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

a bLACA NAOlSS wv SfNh%N ~ StCAt J"
atrocious manner, therefore they should be eX-
terminated. They are within care Of our gov
eminent, and the I rights are, or should be, pro
tected from invasion by the most solemn obi.
cations. They are properly enough called thu
wards of the government, and 1t 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
PROPOSE ION that the ultimate object Of their
treatment should be their civilization and citi-
zenship, fitted by these to keep pace with the
march of progress. With the advanced c~iviliZa-
tion about them they will readily assimilate
with the mass of our population, assuming the
responsibilities and receiving the protection
Incident to this condition. The difficulty APP
pears TO be in the selection of the means TO be
at present employed toward the attainment Of
this result.
CUR INDIAN POPULATION,
exclusive of those in Alaska, is reported as num-
bering $50. 900, nearly all being located on
lands set apart for their use and occupation, ag-
gregating over 13h0O0,0 o of acres. These
lands are included IN the boundaries Of III res
e~rvations 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
tions and in their progress toward civilization.
While soIae are lazy, vicious and stupid, others
are Industrious, peaceful and intelligent. While
a portions Of them are self-supporting and indie
pendent and have so far advanced in civilization
that they make their own laws, which are adj
ministered through officers of their own choice,
and educate their children in schools of their
own establishment and maintenance, others
remain In squalor and dependence, almost the
sayagery of their natural STATE. In dealing with
this question. the desires manifested by the
Indians should not be ignored. Here, again. we
and a great diversity. With some the tribal
relation is cherished with the utmost tenaCity,
while its hold upon others Is considerably re-
laxed. The love of home is strong with all, and
yet there are those whose attachment to a par
ticular locality is by no means unyielding. The
IVA Fhnfr InNHu IN nnua ~ do yNnNNnh
desired by some, while by others, and some
times again the most civilized, such a distribu-
lion 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 tt for grazing, but without f1Ocks or herds,
ana some on arabic lands have no agricultural
implements, while some OF the reservations are
double tue size necessary to maintain the num-
Der OF Indians now uDon them. In a few years,
perhaps, they should be enlarged. Add to all
shis the difference in the administration Of the
agencies, while the same duties are devolved
upon all, 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 pertunctorily performs his duty
and siothtully neglects all opportunity to all
vance their moral and physical Improvement,
and fails 10 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
sonstderate treatment and well directed aid and
encouragement, continually lead those under his
charge 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-sacrifciug
and pious men and women who have aided in
khis good work by their independent endeavors
have for their reward the beneticent results of
their labor, and the consciousness OF Christian
duty well performed. Their valuable services
AA-..Il -. RAl1 -. L-.. ~ .--l-
the laws, are charged with the control and man
Rgement OF our Indian wards. What has been
said indicates that In the present condition of
khe indians no attempt should be made to apply
Affixed and unyielding plan of action 90 their
varied and varying needs and circumstances.
The Indian bureau. burdened as it is with their
general oversight and with the details Of the es-
k~ablishment, can hardly possess itself Of the
minute particulars Of cases needing treatment,
and thus the propriety of creating an instru-
mentality auxiliary to those already established
Tor the care OF the Indians suggests itself.
PROPOSED COMMISSION.
Recommend the passage of a law authorizing
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
their exact condition and needs, and deter
mining what steps shall be taken on behalf of
she direction of their self-support and complete
civilization: that they ascertain from such
inspection what, If any, OF the reservations may
be reduced In area, and In such case what part,
not needed for Indian occupation, may be pur-
chased by the government from the Indians and
disposed of for their benefit: what, IL any,
indians Lay, with their consent, De removed 10
other reservations, with a view of their concen-
~trati0n, and the sale on their behalf OF their
abandoned reservations; what Indian lands now
held In common should be allotted In seyerally;
IN what manner and TO what extent the Indians
gpon the reservations can be placed under the
profession Of our laws and subjected to their
penalties, and which, IL 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-
aned, though they should. in conjunction With
she secretary of the interior. be given all the au-
thoriSy to deal definitely with the Ques-
kions presented, deemed safe and consistent.
They should also be charged with the duty OF
Ascertainsng The Indians who might properly be
furnished with implements OF agriculture and
Of what kind: in what cases the support of the
government should Pc withdrawn: where the
presest plan of distributing Indian supplies
should be changed. where schools may be es-
tRblished and where discontinued: the conduct.
methods and fitness Of agents IN charge of res
srvatious; the extent to which such reserva-
lions are occupied or intruded upon by every UNI
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 or detail
In management, and he should be given bower
hn, deal with them fully. IL he is NOT vested
selection Of persons for commfssionofs who are
Interested In the Indian question, who have
practical ideas on the subject OF their treatment.
The expense Of the Indian bureau during the
last fiscal year was more than SO. 300, 600. / be-
heve much OF this expenditure may be saved
under the plan proposed: that It's economical
effects would be increased with It's 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
khc imputation OF inhumanity. injustice and
mismanagement. In order to carry out the pol
ICY OF allotment OF Indian lands In severalty
and when deemed expedient, il viii; be necessary
10 have surveys completed Of the reservations,
md 1 hope that provision will be made for the
prosecution OF this work. In May of the pres
8nt year a small portion Of
THE CHmICAHUA ApAcHEs,
on the White Mountain reservation in Arizona,
left the reservation aud committed q number of
murders and depredations upon the settlers In
shat neighborhood. Though prompt and ener-
ketic action was taken by the military, the rene