The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1885-12-10

50
in jail during months. perhaps. that
elapse before q session OF the court
is held. and arc finally brought TO fr1ai SUI
rounded by strangers and with but lttie OPP
portunity for defense. In the meantime ire
aacntly the marshal has charged against the
government his fees for an arrest, The trans
portation of The accused ard TIE expense or
the same and for Sitiimoning witnesses De-
fore commissioners. grand jury ara 4
court. The witnesses have to be paid from
the public funds large fees and traSelig ex-
penses, and the commissioner and district At
torncy have also made their charges against
the government. This abuse in the admins
tration of our criminal law should be re-
moved. and IL the plan above suggested is not
practicable, some other should be devised.
THE lsTEKIOR DEPARTMENT.
Improvement in Treatment Of I'm.
dams. but q Fixed Policy Needed.
The report OF the secretary 81 the
interior. containing an account OF the
operations of this important depart
ment AMI much interesting information.
will be submitted for your consideration. The
most intricate and difficult snbicc. in charge
OF this department il the treatment and man
areinent Of the Indians. am satisfied that
some progress may he noted in their condition
rs q result of Il prudent administration of the
present laws and regulations Tor their c0ii-
troll. But il il submitted that their j. lack Of
q
subject which should be supplied. Ii Is USE
less to dilaie upon the wrongs OF the Indians.
and as useless TO indulge in the heartless be-
lief that, because their wrongs are revenged
in their own atrOcionS manner. they should
be exterminated. They arc within tho care
of our government nId their rights are, or
should be. protected from invasion by tho
most solemn obligations. 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 the enforcement OF
their rights. There seems TO be general con-
curi cnce in the proposition that the ultim lie
object or their treatment should be tear
civilization and citizenship. fitted by these to
keep pace in the march of progress with the
advanced civilization about them They will
readily assimiate with the mass of our popu-
lation, assuming the responsibilities and re-
cciving the protection incident to this condi-
ton. The difficulty appears to he in the
selection of the means to be at present EN-
ployed toward the attainment of this result.
THE INDIAN POPULATION.
| exclusive Of those In Alaska Is reported as
numbering 2sO.oDO nearly al being located
| on lands set apart for their use and Occupa-
| ton, aggregating over l34.ouUe00 acres
| These lands arc included i'll the boundaries OF
III reservations of different dimensions, seat
tered in twenty-onc statcs aud 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 III natural
traits and dispositions i'll their progress ta-
ward civilization. While some are lazy, Vi
cious and STUPID, others arc industrious,
peaceful and intelligent. While n portion
| OF them are scls-supporting and independent.
| and have SO far advanced that they make
| their own laws, administered through officers
/ OF their own choice. aud educate their cil-
4 III in Sph0 III
and maintenance, others still remain in
| squalOr and dependence, almost Inc sayaeeis
of their natural state. In dealing with this
| question the desires manifested by tho In
We find great diversity. With some the
tribal relations are cherished with the utmost
tenacity. while their hold upon others is con-
siderably relaxed.
THE LOVE OF HOME
Is strong with all, and vet there are those
| whose attachment to q particular locality Is
by no means unyielding. The ownership of
their lane in severalty is much desired by
| some, while by others. and sometimes the
| most civilized, such II distribution would be
bitterly opposed. The variation or their
wants. growing ont OF and connected with
the character OF their several locations.
| should be regarded. Some are upon resef-
vations most tit for grazing, but without locks
or herds. and some OH arabic land
have no agricultural implements. while sona
of the reservations are double the size nccas
sary to maintain the number of Indians now
upon them. In u few cases, perhaps. they
should be enlarged Add to all this til G
difference in the admins; ration of the agen-
cies. While the same duties are deyplyed
| upon all, the disposition of the agents and
the manner Of their contact with the In
dians have much to do with their condition
and welfare. The agent who perfunctorily
performs his duty and slOthfuiiy neglccts all
| opportunity to advance their moral and physi
cal improvement and fails to inspire them witt
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 vet consider
ate treatment and well directed aid and en-
couragement, constantly lead those under his
charge toward the light Of Acknowledgement.
, The historyo
ALL THE PROGRESS
! which has been made i'm the civilization O
the Indian think will disclose the fact tina
the beginning has been in religious teachings
, followed by or accompanying secular educa
, tion, while the Sef-sacriticing and piOuS mel
and women who have aided in this good worl
, by their Independent endcayors have TO
their reward the beneficent results of thei
i labor and the consciousness of Christian dut,
well performed. Their valuable service
should be freely acknowledged by all WIFI
wonder that the laws are charged with tn
control and management of our Indian wards
What has been said indicates that in the
, present condition of the Indians no attcmp
. should be made to apply fixed and unyield
ing plan of action to their varied and varying
reeds and circumstances. The Indian bureau
burdcned as it Is with their general Oversight
, and with the details of the establishment, CA
hardly possess itself of the minute particu
lars of cases needing treatment. an,
, thus the propriety OF creating q
.. fundamentally auxiliary to those a
ready established for the care @
Indians suggests itself. l recommend til
passage of a law authorizing the appoint
lncnt Of
SIX COMMISSIONERS,
) three OF whom shall be detailed from til
army. to be charged with the duty of q care
] full inspection from time to time OF all tn
Indians upon our reservations, or subject
{ the care and control Of the government, wit
| u view OF discovering their exact cOnditiO
J and needs, and determining what steps sha
, be taken on behalf Of the government TO in
, prove their situation in the direction OF the
r sef-support and complete civilization
I that they ascertain from such inspectio
| which, if any, OF the reservations ma
I be reduced in area. md in such case wht
part, not needed for Indian occupation, ma
| be purchased by the government from til
, Indians and disposed Of for their bene
; | what, II any, Indians may, with their co,
Z | sent be removed to other reservations, viii
| a view VI ihclE SOIi11HtiatIoHs aHu od iH6
behalf. of their abandoned reservations, VIII,
!. Indian lands now held In common should /
. | allotted in sevcralty; in what manner and I
what extent the Indians upon the reserv.
tons can be placed W,Gcr tho protection (
: | our laws and subjected to their penalties, an
which. II any, Indians should be investe
. with the right OF citizenship.
Q THE POWERS AND FUNCTIONS
Q | Of the commissioners in regard to these sui
iects should be clearly defined, though the
| should, in conjunction with the secretary {
: the interior, be given all the authority TO de;
: definitely with the questions presented i
| dnn1n1a hafG nd cor They shnniI