Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-24

But few men in this or any other country
have a more extended knowledge of Indians or
Indian character than that possessed by Capt.
James Z. DougEerty of the United States army.
The greater portion of his life has been spent
on the frontier and many years of faithful toll
have been put in by him as agent in charge Of
peculiarly worthless or atrociously murderous
savages. The STARS staff correspondent at
Pine Ridge, shortly before leaving that delight
full place, requested Capt Dougherty to reply
to certain questions and those replies have Just
been received.
What sort of an education" was asked,
"does the Indian most good?'
"A practical education and contact with the
business side Of commercial and industrial life"
was the reply. Examples Chippewas Of
Wisconsin and the Hoopas and klamaths of
California, all self-supporting and eminently
peaceable and friendly"
AGRICULTURE AND STOCK RAISING
"When he OF she has been educated what OPP
portunities would you afford them to put their
education 20 practical and profitable use?''
1T is impossible to educate the Indian up
20 that point at which he can successfully COM
pete with the white man in the mechanical
arts. The great mass of the people. even
though civilized. must remain hewers of wood
and drawers OF water. Their main depend
ence mus. be on agriculture and stock raising.
The land set aside for the Sioux in Dakota con-
sists of the poorest soil in the state and SO
poor that no man can extract living from it
by agriculture alone. Seed for wheat. oats,
corn and potatoes has to be bought every wear
Cattle and horses will be their future industry
If they remain here, supplemented by a small
and uncertain agricultural product.The Indians
do not need education as much as they need q
means Of industrial employment suited to their
environment. l think the education of Sioux
boys up to this time is an even thing between
proht and loss IN results. am informed that
large number Of those returned scholars went
10 the Bao Lands with the hostiles and were
Valuable Ei1iliaries to short Bull and Kicking
Bear. Two Of them were killed among the
hostiles IN the fight below the Drexel Mission,
and three Of them were wounded in the same
Fight; one OF these was the young man who
came in last Saturday night TO get permit to
have his marriage ceremony performed in the
church, and now We have conclusive informa-
ton that the boy who murdered Lieut. Casey Ia
q returned scholar. The belief expressed by a
few visionary persons that Indians can be
brought to the same state Of intellectual de-
velopment that the white race exists in Mt
present, Is an absurd belief. and is inconceiy-
able to any intelligent person who has lived
among them. The race has neither the brain
nor the brain power necessary TO carry il be-
yond the limit fixed by nature. The oppor-
tunities that can be afforded educated boys and
girls ON the reservations. for the application OF
the advantages afforded by their education. are
Very few and must be created by themselves
by following some industry, which might be a
part of the education"
Would you make any distinction in the
treatment Of an industriously inclined Indian
and one who. though able would not work; and
what would be the distinction?''
EVERY Indian should have his share of the
allowances, guaranteed TO all by agreements,
without favor or distinction on any account.
There are special allowances authorized for
those who exhibit disposition to become in
dustrious, and these should be literally encour-
aged; but not 1T the expense OF those who have
not reached that stage of advancement. II they
are guaranteed So much beef by treaty OF
agreement they should have it under any and
all circumstances, and if they must be supplied
with bureaus, rocking chairs and things that
many of them can make themselves, and do moi
have much use for, such supplies should be
provided otherwise than by Communication OF
a portion OF the guaranteed food supply ALWAYS
the vital question with the Indian.
HOW THE GOVERNMENT MIGHT HELP.
''in what manner might the government best
help the Indian?"
1T Is difficult to answer this question, because
the conditions and necessities on each reserya.
ton vary from those ON every other. All reser.
yations should be surveyed and sub,iivided into
| sections that the people may have an opportu.
nifty to select and locate permanent homes