Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-12-17
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.

INTERIOR DEPARTMENT..
The report Of the secretary OF the interior con
tanning an account OF the operations ef TINS I'M
portant department and much interesting 1nIor-
nation will be submitted for your consideration.
The most intricate and difficult subject In charge
OF this department Is
THE TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF INDIANS.
am satisfied that some progress may be noted
in their condition result OF prudent ADMIN
istration Of the present laws and regulations Tor
their control.
But it is submitted that there is lack Of q fix
ed purpose OF policy on this subject which should
be supplied. II is useless to dllate upon the
wrosgs of the Indians, and as useless 20 lnourSe
in the Eeartless belief that because their wrongs
are revenged in their own attreclous measures
therefore they should be extermihated. They
are within the care OF our government, ana tnelr
rights are, or SHOULD be projected from invasion
by the most solemn obligation. They are prop
erly enough called the wards OF the government.
And it should be borne in mind that this guaro"
ianshp involves on our part, effort for the i'm
proveInent of their condition and the enforce
ment of their ri=htS-
There seems to be a general concurrence in the
proposition that the ultimate object Of their
treatment should be their civilization and citizen
ship. Fitted by these to keep pace ia the march
of progress with the advanced civilization about
them will readily aSsimilate with the mass Of
population assuming the responsibilities necessary
to the protection incident to their condition The
difficulty appears to be in the selection OF the
means to be at present employed toward the at
tainment of this result.
Our Indian population exclusive Of those in
Alaska, is reported as numbering 260,0OO nearly
all being located on land set apart for their use
and occupation, aggregating over 134.O0ODOO OF
acres. These lands are included in the boundar
les of III reservations of different dimensions
scattered in II states and territories presenting
great variation in climate and the kind and quail
ity Of their soils. Among Indians upon these
several reservations there exist the most marked
differences in national traits and diSpo-
stion and in their progress towards civilization.
While some are lazy, vicious and stubborn, others
are Industrious peaceful and intelligent, while a
portion of them are self supporting and indie
pendent, and have so far advanced in civilization
that they made their own laws. administered
through officers Of their choice. and edu-
Gated their children in schools of their own eS-
tabshment and maintenance. Others still re-
tain in squallor and dependence almost the saw
agery of their natural state.
In dealing with this question the. desire mani
Tested by the Indians should not be ignored. Here
again We find great diversity. With some Of the
the tribal relations is cherished the utmost te
nacity, while its hold upon others Is considerably
relaxed. The love of home is strong within all
and yet there are those whose attachment to
particular Gociality is by unyielding. The
ownership of their land in severalty is much de-
sired by some while by others, and sometimes by
all the most civilized such distribution would be
bitterly opposed
The variation of their wants growing out of and
connected with the character Of their several 10