River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-12-10

/ tOrney nave also made tnbr tndf6ts HSAluat
the government. This abuse in the admnis-
tration of our criminal law should be re-
moved, and Ii the plan above suggested Is not
practicable, some other should be devised.
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
Improvement in Treatment Of sn-
dians. but IA FIXED Policy Needed.
The report of the secretary On The
interior. containing an account of tae
operations OF this important depart
neut and much interesting information.
viii be submitted for your consideration. The
most intricate aud difficult subject in charge
OF this department Is the treatment ana man
agcmeut OF the Indians. am satisfied that
some progress may he noted in their condition
rs 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,
aud as useless to indulge in the heartlrss be-
lief that, because their wrongs are reVeugod
in their own atrOclouS manner, they should
be eNterminated. They are within the care
OF our government and their rights are,
should be, protected from Invasion by the
most solemn obligations. They are, properly
enough, called the wards of the government,
ana it should be horne in mind
that this guardianship involves ON our
part efforts for the Improvement
their rights. There seems to be general con
curIeuce 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 ussimilate with the mass of our popu-
Iation, assuming the responsibilities and ra-
ceiviug the protection incident to this coudi-
ton. The difficulty appears TO be in the
selection of the means To be at present en-
nlOVed toward the attainment OF THIS result.
THE INDIAN POPULATION,
exclusive of those i'm ALASKA, IS reported as
numbering ESQ 900, nearly all being located
on lands set apart for their use and occupa-
ton, aggrcgatng over 1000. 0U0 acres
These lands are included in the boundaries of
Ill reservations OF different dimensions, scat
tered i'll twenty-0ne states and territories
presenting great varieties in climate and the
kind and quality of the soil Among the In
dams upon these several reservations there
exist the most marked differences in natural
traits and dispositions III their progress to-
/ ward civilization. While some are lazy, VI
cious and stupid, others are Industrious
peaceful and intelligent While Il portion
of them are self-suppOrting and independent
and have SO tar advanced that they make
their own laws, admin stored through officers
OF their own choice, and educate their chill
dren in schools of their own establishment
and maintenance, others still remain in
/ SqualOr and dependence almost the saVagcry
Of their natural state. In dealing with this
question the desires manifested by the In
dams should not be ignored. Here, again
we find a great diversity with some the
tribal relations are cherished with the utmost
tenacty, while theif hold upon others is con
siderably relaxed.
THE LOVE OF HOME
is strong with all, and yet there are those
whose attachment to particular locality Is
/ by no means unyielding. The ownership OF
/ their land in seyeralty is much desired ny
some, while 10y 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 lit for grazing, but without flocks
or herds, and some on arabic land
have no agricultural implements, while some
of the reservations are double the size nece5
sary to maintain the number of Indians now
upon them. In few cases, perhaps, they
should be enlarged. Add to all this the
difference in the administration of the agen-
cies While the same duties are deVolyed
upon all, the disposition of the agents ana
the manner of their contact with the In
dians have much to do with their condition
and welfare. The agent who pertuuctortly
performs his duty and slothfuly neglects all
opportunity to advance their moral and phySi-
cal Improvement and fails to inspire them with
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-
couragement, constantly lead those under his
charge toward the light of enfranchisement.
The history of
ALI. 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-
s NH f-gaprifipipU and mons
and women who have aided in this good work
by their independent endcaVors nave Tor
their reward the benefcent results of their
LABOR and the consciousness OF CHRISTIAN duty
well performed. Their valuable services
should lie 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 Il fixed ana unNield-
iur plan of action TO their varied and varying
needs and circumstances. The Indian bureau,
burdeued as it IS with their general oversight
ana with the details of the establishments. can
hardly possess itself og the minute particu-
lars of cases needing treatment. and
thus the prOpriety OF creating an
instrumentality auxiliary to those al
ready established for the care OF
Indians suggests itself. l recommend the
passage of a law authorizing the appoint
ment of
SIX COMMISSIONERS,
three of whom shall be detailed from the
army to be charged with the duty OF a care
full inspection from time to time OF all the
Indians upon our reservations, or suoJect 20
the care and control of the government Win
a view OF discovering their exact CONDITION
and needs and determining what steps shall
he taken on behalf of the government To IN
prove their situation in the direction OF their
self-SuppOrt and complete cNlhlatloni
that they ascertain from such inspection
IL u, at
he reduced in area, and il Such case what
part, not needed for Indian occupation, may
he purchased by the government from the
Indians and disposed of for their Denenti
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 De
allotted in severalty; in what manner and TO
what extent the Indians upon the reserya--
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
tine interior, be given all 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 VINO tnigHt properly % iuFIllsHeo
with implements OF agriculture and OF what
kind; in what cases the support of the govern
meut 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
charge of reservations, the extent TO which
such reservations are occupied or iRtruded
upon by unauthorized persons, and generally
all matters relative to the welfare and i'm
provement of the Indians. They should ad-
wise with the secretary of the interior con-
corning these letters of detail in manage
ment, and he should be given power 10 deal
with them fully. If he is not vested with
such power, this plan conIemplates the Sc
lection OF persons Tor commissioners who are
interested in the Indian question, and who