St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-10-06
MORGAN MORALIzINC
The Indian Commissioners, in
an Exhaustive Report ON
Our Red Wards,
Reviews the Work Done and
Makes Several Practical
Suggestions.
klaska's Governor Tells Of the
TePritory's Progress
Seals Thriving.
Proctor's Successor--Epitome
ofCapital Happenings, Ru-
mors and Gossip.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 5.-The sixth an
hual report Of the commissioner of In
dian affairs has just been submitted to
The secretary of the interior. After al
luding to the increased public interest
in the subject of Indian administration,
The commissioner outlines what he re-
CARDS as the settled policy of the gov
Prnment in its dealings with the Indi-
ans, emphasizing comprehensiveness
definiteneSs OF aim, clearnesS of outline,
adaptation of means to ends, justice,
firmness, humanity, radcalness, stabil-
ity and time as the essential elementsof
such policy.
He thinks that the great forces now
at WOrk-land in SeYeralty. with its ac
companying dissolution of the tribal re-
]ation and breaking up of the reServa-
ton, the destruction OF the agency sys-
TEN, citizenship and all that belongs
thereto of manhood, independence,
privilege and duty; education which
seeks to bring the rising generation of
Indians into right relationship with the
age in which they live and to put into
their hands the tools by which they
may gain for themselves hOmes-will,
If allowed to continue undiSturbed
reasonable length of time, accomplish
their beneficent ends.
The report discusses at considerable
length the political status of the In
dians, tracing the evolution of the pres
ent policy Of dealing with Indians as
wards. AS the result of the historical
survey. the commissioner draws the
following
Practical Conclusions:
First-During the whole course of our
history the Indians Of this country have
been treated as separate communities,
sustaining exceptional relations TO us.
They have been regarded as having re-
1atiOns directly with the general gov
eminent alone and not Indirectly
through the states or to the states.
Secondhand the fiction of regarding
them as independent peoples has been
displaced by the theory of regarding
and treating them as wards of the gen
eral government.
Third-Ihat the purpose of the gov
eminent, as has been made more and
more evident, is to change their status
from that of wardship to that of citizen
ship.
Fourth-That during the transition
period. and until the completion OF their
citizenship. they should be regarded as
eminent, and under its care and guard
janship.
Fifth-That the time has come for
declaration by congress to the effect
that hereafter it will not recognize the
Indians as competent to make war. but
that in our dealings with them they
shall be treated, not as belligerents, but
as subject and dependent people. capa-
bic, of course, of instruction, rioting
dicturbonon nf tho Dpona l,ut NOT Of
Waging war.
SiXth-That the general government
has the right, both for its own protec-
ton, for the protection of the public
welfare and for the good of the Indians,
not only to establish schools in which
their children may be prepared for citi-
ZenShip, but also TO use whatever force
may be necessary to secure the Indian
children the benefit of these institu-
tionS.
Education and Courts.
Even in cases where by taking their
lands in severalty they are in process of
becoming citizens they are still in a
state of neutrality-suspicious., because the
general government withholdS from
them for twenty-five years the power of
alternating their lands, while by exempt
ing them from taxation for the same
period it practically excludes their chill
uItu HUH TIC puDllC SCllOOlS. fOr JleSe
reasons it would seem that the govern
ment has not only the right. but is under
obligations, to make educational pro-
visions for them and to secure to their
children the benefits of those pro-
visions.
SEVENTH submit that the time is at
hand for an extension over the Indians
of the protection and privileges of our
courts. Meanwhile, the development
=
Indian OffenseS. by the perfecting of
their code of procedure and the enlarge
ment of their jurisdiction, will be help
full as preparation for complete par
tlclpatiOn iii our life.
Eighth venture also to suggest
whether the time is not at hand for the
passage of an enabling act whereby the
five civilized tribes may form either a
territorial or state government. and
be represented on the floors of con-
gress.
Ninth-That the time has come when
the Pueblo Indians should be admitted
by special act of congress ''to the en-
JOyment of all the rights of citizens of
the United States according to the prin-
ciples of the constitution" as contem-
plated by the treaty of Guadalupe Hi
dalgo.
Tenth-The definite determination by
viz lllS iltSI dutllOliIN VI tIlC ACTUAL Do
litical status OF the Indian is necessary
as basis of wise legislation, and to the
satisfactory administration of Indian
affairs.
After giving an account of the prog
ress made in the allotment of lands TO
the Indians during the past year. the
commissioner says that this radical
and far-reaching revolution in the social
status of the Indians is making salts
factory progress. Land in severalty has
in it the promise and the potency of
great things, but only the promise and
the potency. In many cases it
Brings UnutterabIe Woe,
and in all it is liable to leave the In
dians worse off than before" He fur
Their says: Il am not in receipt Of
enough information, nor, indeed, has
sufficient time elapsed 10 enable me to
judge of the practical results of the al
lOtment policy. l have seen nothing
during the year, however, to lead me to
change my views as 10 its ultimate sue
cess"
Regarding the reduction of the reser-
vations, which has proceeded with great
rapidity during the year, the report
says: "While it is possible to push this
work too rapidly, perhaps, / do not hes
itate to say that the ultimate destruc-
ton of the entire system of reServa-
tons is inevitable. There is no place
for it in our present condition CT life.
The millions of acres of Indian lands.
now lvino abSOlut., ,,ruead GO