St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-12-09

| the government. This abuse in the admins
| tration of our criminal law should be re-
moved, and if the plan above suggested is not
practicable, some other should be devised.
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
Improvement i'm Treatment of I'm
| dians. but "a Fixed Policy Needed.
The report of the secretary OF the
Interior containing an account OF the
| operations of this important DEPART
ment and much interesting information,
will be submitted for your consideration. The
most intricate and difficult subject in charge
| of this department is the treatment and man
ageInent of the Indians. l am satisfied that
some progress may be noted in their condition
as result of a prudent administration OF the
present laws and regulations for their con-
troll. But it is submitted that their is lack of
fixed purpose of policy on this
subject which should be supplied 1t is use
| less to dilate upon the wrongs OF the Indians,
and as useless to indulge in the heartless be-
| lief that, because their wrongs are revenged
in their own atrociOus manner, they should
be exterminated. They are within the care
| of our government and their rights are, or
| should be, protected from invasion by the
most solemn obligations. They are properly
| enough, called the wards of the government,
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 con-
cum ence in the proposition that the ultimate
object of their treatment should be their
civilization and citizenship, fitted by these to
keep pace in the march of progress with the
| advanced civilization about them. They will
readily assimilate with the mass of our popu-
latiOn, assuming the responsibilities and re-
| ceiving the protection incident to this condi-
ton The difficulty appears to be in the
| selection of the means to be at present EN-
ployed toward the attainment OF this result.
| THE INDIAN POPULATION,
| exclusive of those in Alaska, Is reported as
numbering ESQ 900, nearly all being located
on lands SET apart for their use and Occupa-
| ton, aggregating over 134.000.000 acres.
| These lands are included in the boundaries of
III reservations of different dimensions, scat
tered i'll twenty-one states and territories,
| presenting great varieties in climate and the
| kind ard quality Of the soil Among the In
| dians upon these several reservations there
exist the most marked differences in natural
| traits and dispositions in their progress to-
ward civilization. While some are lazy, vi
| cious and stupid, others are industrious,
peaceful and Intelligent. While a portion
of them are self-supporting and Independent,
! and have so far advanced that they make
| their own laws administered through officers
OF their own choice, and educate their chill
| dren in schools of their own establishment
| ana InaluCCIidncG, OLuSES SIll Gclisiu III
squalor and dependence almost the savagery
| of their natural state. In dealing with this
| question the desires manifested by the In
| dams should not be ignored. Here, again,
| we find great diversity. With some the
| tribal relations are cherished with the utmost
| tenacity, while their hold upon others is con-
| siderably relaxed.
| THE LOVE OF HOME
is strong with all, and yet there are those
yryhn 1T n q
| by no means unyielding. The ownership of
| their land in severalty is much desired by
| some, while by others, and sometimes 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 locations,
| should be regarded. Some are upon reser-
vations most fit for Prazing, but without focks
| or herds, and come on arabic land
| have no agricultural implements, while some
| Of the reservations are double the size neces =
| sary to maintain the number of Indians now
| upon them. In a few cases, perhaps, they
| should be enlarged. Add to all this tn e
| difference in the administration of the agen-
| cieS. While the same duties are devolved
upon all, the disposition of the agents and
the manner of their contact with the In
dams have much to do with their condition
and welfare. The agent who perfunctoriiy
performs his duty and slothfully neglects all
| opportunity to advance their moral and physi-
| cal Improvement and fails to inspire them with
| q desire for better things will accomplish
nothing in the direction of their civilization,
while he who feels the burden of an impor-
| tant trust and has an interest in his work,
will by consistent example, firm yet consider
ate treatment and well directed aid and en-
enlargement, constantly lead those under his
| charge toward the light Of enfranchisement.
| 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 in religious teachings,
| followed by or accompanying secular educa-
! ton, while the self-Sacrifcing and pious men
| and women who have aided in this good work
by their Independent endeavors have for
| their reward the beneficent results of their
labor and the consciousness of Christian duty
| well performed. Their valuable services
should be freely acknowledged by all who
| wonder that the laws are charged with the
| control and management of our Indian wards.
| What has been said indicates that in the
present condition of the Indians no attempt
| should be made to apply a fixed and unyield-
ing plan of action to their varied and varying
needs and circumstances. The Indian bureau,
| burdened as it is with their general oversight
| and with the details Of the establishment, can
hardly possess itself of the minute particrl-
lars of cases needing treatment, and
thus the propriety of creating an
|
ready established for the care of
Indians suggests itself. I recommend the
| passage of law authorizing the appoint
| ment of
SIX COMMISSIONERS,
| three of whom shall be detailed from the
army, to be charged with the duty of care
full inspection from time to time of all the
Indians upon our reservations, or subject to
| the care and control OF the government, with
a view of discovering their exact condition
and needs, and determining what steps shall
| be taken on behalf Of the government to i'm
prove their situation in the direction of their
self-support and complete civilization
| that they ascertain from such inspection
which, if any, of the reservations may
| be reduced in area, and in such case what
| part not needed for Indian occupation, may
| be purchased by the government from the
| Indians and disposed of for their benefit;
| what, if any, Indians may, with their con-
| sent, be removed to other reservations, with
| a view of their concentration, and on their
| behalf, of their abandoned reservations, what
| Indian lands now held in common should be
| allotted in severalty; in what manner and to
| what extent the Indians upon the reserva-
| lions 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 sub
| jects should be clearly defined, though they
should. in conjunction with the secretary OF
| the Interior be given ali the authority to deal
| definitely with the questions presented as
| deemed safe and consistent. They should be
| also charged with the duty of ascertaining
the Indians who might properly be furnished
with implements of agriculture and of what
kind; in what cases the support of the govern
ment should be withdrawn; where the present
plan of distributing Indian supplies
| should be changed; where schools
may be established and where discontinued;
the conduct, methods and fitness of agents in