Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-12-09

Il YIN .@
useless to dwell upon the wrongs Of the
Indians and as useless to indulge in the
heartless belief that because their wrongs
are revenged in their wi atrocious man.
ner, they should be exterminated. They
are within the care Of our Government
and their rights are, or should be pro-
tected from invasion By the solemn obi.
cations. They are properly enough called
the wards Of the Government, and
it should be borne in mind
that this guardianship involves
on our part efforts for the improvement Of
their condition and tie enforcement Of
their rights. There seemst to be 8 general
concurrence in the proposition that the III.
innate object Of THAR treatment should be
their civilization and citizenship. Fitted
By those to to keep in the march Of pro-
sress with the advanced civilization about
them they will readily assimila!e with the
mass Of our population assuming the re.
sponsibilities and resolving the protection
incident to this condition. The difficulty
appears to be in the selection of the means
to be employed toward the attainment Of
this result.
Our Indian population exclusive Of those
in Alaska, Is reported as numbering 300.
900, nearly all being located on lands set
apart for their use and occupation, aggre-
eating over $4,000, 900 of acres. These
lands are included in boundaries OF III
reservations Of different dimen.ions scat
tered in twenty-one States aud Territories
AT present, in great variations in climate
the Kind and quality Of their soils among
Indians upon these several reservations.
There exist the mos. marked dit.
t~erences in natural traits and disposition
aud in their progress toward civilization.
While some arc lazy. vicious aud
stupid others are Industrious, peace
full aud intelligent while q
portion of them are self supporting aud
independent, and have SO far advanced in
civilization that they make their own laws,
administered through officers Of their "
choices and educate their children in
schools of their establishment aud main
tensnce. Others still retain in squslor
and dependence almost the ssvsgery Of
their natural state. Ia dealing with this
question the desires manifested by the In.
diaus should be ignored. Here. again, We
find Q great diversity. With some TIE
tribal relation is cherished with the ut
most tensci,y, while its hold upon Others Is
considerably relaxed, the love Of home is
strong with all and yet there are
those whose attachment TO q par
ticular locality is by no means
unyielding. The ownership Of their lands
in severalty is much desirsd by some, while
BY others, and sometimes among the most
civilized, such o distribution would be bit.
terly opposed. The variation Of their
wants growing out OF and connected with
the character OF their several locations
should be regarded. Some are upon res
ervAtions most fit for grazing, but wi boat
focks or herds, and some on arabic land
have no agricultural implements. while
some reservations are double the size
necessary TO maintain the number OF In
dams now upon them. In a lew css's.
perhaps, they should be enlarged.
Add to all this the difference in
the administration Of the agencies
The same duties are devolvtd upon oil.
The dispositions Of the agents, and the
manner Of their contant with the Indiana.
have much to do with theI condition and
welfare. The agent who psriunctonly
performs his duty and slo'htulIy neslects
ell opportunity to accomplish their moral
and physical improvement, and tails to in
spire them with a desire Tor better things,
will accomplish 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 eN
ample, firm yet considerable treatment, and
we'll directed and encouragement, constant
" lead those under his charge toward The
light Of their enlranchisement. The hrs
tory OF all the progress which has been
made in the civilization Of the Indian !
think will disclose the fact the beginning
has been religious teaching, ioiiossd
by or accompanying secular education.
While the self-sacriticing and pious men
and women who have aided ia this good
work by their independent endeayor, have
for their reward the benefcent results Of
their lnoor and the consciousness Of Chris
tian duty well performed. Their valuable
services should be acknowledged by all
who under the law 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 attempts should be made 10 apply "a
fixed and u%nyielding plan OF scnon 20
their varied and varying needs and cir.
cumstances. The Indian Bureau, bur.
dened az it is with their general oversight
and with the detail OF the establishment.
can hardly possess itself OF the minnto
phases OF the particular cases needing
treatment and thus the project Of creating
instrumental auxilariss to those already
established for their care OF the Indians
suggests itself.
Az INDIAN COMMISSIONS.
/ recommend the passage OF a Law 81.
thorizing the appointment Of Elk commits
s~ioners, three Of whom shall be detailed
from the army, TO be charged with the duty
Of o careful inspection from time TO tirse
OF ell the Indians uron our reservations or
subject TO the care and control Of the
government, with q view Of discovering
their exact condition and needs. and de
termining what measures shsll be taken
on behalf OF the government 10 improve
their situation in the direction Of their
seltsuppot and complete civilization.
That rney ascertain from such inspection
what, If any, Of the reservations may bs re-
duced in area and in such cases which
part needed for Indian occupation may be-
purchased BY the Government for the 10
dams and disposed Of for their benefit. what,
il any, Indians may, with their c~onsen', DO
removed TO other reservations with a view
OF their concentration and the sale On
their behalf Of their abandoned reservs.
lions, what Indian lands now held
in common should be allotted in st,sral.y.
in what manne and to what extent tho
Indians upon the reservations can be-
placed under the protection Of our laws
aud subjected to thsir penalties. and which
If any Indians should b. invested With the
right Of citizenship. TheI powers srd
functions Of the commissioner in regard
10 the subjects sbond be clearly defined,
though they should, in conjunction With
the Secretary Of the Interior, be giun al,
the authority TO deal Afnitely with tie
onsstiona preseptsd deemed tSfe and con.