Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-12-18

A Dakota View OF the Indian Situmtion-
Measures ~ Relief Recommended.
To the Editor Of The Rysnins Star:

A Dakota View OF the Indian Situation
Measures ~ Relief Recommended.
70 the Editor Of The Rvsnins Star:
Sioux FALLS, 6. d.
The columns Of the papers Of the country
have for month past contained thrilling &C
counts Of Indian ghost dances and threatened
outbreaks, bringing before the minds OF the
public all the horrors of an Indian war. The
primary cause Of Indian outbreaks Ia not well
understood by the whites, who generally attri-
butte them to the fendish nature of the In
dians. but on investigation it will invariably be
found that it il violation Of treaty obligations
on the part Of the whites. People generally
form their ideas Of Indian character from read
ing accounts Of such rersouages as Sitting Bull
and others Of his stamp, who are too old to be-
come civilized, and should he removed from
their tribes, thereby destroying their influence.
The policy OF the government toward The In
dams in the main is good, yet personal observa-
ton OF its working the frontier las con-
WINGED me that it can be greatly improved.
Can the Indians be civilized! That seems TO
be useless question, yet there are thousands
Of Christian people who believe in their exter-
mination. In answer 10 the question will say
that portion OF them can be civilized and a
portion OF them cannot Sitting Bull. Hump
and Big Foot and u majority of the old hostile
stock cannot be fuily civilized. but the young.
especially the children OF school age. are
the ones that should receive the attention of
the government and by proper education in
the common schools they will become useful
members Of society. Il would seem that
65.Ooo.WO people, comprising the most highly
civilized nation Of the world. could take care
of the few remaining bands of Indians without
having an outbreak every few years. There
are now remaining in South Dakota five great
Indian reservations and on these
reservations the Indians are her.icd like
30 many cattle and kept away from
all the civilizing influences of mankind. They
are not allowed TO leave the reservations and
no white persons are allowed 70 go upon them
except employees of the government and vet
the demor,lizing influence of the army is III
ways there. Now ii the government il really
in earnest and wants To c;vilize thcse Indians
then their tribal relations should be broken I'D
and the reservations abolished and a complete
police protection afforded the frontier instead
of military. Under existing rules and regula-
tons it will take indefinite period OF time to
civiliZe Humps band. which Is located twelve
miles above the mouth OF Cherry creek, and
Big Foot band. twenty-three miles srill far
Their west on the Cheyenne river, and nearly
all the other bands are similarly
situated. Now these savages are respect
fully requested by Uncle Sans army
to get civilized. An utter impossibility, for
sayages cannot civilize and educate themselves.
People ask why they do not go to work and
earn their living the same as whites. They evil
IDENTIFY did before the whites came among them,
and eould now earn their living under the same
conditions. but those conditions are now
changed, and to conform to the new mode of
life they must receive substantial aid. The
issuance of rations is all right and proper bat
the Indians should no: be compelled to travel
seventy-ive miles every month To receive them,
as n large per cent OF them are obliged to do,
for the journey consumes from twelve to four
teen days of time each month. and when they
get their rations they have "a short supply and
insufficient to last until next issue
day. People visiting the agency in
summer will see the Indians lying
around several days and wonder what they are
doing. Investigation will show that they have
cut the raw beef issued to them into thin slices
and strips and arc dry ing it So that it will not
spoil while they take it home. Subagcncies
or supply stores should be established at con-
venient places and the distribution of annuities
be made from them, and there should also
tiers and pos: traders would sell goods to the
Indians at a reasonable profit and not charge
them twenty cents pound for sugar and other
goods in same proportion.
There are at every agency half breed and full
blood Indians who are self-sustaining and they
should be dropped from the rolls. There are
no reasons why an Indian, after he has become
rich, should be fed at the expense VI the public.
The same win apply 10 the white men who have
Indian rights the squaw has .he right to draw
rations and clothing to support her man. These
men are allowed to remain on the reservation
and speculate eff the Indians and the government
until they become rich, and they are still draw
ing aunuities from the government the same as
any pauper. Many of these men are worth
from $4,000 to 100000. +. W. PErrIGREw.