The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1885-12-18
MESSAGE.


a~trocious manner. therefore they Should be ex-
terminated. They are within care OF cur gov
efnment. and the + rights are, or should be. pro-
tected from invasion by the most solemn obi
cations. They are properly enough called the
wards Of the government, and It should be borne
In the mind that this guardianship involves on
our part efforts for the improvement Of their
condition and the enforcement OF their rights.
There seems to be general concurrence In the
proposition that the ultimate object OF their
treAtmen should be their civilization and citi-
xenship, fitted by these to keep pace with the
march OF progress. With the adyanced civli,za-
with the mass of our population. assuming the
responsibilities and receiving the protection
pears to be in the selection of the means to be
this result.
CUR INDIAN POPULATION.
exclusive OF those in Alaska, is reported as num-
bering 5000 nearly all being located on
lands set apart for their use and occupation. ag-
lands are included IN the boundaries Of III res
ervations OF different dimensions scattered In
twenty-one states and territories. presenting
great variations in the climate and the kind and
quality OF the soil. Among the Indians on these
several reservations there exists the most
marked difference in natural traits and DISPOSE
lions and In their progress toward civilization.
While soIae arc lazy, vicious and stupid. others
are Industrious, peaceful and intelligent. While
. portion Of them are sclf-supporting and inde-
pendent and have so far advanced In civilization
that they make their OWE laws, which are adj
m1n1stered through officers Of their own choice.
amaze uuC3Te bu6lT CuIiQrcu IN SCHOOLS OF their
W establishment and maintenance. others
remain In squalor and dependence, almost the
savagery Of their natural State. In dealing with
this question. the desires manifested by the
Indians should not be ignored. Here, again. WI
hnd a great diversity. With some the tribal
relation is cherished with the utmost tenacity,
while it's hold upon others is considerably re-
lsxed. The love OF home is strong with ali, and
yet There are those whose attachment to a par
ticular locality Is by no means unyielding. The
ownership OF their lands In seveialty Is much
desired by some, while By others, and some-
times again the most civilized, such d distribu-
tion would be bitterly opposed. The variation
OF their wants, growing out OF and connected
with the character OF their several locations,
should be regarded Some are upon reservations
most ft for grazing, but without iocks or herds,
and some on arabic lands have no agricultural
implements, while some Of the reservations are
double tue size necessary to maintain the num-
perhaps. they should he enlarged. to ali
this the difference in the administration of the
agencies. while the same duties are deyolved
upon ali, the disposition OF the agents and the
manner Of their contact with the Indians have
much to do with their
CONDITION AND WELFARE.
The agent who peTfunctorily performs his duty
and slothfully ~neglects all opportunity to adj
vance their moral and physical Improvement.
and fails TO inspire them with a desire for better
things, will accomplish nothing In the direction
Of their civilization: while he who feels the bur-
den OF an Important trust, and has an interest in
his work, will, by consistent example, firm yet
sonsidsrate treatment. and well directed aid and
encouragement, continually lead those under his
nhhrge toward the light of civilization.
The history Of all the progress which has been
made. in the civilization of the Indian. / think,
will disclose the fact that the beginning has been
religious teaching, followed by OF accompany
ing secular education, while the self-sacriicing
and piOus men and women who have aided In
lhts good work by their independent sndeayors
have for their reward the beneficent results Of
their labor, and the consciousness OF Christian
duty well performed. Their valuable services
should be fully acknowledged by all who, under
the laws are CHARGED with the control and mani
nnouaa1at nf nTtr Indian wanda Whit has haon 1
said indicates that in the present condition OF
the Indians no attempt should be made to apply
Afxed and unyielding plan Of action TO their
varied and varying needs and circumstances.
The Indian bureau. burdened as IL is with their
general oversight and with the details Of the es-
~kablishment, can hardly possess itself Of the
minute PARTICULARS OF cases needing treatment,
and thus the p~ropriety Of creating an instru-
mentality auxiliary to those already established
FOR the care OF the Indians suggests itself.
PROPOSED COMMISSION.
Recommend the passage or a law authorizing
lhe appointment of six commissioners three of
whom shall be detailed from the army, to be
charged with the duty OF q careful inspection
from time to time OF all the Indians upon our
reservations or subject to the care and control
nfthe government, with a view OF discovering
khear exact condition and needs, and deter
mining what steps shall be taken on behalf Of
sle direction of their self-support and complete
civilization; that they ascertain from such
Inspection what, IL any, of the reservations may
be reduced In area, and In such case what part,
not needed for Indian occupation, may be pEr-
chased by the government from the Indians and
disposed Of for their benefit: what, II any,
indians may, with their consent. be removed 20
other reservations, with q view OF their concen-
~tration, and the sale on their behalf OF their
abandoned reservations; what Indian lands now
held In common should be allotted in severally;
In what manner and to what extent the Indians
npon the reservations can be placed under the
protection of our laws and subjected to their
penalties, and which, If any, Indians should be
Invested with the right OF citizenship. The
powers and functions OF the commissioners In
regard TO these subjects should be clearly de-
nned, though they should, in conjunction With
she secretary of the interior, be given all the au-
shortly to deal definitely with the ques-
tions presented, deemed safe and consistent.
They should also be charged with the duty of
asCertaintng the Indians who might properly be
furnished with implements of agriculture and
OF what kind in what cases the support of the
government should be withdrawn: where the
present plan of distributing Indian supplies
should be changed; where schools may be es-
tablished and where discontinued: the conduct,
methods and fitness of agents in charge OF res
srvations; the extent TO which such reserva-
lions are occupied or intruded upon Dy, every I'M
authorized person, and generally all matters
relative to the welfare and management of the
Indians. They should advise with the secretary
Of the interior concerning these, letters OF detail
ln management, and he should be given power
to- deal with them fully. If he is NOT vested
wftA sueh power, this plan ~contempiates the
selection OF persons for commissioners who are
Interested in the Indian question. who have
p~xactical ideas on the subject of their treatment.
The expense of the Indian bureau during the
last fiscal year was more than $4,000, 600. l be-
heve much Of this expenditure may be saved
under the plan proposed; that it's economical
effects would be increased with its continuance:
that the safety of our frontier settlers would
be subserved under its operation. and that the
nation would be saved through its results from
khe imputation OF inhumanity, injustice and
acknowledgement. In order TO carry out the pol
Soy Of allotment of Indian lands In severalty
and when deemed expedient, it will be necessary
30 have surveys completed of the reservations,
and / hope that provision will be made for the
prosecution of this work. In May Of the pres
ent year q NAL portion of
THE CHIRICAHUA APACHES,
on the White Mountain reservation IN Arizona, |
left the reservation and committed q number of