Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1883-12-04

buual created for that purpose. To
many OF the reservations he has no title
whatever, and is but the occupant there.
of by executive favor. Such occupants
ought not to be left landless, neither
should they be allowed to hold large
| tracts not necessary for their support,
and OF which they make but little or no
use.
In most cases appropriations for sup.
port are in consideration Of sessions OF
lands heretofore made by the Indians to
! the government, and the money SO ap-
plopriated cannot be considered graf.
uity; but in addition to such appropria-
ton large amount is appreciated for the
| support of Indians with whom We have
20 treaty engagements for such support.
the fiscal year 1853 was Sl.5lOpUU.
Such last appropriations have been
| made; that is, q specified sum for each
tribe or band. The propriety OF this
method. when applied to these Indians
with whom we have treaty engagements
toi such appropriation, ls rot to be ques-
| toned; but no reason exists why the
same course should be pursued with re.
terence to those appropriations that are
gratuity on the part OF the government.
All such appropriations should be at the
| disposal of the department, SO that dis.
| tributlon can be made according to the
necessity of the Indians for whose bene
mt these appropriations are made. If
the department could use these funds
| at Its discretion, they could be made not
only means of support but valuable
agency in the civilization OF the Indians
The Indian receiving tile supplies 80
provided for should be made to under
stand that he has no claim on the gov
eminent, and that such assistance
is only afforded bim to en-.
able him to become self supporting,
and that if he fails to show reasonable
progress in that direction such support
will be withdrawn. 1t should be within
the power of the department to withhold
such supplies, except in payment for
labor performed by such Indians when
the department can furnish them an op-
portunity to labor. The cultivation OF
land or the care of stock should be made
condition precedent to receiving aid
from the government, except in the case
of those unable to perform sRch labor.
Such has not been the practice of the
government, but, on the contrary, the In.
dian has been allowed to refuse to do
work OF any kind, and yet demand and
/ ls
Why should the government support the
able-bodied Indian who refuses to work,
any more than it should the white man
who refuses to exert hims elf for his sup
port?
[ therefore recommend that all appro-
priations OF the character named-that
Is, those made without consideration on
the part OF the Indians-be placed at the
disposal of the department., and that
their distribution be made to depend as
far as practicable on the dis position
shown by the Indians to become self.
, supt ortipg.
In my former report l recommended
! the disarming of the Indians, and re.
new that recommendation. Ii we sub
slst the Indian, he has no use for fire
arms, and it is not economy to allow hin
: to retain his arms fer the purpose o
supplying himself with game; tar better
to give him sutficiency Of food, and re-
quire hlm to remain on his reservation
,, Ii the Indian is disarmed be will cease
to be an object of terror to his white
neighbor, and the friendly relations that
ought to exist between the white settler
and his Indian neighbor will not b.
|, wanting. 1t is nnsafe to trust an Indiar
!; with gun; the very possession of il
lncites in him desire to use it. Th,
unnamed Indian Is as safe in any country
/, as the unarmed white man; it is the pos
! session of his weapon and the knowledg,
that he may be tempted to use it tha
creates hostility towards him on tn,
part of the settler. Disarn him and pu
: him under the protection of the law, ant
I his person and property will be as saf
E as that of his white neighbor. His arm
ought not to be couiscated; for ever,
: rifle give him an OK of twice its value t.
till his field, cows, sheep, or horses, as b
may need. Tue proprlety OF doing thi
T cannot be doubted; the beneficial re
e suits would be readily seen. l rene,
=. the following suggestion made in m
e former report:
: l therefore suggest that the commits
sioner of Indian affairs be authorized t
adopt some system OF disarming the IL
I, dians, and to that end to purchase th
! arms of the Indians on fair terms, an
II that suitable appropriation be mad,
cut of which payment shall be made, an
e that the sale Of arms or ammunition t
Il Indians holding tribal relations be pre-
e hibited under severe penalties
y COURT OF INDIAN oFFESsEs
,ot Many of the agencies are without la
% of any kind, and the necessity for SON
=, rule of government on the reservation
"a grows more and more apparent each da
~ If it is the purpose of the government
i clvilize the Indians. they must be cor
y PEELED to desist from the savage and ba
10 barous practices that are calculated
10 continue them in savagety, no matt
IN what exterior influences are brought
4. bear on them. Very many of the pr
III gressive Indians have become fully ali
\. to the pernicious Influences of the
20 heathenish practices indulged in by the
4. people, and have sought to abolish ther
N. IN such efforts they have been aided
rs their missionaries, teachers, and agen
ct but this has been found impossible ev
i. with the aid thus given. The COVER
or ment furnishes the teachers, and {
- charitable people contribute to the So
in. port Of missionaries, and much tin
he labor, ami money is yearly expended
Il. their elevation, and yet few nor. p
to gressive, degraded Indians are allow
ilv to exhibit before the young aud susceI
,rs BILE children all the debauchery, d
bollsm, and savagery of the worst ct
ec. of the Indian race. Every man famil
mt with Indian life will bear witness to
az. pernicious Influence of these savage ri
,lx and heathenlsh customs.
nst On the ID of December last. with
rts view OF as soon as possible putting
&c. end to these heathenlsh practices,
his dressed letter to the commissioner
Indian affairs. which here quote as
re-. pressive of my ideas on this subject:
the desire to call your attention tow
to | regard as great hIudrapce to the {
=. "A oe I,,l 81 !.