New-York tribune., 1884-11-05
THE RrpoRr on NDifN AFF/RS,

TIE REPORT on TNDifN AfFfIHS
The aunupl rcport of the Commissioner oi
Indian Affairs iustiics the inference that the
Indians are making more progress IMAM was l"
have been expected under the circumstances
and that now, a. in the past the chici obstacle
o their advance consists less in the iiXcdnesS oi
their nomadic habits than in the mlnmlty oil
the policy pursued regarding them by Congress-
II is specially significant that where thcy nave
cnioycd the frecst conditions, and where conse-
dncntly their change 10 civilized ana sctlitd
habits has 50 far rs il has gone, been IN the line
of gradual evolution, they have achieved the
most. But where. as in the case OF the PicganS,
Blaclkfcct and other tribes. the b.under has
been committed of placing Indians upon game
less and sterile reservations it is equally I'M
possible for them to support themselves by the
chase or to change their habits and 1--we by
stock l-raising or agriculture. In these cases
there is nothing left except for Congress to pro-
vide for the subsistence OF the Indians until
they can be disposed of more nationally. But
Congress has here committed Il double blundcr'
for these unfortunate tribes are not only put
where il is impossible for them 10 make their
own living. but they are refused The appr0plla-
ton absolutely necessary to keep them from
starving.
The rcpor of Commissioner Price shows that
in most cases the Indian, keep their engage
mcnts. and that the Government IN most cases
does the reverse. Thus Congress at Its last
session violated treaty stpulations in giving
several corporations right of way through the
Indian Territory. Of course this breach of Faith
is the result of the fatuous policy which makes
treaties with Indians at all, and thus gives them
an anomalous status which emphasizes their
isolation and discourages their aSSimilation
But to make treaties and then break them Is
worse than stupid: it is dishOnOrablc. Yet 1t
is certain that such treaties can never be kept.
Commissioner Price holds that the Indian APP
propriations are too small, being only at the
rate of 81 per annum per capita. Probably
they only serve in the cases where the Indians
can support themselves, to demuralze them
while it has beci proved that where seli-sub-
sistence is impractcable the subsidy cannot
suffice to keep the Indians from starving.
The Indian police is highly praised for IFS dis
| cipline. fidelity and efficiency. Protest is made
against the laxity of the law which renders the
nuuislment of the rascals who sell Whiskcy 10
the Indians often impracticable. Better iacili-
ties for the punishment of offences committed
aiming tie Indians themselves are needed and
II orpears that the Indian courts already cstab-
lshel are working well. I'm short the Com
missionc,'s report demonstrates that it is quite
rpssible to improve the condition of the major
il, oi the indians. and that if Cungress could b,
injured tu adopt a rational aud broad policy.
based upon full recognition ui the importanr,
nr making the Indian n citizen IN MI respects
the way would be cleared lot such q settlement
nl the whole question ns rnnnri he h'rcd ioi
within q century u ile ull4 pniroselrss. r'nhs
cniniins, nursing policy is continued modified
ii bad laiih ani paismonA