Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-08

| technical ofienses, especially under the psovi-
l sioas OF our acknowledgements law, render some
| the interests OF humanity as well as economy,
The district courts are now crowded with petty
Of CONVICTION, Of onIy Slight fine. While ei the
parties accused are harrassed by an enforced
| attendance upon courts held hundreds Of miles
| from their homes. II poor and f1endless they
| are obliged to remain in jail during months,
perhaps, that elapse before . session OF the
court is held, and are finally brought to trial
surrounded by strangers and with but little
real opportunity tor defense. In the meantime
frequently the marshal has charged against the
portation of the accused and the expense OF the
same, and for summoning witnesses before q
hI grand 95y a INC n sSIrG sas
large fees and travelling expenses, and the COM
missioner and district attorney have also made
'H Th,s s" abuse IN the Observation-Disclosures Of eur
criminal law should be remedied, and If the
plan above suggested Is not Practicahle, some
THE HOME pEPAKTMENrIrHE INDIAN ouEs-
The report of the Secretary Of the Interior,
containing an account Of the operations Of this
important Department, and much Interesting
Information, win be submitted Tor your consid-
Grafton.
The most intricate and difseult subject in
charge Of this Department Is the treatment and
management Of the Indians. am satisfied
that some progress may be noted In their con-
dition as . result or q prudent administration
of the present laws and regulations for their
control.
But il is submitted that there Is Q lack of fixed
purpose or policy on this subject, which should
be supplied. 1t Is useless to dilate upon the
wrongs of the Indians, and as useless TO indulge
in the heartless belief that because their wrongs
are revenged in their own atrOcious manner,
therefore 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 Governments: and il should be borne in
our pa .A efforts a iar tins }mnroyemen. Of
their condition and the enforcement of
their rights. There seems to be general concur
ject of their treatment should be their civiliza-
tiOn and citizenship. Fitted by these to keep
pace in the march OF progress will the ad vanced
civilization about them, they will readily as
simulate with the mass of our population, assum-
ing the responsibilities and receiving the protec-
tion incident to this condition.
The difficulty appears tn be in the selection of
the means TO be at present employed toward
the attainment of this result.
Our Indian population, exclusive of those in
Alaska, is reported rs mum boring 26O,OuO.
nearly all being located on lands set apart tor
their use and occupation, aggresating over one
hundred and thirty -four millions oil acres
These lands are Included in the boundaries of
one hundred and seventy-onc reservations of DIFF
ferent dimensions, scattered in twentyOEe Sta teS
and Territories, presenting great variations in
climate and in the kind and quality of their soils.
among the Inu1stnS upon these several reSSfNtS-
tons there exist the most marked differ
ences in natural traits ana disposition and
in their progress toward civilization. While
some are lazy. vicious, and stupid, others are
Industrious. peaceful, and intelligent; while u
portion of them sett-SuEpOrting ana inde-
pendent. and have so far advanced In ciyliza-
ton that they make their own laws, admins
tered through officers of their own choice, md
educate their children i'll schools OF their ow.l
rctai3 in squaior and depende nee, almost tae
savagery of their natural state.
In dealing with this question the desires
manifested by the Indians should no. be ig-
nored. Here. again, we find great diversity
With SOME the tribal relation il cherished with
the utmost tenacity. While it's mold upon others
is considerably reiaxed; the love of home is
strong with ALL and yet there are those whose
attachment TO particular locality is by no
in severalty is much desired by some, while by
others, and sometimes among the most civil
lied, such distribution would be bitterly OPP
posed.
The variation OF their wants, growing out Of
and connected with the character of their sev-
eral locations, should be regarded. Some are
without fiocks herds: aud some, ON arabic
land, have no agricultural implements; while
necessary To maintain the number of Indians
now upon them, in few cases perhaps, they
should be enlarged.
Add ali Tins the difference in the administr;a-
ton OF the agencies. While the same duties
are devOlved upon all, the disposition OF the
agents, and the manner of their contact with
the Indians have much to do with their condi-
tion and welfare. The agent who perfunctorily
performs his duties and siOthtully nesiects all
cal Improvement, and tails TO inspire them
with u desire tor better things. will conpiish
nothing in the direction OF their civilization;
while he who feels the burden of an important
trust, and has an interest in his work, will, by
consistent example. firm yet consider;ite treat
ment, and weil-direcied aid and encourage
ment constantly lead those under his charge
toward the light of their enfrsnctisAnent.
The history OF all the progress which has been
m siN ffskil.a yv.ti.
Will disclose the fact, that the beginning has
been religious teaching, followed by or accom-
pi'nying, secular education. While the sell.
sacrificing and pious men and women who have
aided In this GOOD work by their independent
endcayor, have for their reward the hcniticent
results OF their labor and the consciousness OF
Christian duty well performed, their valuable,
services should be fully acknowledged by all
who, under the law, are charged with the con.
troll and management. OF our Indian wards
W hat has been said indicates that in the.
present condition Of the Indians, no attempt
should be Made To apply fixed and unyieid-
ing plan Of action TO tneir varied and VARYING
needs and circumstances
Tne Indian Bureau, burdened as it is with
their general oversight and with the details OF
the estab Ishrnent, can hardly possess itself OF
the minute phases OF the particu lar eases need.
ing treatment; and thus tine propriety OF Great
ready established Tor the care OF the Indian sug-
gests itself.
NEW COMMISSION PROPOSED.
recommend the passage Of a law authoriz-
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 n
view of discovering their exact condition and
needs, and determining what steps shall be
taken on behalf OF the Government to improve
their situation in the direction OF their self
support and complete civilization; that they
ascertain from SUCH inspection what, if any, of
the reservations may he reduced In area, and
in such cases what part, not needed for Indian
occupation, may be purchased by the Govern
ment from The Indians, and disposed OF for
tl:eir beneht: what, ii any, Indians
may. with their consent, be re-
moved 10 other reservations, with q view OF
their concentration and the sale on their behalf
OF their abandoned reservations; what Indian
lands now held in common should be allotted In
severaity; In what manner and to what extent
tie Indians upon the reservations can be placed
under the protection OF Or laws and subjected
10 their penalties; and which, If any. Indians
snoaid be invested with the right Of citizepship
The powers and functions Of the commissioners
IN regard TO these subjects should be clearly
defined, though they should, in conjunction
with the Score iary Of the Interior be given all
the authority TO deal definitely with the Ques-
tons presented, deemed safe and consistent,
They should be also charged with the duty of
ascer;aining the Indians who might properly
be furnished with implements OF agriculture
and OF what kind; in what cases the suOOort OF