat he left the Office
and no plans were matured towards
carrying out his views. Teller, on as
Stunning the Office, seemed to express
similar views, though in a modified
form and President Arthur, in his mes
sage to Congress, briefly end his
views. These have met with the ap
proba ion of the pc pie of the west and
northwest generally, and been endorsed
by fair portion of the Eas ern press,
and combatted, ty Another portion
Several attempts have been made to
induce Congress to change the present
policy to sui; the views Of the Secreta
ries, but up to the present time 70 de
cisive action has been taken that has
yet wrought practical change, save
in this respect, to wit; the government
OF the Indians by chiefs and sub chiefs
upon some of the reservations has been
abolished, and in place f this no stable
or reliable government has been sub
stituted. The foreshadowed policy
seems to be TO ultimately govern the
Indians by the same laws and authority
a. govern the white man. But the
hardness in fully turning over the
government Of the indians upon these
reservations, after abolishing the au
thority of chiefs and sub chiefs, is ieav-
ing large Of oliensfs committed by
Indians among themselves, that will
not be taken co.nizance Of by either
the Indian agencies or by tho officers
Of the civil government of the whites
Hoy far Secretary Teller has perfected
his theory Of government, so as to bring
it into practical effect does not yet cp
pear. The telegraph now announces
that Secretary Teller is about to leave
the Cabinet and lake another position
and that ex Senator Mitchell is like
ly to take his place. The interest Of
the Indian would seem to demand that
he (Teller) continue in his position till
such time as he can secure Compression.
oil action upon his theory and have ii
put in practice by the lndian Depart
incnt. But If he cannot remain, that
his successor shall be man of simila,
views upon the Indian question. Elk
Senator Mitchell is Northwest man
or has been for many years, aud ough'
70 be posted in regard to the bes. pol
icy to be pursued towards Indians, al
though We opine that he himself ha.
not much experience among Indians
That he will echo the general publ,
sentiment Of the West we have reason
to believe he will faithfully do. Fol
the good Of the Indian as well AS hat
OF the white man the Indian policy
.should be changed as soon as possible
from the reservation system to that Of
seggrogatipg the Indians upon lands in
severalty aud granting them the same
rights aud privileges as the whites un
der our laws and making them alik,
answerable to the white mans laws il
all things. Treaties with many of tn,
tribe, have expired and these especial
y should be provided for in such
manner as would be both jus, ane
humane and would give them al pos
sibla opportunities to become par
aud parcel Of the Government them
solves with chances Of increasing ii
wealth and owning in their indiyidua
capacity whatever the, have by theil
energy, enterprise aud labor acquired
and have it all protected under our law.
the same as the property of the whit,
nsn Is protected. So far as we car
learn the prevailing sentiment of ,ht
Nex Perce tribe is to early have tn.
laws Of the white man extend over then
with right nj holding lands in severalt,
and even many of them 90 so far as t,
say they are willing their lands shall
he taxed the same as those of the whit.
man If they can be allowed to take up
hold snd cultivate lands under tn,
presumption and homestead laws of tn
United States. With but few exceu
tions they prefer the latter system t,
thai OF the reservation and agency svs
TEN, snd We are sure that our citizei.
generally would rejoice to see the da
srriss speedily when the Indians O
ti,istrabe could be placed on PAR will
han sails e., A. i