Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1885-12-18
q, and II the plan above Euggt
ble some other should be dew
THE INTERIOR.
AN IMPORTANT DEPARTMENT
eport of the secretary OF tt

Inc report OF tne secretary OF the interior,
containing an account of the operations Of this
important department and much interesting
information, will be submitted for your con-
sideration. The most Intricate and difficult
subject in charge OF this department is the
treatment and manaCement OF the Indians.
am satisfied that some progress may be noted In
their coudi ton result of prudent admin
5strat1on OF the present laws and regulations on
their control. But it is submitted that there
Is lack OF a. fixed purpose OF policy on this SUBJ
Ject which should be supplied. Ii is useless to
dslat .s upon the wrongs OF the Indians and as
useless to indulge In the heartless belief that,
because their wrongs are reveuged in their own
atrocious manner, therefore they should be ey-
terminated. They are within care OF our gov
eminent. and their rights are should be, pro-
tected from Invasion by the most solemn obi
Kations. They are properly enough called the
wards OF the government. and it should be borne
III 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
treatment should be their civilization and citi-
zenship, fitted by these to keep pace with the
march Of progress. WITH the advanced civi7iza-
tion about them they will readily assimila5e
with the mass OF our population, assuming tho
responsibilities and receiving the protection
incident to this condition. The difficulty ap-
at present employed toward the attainment Of
this result
OUR INDIAN POPULATION,
berlng 100000, nearly all being located on
Lands set apart FOR their use and occupation az
gregating over 134o0O,0o0 Of acres. These
lands are included IN the boundaries Of III res
ervations OF different dimensions scattered in
t~enty-one states and territories presenting
great variations ia the climate and the kind and
several reservations there exists the most
marked difference in natural traits and DISPOSE
t1ons and in their progress. toward civilization.
While some are lazy. vicious and stupid; others
De2Cofll
portion of them are self-supporting and indie
pondens and have so far advanced In civ,iza.iu
roinistered 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
savagery Of their natural slate. III dealing with
this question, the desires manifested by tha
Indians should not be ignored. Here again. we
find great diversity. With some the tribal
relation is cherished with the utmost tenaoity,
while its hold upon others is considerably re-
Taxed; The love Of home Is strong with all. and
yee there are those whose attachment to par
t1cular locality 1s by no means unyieldins. The
ownership Of their lands in sevelaltv is much
desired by some, while by others, and some
times again the most civilized. such a distribu-
ton 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 age upon reservations
most tit for grazing, but without iocks or herds,
ana SOMA on arabic lands have no agricultural
Implements, while some Of the reservations are
double ti,e size necessary to mainta the NUM-
Der of Indians now upon them. In a few years,
perhaps, they should be enlarged. Add to ali
this the difference in the administration Of the
agencies, while tho same duties are devolved
upon all, the disposition OF the agents and the
manner Of their contact with tho Indians have
much to do with their
" CONDITION AND WELFARE.
The agent who perfunctorily performs his duty
and slothfully neglects all opportunity to ad-
vance their moral and physical improvement,
and fails to inspire them with desire for better
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
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, I think,
will disclose the fact that The beginning has been
RELIGIOUS teaching, followed by OF accompany
Ing. secular education while the self-sacriticing
and pious men and women who have aided in
this good work by their Independent enIeavors
have for their reward the benefcent results Of
their labor. and the consciousness Of Christian
duty well performed. Their VARIABLE services
should be fully acknowledged by ali who. under
The laws; are charged with the control and man
agement OF our Indian wards. What has been
said indicates that in the present condition Of
the Indians no attempts shonid be made to apply
Q fixed and unyieldinG plan of action 80 their
varied and varying needs and circum stances.
The Indian bureau hnr:lsned as It is with their
tablishrnent, can hardly possess itself OF the
minute particulars OF cases needing treatment
mentality AUXILIARY TO those already established
for the care OF the Indians suggests itself.
PROPOSED COMMISSION. 3z$.iE
recommend the passa4e OF 9 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
OF the government, with a view OF discovering
their exact condition and needs. and deter
mining what steps shall be taken on behalf OF
the government 70 improve their situation In
the direction OF their self-support and complete
civilization; that they ascertain from such
inspection what II any, OF The reservations may
be reduced In ares, and in snch case what part,
not needed for Indian occupation, may be pur.
chased BY the governmens from tine Indians and
disposed OF for their benefit; what Il any,
Indians may, with their consent. be removed 20
other EoseEvattona. With view Of their concen-