The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-04-05
THE INDIANS.

expression of opinion that the Indians will
so on the warpath this spring. The Rev.
Mr.. CRAFT also says there is danger of an
outbreak when the grass grows. 1t was
Mr.. CRAFT who predicted the recent
trouble, and tried so earnestly to induce
the authorities to take the necessary steps
to prevent it. He says the same discomfort
which prevailed last year still exists and
unless something shall be done for It's re-
moval there will be more fighting, as the
Indians cannot endure the fraud and cheat
ing which are practiced. 81 am heartily
sick and tired, "he,says, ''of witnessing mis-
cries that cannot correct and sharing the
sufferings of the unfortunate Indians and
brave soldiers who are forced into conflict
and then slandered by the cowardly politi-
clans who slaughtered them"
Father CRAFTS remedy is the remedy
which all who are familiar with the gov
eminent of the Indians recommend-the
transfer of the Indians to the war depart
ment. Until that shall be done there will
occur periodical outbreaks so long as there
shall be any Indians with spirit enough
left to protest against robbery and NAL
treatment. Nine out of ten of the Indian
wars can be traced directly to one cause,
and that is the dishonest or incompetent
administration of Indian affairs. Agents
are appointed without regard to their fit
ness for the performance of the duties i'm
posed, and too often without any regard to
personal honesty. The agencies are con-
ferred as rewards for political services or
as pay for contributions to party funds. If
the appointee happens to be a good man,
well and good; if, as more frequently oc-
ours, he is scoundrel bad results follow
as natural and necessary consequence.
Indians possess sufficient intelligence to
know when they are being swindled. They
know whether or not they get enough to
eat and have blankets enough to keep them
warm. The government makes generous
provision for them and they know that
all that is intended for them
is not received, considerable percentage
going to enrich the agents and swindling
contractors. If one will take the trouble
to trace the Indian outbreaks to their cause
he will find that the aborigines have gone
upon the warpath only after series CT
wrongs, and their going out has been
simply protest against manifest evils.
We have always thought that if the
management of the Indians were turned
over to the military there would come ar
end to these periodical outbreaks of hostil-
tiles. Army officers do not owe their posi-
tions to politics; they are provided for fol
life and cannot be turned adrift with the
incoming of new administration; the in
cent:ve to make money during four year,
of official life is not found among them, a.
with the politicians; having life places
provided they behave themselves, their ain
is to perform their duties in such way a!
will reflect credit upon.themselves. If army
officers had charge of the distribution
of rations and supplies, it would be seer
that the Indians would receive all they
were entitled to.
Furthermore, it would be to the interes
of the army to prevent hostilities, and thu
avoid the trouble and danger which attend
Indian wars. 1t is of no moment to tn,
dishonest agent, whether or not the Indian
are at war. He takes no part in it. al
though he may have been its immediate
cause He is safe, whatever damage h,
may have brought to others.
If there is likely to occur an outbreal
this spring, the thing for the government
to do is to at once place the army in contro
Of the Sioux agencies.