The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-09

TO this condition. The difficulty appears TO De
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 as numbering 260. oO0,
nearly oil being located on lands
set apart for their use and occupation.
millions of acres. These lands are included in
the boundaries of one hundred and seventy-one
reservations of different dimensions, scattered
IN twenty-one States and Territories, pre-
sentlng great variations in climate and In the
kind and quality of their soils. Among the In
dams upon these several reservations there exist
the most marked differences in natural traits and
disposition, and in their progress toward civiliza
ton While some are lazy, vicious and stupid,
others are Industrious peaceful and intelligent;
while portion of them are selfsupporting and
independent and have so far advanced in clvlliza-
ton that they make their own laws. administered
through officers of their own choice. and educate
their children in schools of their own establish
ment and maintenance others still retain, in
sQualor and dependence, almost the savagery or
their natural state. In dealing with this ques-
ton the desires manifested by the Indians should
not be ignored. Here again we find great d.
versity. With some the tribal relation is cher
ished with the utmost tenacity. while its hold
upon others is considerably relaxed. The love
of home is strong with all, yet there are those
whose attachment to a particular Locality Is Dy
lands in severalty is much desired by
some, while by others, and some
times, again, the most civilized such
distribution would be bitterly opposed
The variation of their wants, growing out OF
and connected with the character of their sew
eral locations, should be regarded. Some are
upon reservations most fit for grazing but with
out hocks or herds, and some, on arabic land,
have no agricultural implements; while some of
the reservations are double the size necessary to
maintain the number of Indians now upon them.
In a few cases. perhaps. they should be enlarged.
Add to all this the difference in the admnistra-
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 In
dams have much to do with their condition and
welfare. The agent who perfunctorily performs
his duty and slothfully neglects all opportunity
to advance their moral and physical improve
ment, 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 important trust and has an in
terest in his work will, by consistent example,
frm yet considerable treatment and welldi-
rected aid and encouragement. constantly lead
those under his charge toward the light of their
enfranchisement The history OF all the prog
ress which has been made in civilization of the
Indian, think will disclose the fact that the be-
ginning has been religious teaching followed by
the self-sacrifcing and pious men
and women who have aided in
this good work by their Independent endeavor
have for their reward the benehcient results of
their labor, and the consciousness of Christian
duty we'll performed. their valuable services
should be fully acknowledged by all who. under
the law, are charged with the control and man
agement of our Indian wards
What has been said indicates that, in the pres
emit condition of the Indians no attempt should
be made to apply fixed and unyieldng plan of
action to their varied and varying needs and
circumstances. The Indian Bureau, burdened as
it is with their general oversight, and with the
details Of the establishment, can hardly possess
of <ho o,1or oof
treatment, and thus the propriety of creating an
instrumentaity auxiliary to those already
tablished for the care of the Indians suggests it.
self l recommend the passage of u law author
izing the appointment of six commissioners,
three of whom shall be detailed from the army.
to be charged with the duty Of careful inspec
ton, from time to time of all the Indians upon
our reservations or subject to the care and con,
troll of the government, with view OF discover
ing their exact condition and needs, and determ
ing what steps shall be taken on behalf of the
government to improve their situation in the di-
rection of their self-support and COM
plete civilization; that they ascertain
from such inspection what, if any. of the reser
vations may be reduced in area, and in such
cases, what part not needed for Indian occupa
ton may be purchased by the government from
the Indians and disposed of for their benefit;
what, if any, Indians may, with their consent
be removed to other reservations, with a view of
their concentration; what Indian lands now held
in common should be allotted in severalty; in
what manner, and to what extent the Indians
upon the reservations can be placed under the pro-
lection of our laws and subjected to their penal
ties, and which, if any, Indians should be in
vested with rights of citizenship. The powers
and functions of the commissioners in
regard to these subjects should be
clearly defined, though they should, in
conjunction with the Secretary Of the Interior.
be given all the authority to deal definitely with
the questions presented deemed safe and con-
sistent. They should be also charged with the
duty Of ascertainipg the Indians who might prop
erly be furnished with implements of agricult
ture, and of what kind; in what cases the sup
port of the government should be withdrawn;
where the present plan of distributing Indian sup
plies should be changed; where schools may be
established, and where discontinued the con-
duct. methods and fitness of agents in charge of
reservations; the extent 20 which such reserva-
tons are occupied or intruded upon
by unauthorized persons, and, gener-
ally. all matters related to the vel
fare and improvement of the Indians.
They should advise with the Secretary of the
Interior concerning these matters of detail in
management, and he should be given power to
deal with them fully. if he is not now invested
with such power. This plan contemplates the
selection of persons for commissioners who are
interested in the Indian question, and who have
practical ideas on the subject of their treatment.
The expense of the Indian Bureau during the
last fiscal wear was more than Six and half
million dollars. I believe much of this ex-
pendlture may De saved under the plan pro-
posed, as its economical effects would be
increased with its continuance; that the
safety of our frontier settlers would be sub
served under its operations, and that the Nation
would be saved through its results. from the
imputation of inhumanity, injustice and mis-
management. In order to carry out the policy
Of allotment of Indian lands in severalty,
when deemed expedient. it will be necessary to
have surveys completed Of the reservations,
and hope that provision will be made for the
prosecution of this work
In May of the present year a small portion of
the Chiricahua Apaches, on the White Mountain
reservation in Arizona left the reservation and
committed a number of murders and depreda-
tons upon settlers in that neighborhood.
Though prompt and energetic action was taken
by the military, the renegades eluded capture
and escaped into Mexico The formation of the
country through which they passed, their thor
ough acquaintance with the same, the speed of
their escape and the manner in which they