The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-10-10
10, THE INDIAN!
How the Lake Mohunk Con-
vention Regards Him.
= e L I'D II ~
Upon the Indian Question
from an Unexpected
Quart r.

LAKE MoHUNK, N. Y, October Sat tn
morning session OF the Lake MOhunk In
dian civilization conference the business
committee presented the following for dis
! cussion: 1.-THE Indian question can never
be settled except On the principal OF iustic'
and equal rights" In it's settlement all thu
property rights of the Indians must bt
sacredly guarded and all obligations Of The
Indians faithfully fulfilled, either according
to the. emo of past treaties or by pro
visions affording a full equivalent therefor
Keeping this steadily in view, the OBJ ect OF
all legislative and executive action for the
future should be the absorption and not
the isolation OF the Indians. The abroga.
ton OF the reservation system. the ultimate
discontinuance OF annuities, the subsection
CT the In, ian as a citizen to the law and
his protection as a citizen by the law, the
i~ntermingling OF Indians as American citi-
zens with the white race and opening all
territory in the United States without ex-
ceptiOn or reservation to civilization.
These objects to be pursued Immediately,
vigorously and Continuously. The meas
ures recommended TO, this end are to en-
brace the following:
First-The immediate admissionof the
Indian to all the rights and privileges of
citizenship, including suffrage.
Second-The immediate measures for al
lotment OF land to all Indians in severalty
with grazing lands in common are necessa-
~, and with legal titles inalienable for a
term OF years.
rhird-Purchases thereupon by the
United States of all unalloted land at the
appraised valuation and immediate open
ing OF it, when SO purchasedfor settlement.
Fourth-Setting apart in the treasuryfor
the benefit of Indians the cash value OF
such appraised and purchased lands.
Fifth-Immediate negotiations with all
indian tribes to modify or set aside what
ever treaties constitute obstacles to such
policy.
S~ixth-Every reasonable effort to secure
the consent OF the Indians to the policy,
but if in any case the consent OF the tribe
cannot be obtained after a reasonable time
and effort then its execution without their
consent, but with scrupulo1s regard to their
best interests and highest welfare.
Seventh-If there be any wild tribes alb
solutely incapable OF being thus brought in
to harmony with civilization, placing them
under such guard as will prevent the posi-
bility of Indian outbreak and their compui-
sorry education.
Eighth The maintenance OF Indian
agencies or some equivalent representatives
OF the United States Government to look
0lUC uC AAtClC6to LII " pIoUCCU UllS
rights of the Indians, their lives and such
special protection as may be needed.
Nineth-The conference rea firms it's ap-
prevail Of the provisions OF the Coke bill
for the allotment OF lands in severalty as
one method embodying in legislation the
principles above stated.
Tenth-The present system of Indian edu-
cation should be enlarged and q m D
hensive plan adopted, which would place
all Indian children in the industrials schools.
Indians should be hrrusiit lis far as
possible under preparation for sell support
and a sufficient number OF farmers and
other industrial teachers provided to in
struct them.
Eleventh-We are unalterably opposed
to the removal of Indians from their es-
tablished homes as iuhuman. and to mass
ing them together in one territory as inju-
rious to the Indians, and an impeachment
to their civilization,
The discussion was opened by Gen. Arm
strong. He was utterly opposed, he said.
to the immediate admission to citizenship
ii the Indians, but gave his consent to the
remaining propositions. Mr.. Brooks moved
to strike from the preamble the words con-
corning ~intermingling with the whites as apt
90 be misunderstood and produce discord.
Or Kendall favored striking out also the
NOFu absorption. Dr. SCrleDy SalQ The
meaning was Territorial intermingling and
was unobjectionable. Hon. j. H. Oberly,
superintendent of the Indian schools,
strongly opposed the words referred to, and
argued that they were inconsistent with the
endorsement Of the Coke bill which favors
the present system OF reserva-
tions, with allotment of
lands in severalty on such reservations.
Senator Dawes, the chairman of the Senate
on Indian affairs, made an ad-
dress or the problem, speaking in warm
praise Of the excellent work of the Monunk
conference in influencing public opinion in
the right direction. He referred to the de-
cided progress made in the Indian cause
since the various Indians rights associa-
tions had organized. He believed Congress
would speedily pass the Coke bill or a
measure, the Sioux bill and other
needed legislation. These measures would
secure the a~lloting of lands in severalty,
education and, finally, citizen
ship. Mr.. Dawes has refrained from taking
any part in the discussions OF the conference.
Miss Alice Fletcher reviewed the action OF
the Government towards the Indians in
the matter OF treaties. Hon. William H.
Lyon, OF Brooklyn, OF the board of Indian
commissioners, spoke on the necessity of
agricultural instruction..
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