The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1885-12-10

VI cOuVlCIlOU. OF only u SllE0C 000, While the
parties accused are harrassed by an enforced
attendance upon courts held hundreds Of
miles from their homes. If poor and friend
less, they are obliged to remain
in Jail during months, perhaps. that
elapse before a session Of the court
is held, and are finally brought to trial sur
rounded by strangers and with but little OPP
pOrtunity for defense. In the meantime fire.
Quently the marshal has charged against the
government his fees for an arrest, the trans
portatfon of the accused and the expense of
the same, and for summoning witnesses be-
fore commissioner, a grand jury and a
court. The witnesses have to be paid from
the public funds large fees and travelling ex-
penses. and the commissioner and district at
tOrney have also made their charges against
the government. This abuse in the admins
tration of our criminal law should be re-
moved. and if the plan above suggested is not
practicable, some other should be devised,
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT..
Improvement in Treatment Of In.
dams, but a Fixed Policy Needed.
The report Of the secretary O, the
| interior. containing an account of the
operations Of this important depart
ment and much interesting information,
will be submitted for your consideration The
most intricate and difficult subject in charge
OF this department il the treatment and man.
| ageinent OF the Indians. I am satisfied that
some progress may be noted in their condition
as result Of prudent administration OF the
present laws and regulations for their con-
| troll. But it is submitted that their is lack of
a fixed purpose of policy on this
subject which should be supplied. 1t is use
less to dilate 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 atrOciOus manner, they should
be exterminate.l. They are within the care
of our government and their rights are, or
| should be, protected from invasion by the
most solemn obligations. Tilcy are, properly
and it should be borne in mind
that this guardianship involves on our
part efforts for the improvement
Of their condition aud the enforcement or
! their rights. There seems to be general con-
cuil ence in the proposition that the ultimate
object Of their treatment should be their
civilization and citizenship, fitted by these to
keep pace in the march OF progress with the
advanced civilization about them. They will
readily assimilatc with the mass Of our popu-
lation, assuming the responsibilities and re-
ceiving the protection incident to this cOndi-
ticn. The difficulty appears to he in the
selection OF the means to be at present en-
ploycd toward the attainment OF this result
THE INDIAN POPULATION,
exclusive Of those in Alaska. IS reported as
numbering 100000, nearly all being located
on lands set apart for their use and occupa-
ton, aggregating over 1S4.u0C.OGO acres.
These lands are included in the boundaries of
III reservations of different dimensions, scat
tered i'll tWenty-one states and 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 in natural
traits and dispositions in their progress to-
ward civilization. While some are lazy, vi
cious and stupid, others are Industrious,
peaceful and Intelligent While a portion
and have so far advanced that they make
their own laws, administered through officers
OF their own choice, and educate their chill
dren in schools of their own establishment
and maintenance, others still remain in
squalor and dependence. almost the savagery
OF their natural state. In dealing with this
question the desires manifested by the IL
dams should not be ignored. Here, again.
we find. q great diversity. With some the
| tribal relations are cherished with the utmost
tenacity, while their hold upon others is con-
sderably relaxed.
THE LOVE OF HOME
is strong with all, and yet there are those
whose attachment to particular locality is
by no means unyielding. The ownership Of
their land in severalty is much desired by
some, while by others. and sometimes the
most civilized, such a distribution would be
bitterly opposed The variation Of their
wants. growing out of and connected with
the character Of their several locations.
should be regarded. Some are upon reser-
vations most fit for Trazing, but without fOcks
or herds, and some on arabic land
have no agricultural Implements. while some
sary to maintain the number of Indians now
upon them. In few cases, perhaps. they
should be enlarged. Add to all this the
difference in the administration of the agen-
cies. While the same duties are devolved
upon all, the disposition of the agents and
the manner of their with the
dams have much to do with their condition
and welfare. The agent who perfunctorily
performs his duty and sloth1ully negects all
opportunity to advance their moral and physi-
cal improvement 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 impor-
tant trust and has an interest in his work,
will by consistent example, firm yet consider
ate treatment and we'll directed aid and en-
couragement, constantly lead those under his
charge toward the light Of enfranchisement.
The history Of
ALL THE PROGRESS
which has been made in the civilization of
the Indian think will disclose the fact that
the beginning has been in religious teachings,
followed by or accompanying secular educa-
ton, while the self-sacrihcing and piOus men
and women who have aided in this good work
by their independent endeavors have for
their reward the benefcent results of their
labor and the consciousness of Christian duty
we'll performed. Their valuable services
should be freely acknowledged by all who
wonder that the laws 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 attempt
should be made to apply q fixed and unyield-
ing plan of action to their varied and varying
needs and circumstances. Tue Indian bureau
burdeued as it is with their general oversight
and with the details Of the establishment, can
hardly possess itself of the minute particu-
lars. OF cases needing treatment, and
instrumentality auxiliary to those al
ready established for the care OF
Indians suggests itself. recommend the
passage of a law authorizing the appoint
ment of
SIX COMMISSIONERS,
three Of whom shall be detailed from the
army, to be charged with tho duty Of q care
full inspection from time to time Of all the
Indians upon our reservations, or subject to
tho care and control of the government with
view OF discovering their exact condition
and needs, and determining what steps shall
be taken on behalf Of the government to inn
prove their situation in the direction of their
self-suppOrt and complete civilization;
that they ascertain from such inspection
which. if any, of the reservations may
be reduced in area, and in such case what
part, not needed for Indian occupation. may
De purchased ny Tue government from the
Indians and disposed of for their benefit;
what, if any, Indians may, with their con-
sont. be removed to other reservations, with
view of their concentration, and on their
behalf. of their abandoned reservations, what
Indiau lands now held in common should be
allotted in severalty; in what manner and to
what extent the Indians upon the reserva-
tons can be placed under the protection of
our laws and subjected to their penalties, and
which, II any, Indians should be invested
with the right of citizenship.
THE POWERS AND FUNCTIONS
Of the commissioners in regard to these sub
jects 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 as
deemed safe and consistent. They should be
also charged with the duty of ascertainng
the Indians who might properly be furnished