Connecticut western news., 1891-02-04
CONGRESS IS AT FAULT.
The Presidents Views on the
 Indian Question.
REDMEN ARE NOT ROBBED TODAY.

Done Its Duty in the Premises and That If the Sioux Have Been Deceived He Could Not Prevent It.
 NEW YORK, Feb. 2.-The World pub fishes an interview with the president on the Indian question. The president showed both by words and manner that he was keenly interested in the subject and had closely studied the situation at Pine Ridge. He said Some of these grievance are real, some are imaginary, some are in- evitable consequences of our form of gov ernment. The Indian is naturally im- provident. He will gorge himself and his family today until his skin and their skins are bursting-he will eat ten days rations in one, and then complain because fresh supply is not forthcoming the instant his appetite beckons.
 "In past years he has often, no doubt, been robbed by cattle rings, by agents and by traders, precisely as the army during the war was robbed Soldiers got paper shoes and shoddy overcoats. The Indian has often received poor clothing and moldy rations.
 Not Robbed Today.
 
 robbed today. When I entered upon my public duties certain men were recom- mended for removal. The causes assigned would have removed them under the civil service rule-incompetency, immortality or dishonesty. They were promptly removed and their places filled by men recommended by authorities who were in a position to know. Political or partisan reasons had nothing to do with it. Some of the new appointees proved inefficient and were at once dismissed.
 Where the Delay Begins.
 'I have no doubt the Indian thinks he is being robbed, because on Saturday he for gets that on the previous Monday he ate his entire weeks rations. Also he does not comprehend why his supplies are cut down and delayed. That is not my fault, nor the fault of the secretary of the interior, nor that of the commissioner of Indian affairs. The commissioner promptly reports to the secretary, who promptly forwards the re- ports to me, and promptly recommend to congress that the appropriation be prompt ly passed in full. There my power and my responsibility and that of the Indian de- partment end and the delay begins.
 Congress to Blame.
 Congress does the cutting down of which the Indian complains, and the wis dom or folly of this is beyond my control. do know however, that the moment con- gress appropriates the money every dollar of it is at once applied to the Indian s wants, and the entire machinery of the In- dian department is put in swift motion to get the supplies out as soon as possible. But months or perhaps years have elapsed since the treaty, and the Indian complains hQf hn If QpfQH faith. The department has been in no wise to blame. ...
 ''How many entirely just bills for the relief of white men have been ignored for years and will be ignored by congress for all time. I have repeatedly seen claims of undoubted justice oscillate from house to senate until the claimants died or aband- oned hope. These are inevitable, and if the Indian finds them in his lot it is the fault of neither the administrative nor the executive branches of the government.
 Satisfied with the Present Regime.
 "These Sioux complained of Agent Spen- cer, of Rosebud The complaints were at once investigated and, being found just, Spencer was removed. Agent Gallagher at Pine Ridge was obnoxious. The moment this was known to me he was removed. stand ready to remove any agent or em- plOye or the department agalnSt whose honesty, morality or efficiency any serious charge can be substantiated.
 "I am entirely satisfied with the present administration of Indian affairs. It is thoroughly honest and intelligent, and no complaint has been given against it during the past two years that has not at once re- ceived prompt attention and the cause been removed.
 No Help for the Redmen.
 II shall talk with this Sioux delegation, if they desire council; shall give them . full hearing, and if any wrongs are pre- sented they will be met promptly and thor oughly. I believe, however, that the main grievance is one beyond my control-the tardiness with which congress has ratified the agreement made with them by the Sioux commission, two years ago, and the cutting down of the appropriation recon mended for the current year.
 "That they have been robbed by agents during my administration know person. ally is not true. That matter has been thoroughly sifted, and the charge found wanting"
 The president spoke with great earnest ness and with evident knowledge of his subject. He has weighed this question carefully and at the council there is no doubt the delegation will have full oppoe- tunity to present their wrongs, real or fan