Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-12-17

LesGrVatlQhS most MT Tor grazing, bat without
HOOKS or nerds, and some arabic land having
no agricultural implements, while some of the
reservations are double the size necessary to
maintain the number of Indians now upon them
La a Jew cases perhaps they should be enlarged
Add to all this difference in The administration of
the agencies; while She same duties are devolved
upon all, the disposition of the agents and the
manner OF thelr control with the Indians have
much 10 60 with their condition and welfare.
Inc agent who perfuncterily performs his duty
ana Siotnf0lly lteglectS all opportunities to adj
vance their moral and physical improvement and
TAILS 10 inspire them with desire for better
things VII accomplish nothing in the direction
Of their civilization; while he who feels the burden
q us important trust and has an interest in his
y UrH, VIII by consistent example from vet cou-
siIeiate treatment AMI we directed aid and en-
r.'urag -ment, COM family lead those under his
:hsrSe toward the light OF their enfranchise-
nltut.
The history of all the progress which has been
made IN the civilization of the Indian, l think
VIII disclose the fact that the beginning has
been religious teachings followed by an accom-
pauyIng secular education while the self-Sacri-
Ecnl-- and piOuS men and women who haya ai6ei
in this good WORK by their independent endeav-
CrS have for their reward the benefcent results
OF their labor and the consciousness of Christian
duty wei performed Their valuable services
saouid te fully ackno vledged by all who, under
the laws are charged with the control and man
aeeinsnt OF our Indian wards.
What J. IS teen said indicates that in the pres
eos cu''olt on OF the Indians no attempt should
e mace 10 Apply a fixed aud unyielding plan of
action 20 their varied aid varying needs and
crc instances, and he I..cisn bureau, burdened
a. Is with their general oversight and with the
details OF the est b SRi.et. can hardly prs seSS
It's IL of the minute . rtculars OF the cases
ne' dis treatment aud Jhus the propriety or
~ e"ung an luStrunentality auxiliary 10 thoss
'hrvadY established for tie care of the Indians
ug&eSts ltSe f.
recommend the passage of a law authorzing
the appointment of six Commissioners. three Of
whom shall be detailed from the army to be
Charged with the duty of a careful inspection
from time to time, OF all The Indians upon our
~ Ihc government with q view of discovering
tie'r exact condition and needs, and determining
What steps shall be taken benalf OF the govern
Ineut 10 improve their situation in the direction
OF teejr self support and complete civilization;
Cat they are certain from such inspection what,
IT my, reservation may be reduced in area, and
va such cases what part not needed for Indian
occupation may be purchased by the government
frotu the Indians and disposed OF for their benefit
What if any Indans-may with their consent be
removed TO other IeServationS with view of their
concentration and the same on their behalf of
theic abandoned reservations. What Indian lands
now held in common should be allotted in sever
atty IN what manner and to what extent Indians
Upon the reservation can be placed under the pro-
lection Of our laws and subjected to their penal
ties and which Gf any, Indians should be invested
WITH the right OF citizenship The powers and
functions of the commissioners in regard to these
subjects should be clearly defined, though they
Should be In conjunction with the secretary OF
the interior, be given all the authority to deal
definitely with the question presented and deem.
ed safe and consistent
They should be also charged with the duty
OF aScertaining the Indians who might prop
rly DO furnished with implements of ag-
rculture and OF what kind, and in what
'7lSes the support of the government should
be withdrawn; where the present plan of dis
tTlbujlsn OF Indian supplies should be changed,
where schools may be established, and where dis
continued the conduct methods and fitness of
agents in charge of reservations the extent TO
which reservations are occupied or intrudea upon
by every unauthorized person. and generally all
matters relating TO the welfare and improvement
Of the Indians.
They should advise with the secretary Of the
the interior concerning these matters of detail in
management, and he should be given power 60
deal with them fully, il he is not invested with
such powers. This plan contempiates the Selec-
ton OF persons for commissioners who are inter
e:ted in the Indian question, who have practical
ideas on the subject OF their treatment.
THE EXPENSE OF THE INDIAN BUREAU
during the lest fiscal year was more than six and
ouehaf million dollars. l believe much of this
expenditure may be saved under the pian pro-
posed that its economical effects would be in-
creased with it's continuance; so the safety OF our
frontier settlers would be suhverted under its
operation, and that the nation would be saved
through its results from the lmporTauons or
inhumanity, injustice and acknowledgement in
order to carry cut the policy OF allotment OF the
Indian lands in severalty, and when deemed ex-
piete of the reservation, and l hope that a pro
vision will be made for the prosecution of this
work
THE APACHEs.
In May Of the present year, small portion Of
the Chiricahua Apaches, on the White noun
tain alton, in Arizona left the reservation
and com mitted number Of murders and depre.
cations upon the settlers in that neighbOrhood
Though prompt and energetic action was taken
hy the military, the renegadeS eluded capture
and escaped into Mexico the formation OF LAT
country through which they passed, through ac-
quaintance with the same, the speed of their
escape and tae mannsr in which they scattered
and concealed themselves among. the noun-
tanS, near the scene OF their outrage'
put our soldiers at a great disadvantage in their
efforts to capture, though the expectation is still
entertained that they will be Ultimately tai ken and
punished for their crimes The threatening ana
disorderly conduct of
THE cHEYEENEs
of the Indian Territory, early last GUNNER,
,.aused considerable alarm and Uneastness.. In
veStgatiOn proved that their threatening attitude
was due in great measure to the occupation OF
the land of their reservation by immense herds
of cattle which their owners claimed we're right
fully theirs under certain leases made by the In
dianS.
Such occupation appearing upon examination
to be unlawful. and notwithstanding their losSe.
the intruders requested to remove with
cattle from the lands of the Indians by executive
proclamation. The enforcement OF this proc
iamation had the effect of restoring peace ano
order among the Indians and they are now quiet
and will behave By an executive order lssueO
February ~ 1885, by my predecessor, a portion
Of the tract of country in the territory known az
the
OLD wINNEBAGo AND CROW CREEK RESERVATION,
was directed to be restored to the public domain
and opened to settlement under the government
and laws Of the United States and large number
of persons entered upon those lands.
This action alarmed the Sioux Indians who
claimed the territory as belonging to Cheir reser-
walton under the treaty of 1868. This claim was
determined after careful investigation to be well
founded and consequently the executive order
referred to was by proclamation OF April H.
1885 declared to be imperative and Of no effect
and all persons upon the land were warned 70
leave This warning has been substantially COM
piled with.
THE PUBLIC DOMAIN
had its origin La cessions Of land by the states to
the general government. The first cesSion was
made by the state or New York, and the largest
which in area exceeded all others by the state of
Virginia. The territory, the proprietorship Of
which became thus vested into the general gov
erument sextendedtfrom the Western lipe.of Penn
tsylvania to the Mississippi river. These patri-
otto donations of the states were incumbered,
with 10 condition except that they should be
held and used for the common benefit of the
United States.
BY purchase with the common fund OF all the
people additions were made TO this domain until it
extended to the northern line of Mexico the Pa
cific Ocean and the Polar Sea. The original trust
for the common benefit Of the United States at
ached to all the execution of that trust the policy
of many homes rather than large estates was
adopted by the government. That these might
be easily obtained and be the abode Of security
and contentment, the laws for the acquisition