Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-23
TWO POINTS OF VIEW.
Some Indian Matters as Seen Through
Different Eyes.
A SIOUX SUM.
Remarks Of a Commission That Recently Wis.,
tied the Sioux and the Comments Thereon
by the Indian Commissioner-What Treaties
Call for and What Indians Get.

Perhaps there is no subject upon which there
is such wide and pronounced difference of
opinion that Of the Indian and how he
should be treated. This is illustrated to some
extent by two papers which have been submit
ted to the Secretary of the Interior. The first
gives discussion of various subjects pertaining
to Indian administration by commission
which was appointed to negotiate with the
Sioux for the settlement of certain undeter-
mined matters. and with their report at the re-
quest of the Secretary of the Interior submit
ted their views and recommendations as above
stated. These viewswere received by the COM
missioner Of Indian affairs. The observations
of the commission relative to a few selected
subjects are given below, followed by the COM
ments of the commissioner. As illustrating
the points of view possible in the Indian pro-
blem 1t Is believed that the abbreviated sympo-
SUM will be found to be of interest:
AGRICULTURE AND IMPLEMENTS.
The commission-With the aid of an irrigat-
ing system the hardy cereals will grow with
luxuriance on the Sioux reservations. Without
irrigation agriculture can never become a sue
cessful industry, except In few especially
favored river bottoms. Much of the discour-
agement which prevails is due to the lack of
proper instruction. The Indians should have
lighter wagons, those issued being altogether
too heavy for their light stock. In order to
secure economical use of seed there should
be provided an ample supply of wheat drills.
The Indians should also have an ample supply
Of sulky plows and cultivators There is but
one threshing machine on the Pine Ridge reser
walton, as We are informed. There should
at least be one in each farm dis
trict, and also in each district number
l. IL IN
wheat should he Of the best quality. We ex-
amined samples of wheat issued for seed and
found it totally unfit for any use except hog
feed. Orr opinion was confirmed by experts
to whom We submitted it. We found that
variety of vegetable seeds were mixed together
in bags and this made 1t unit for farm uses.
The harness and horse collars issued are to a
great extent poor, both in quality of material
and in workmanship. The harness work done
at the Pine Ridge agency Is tirst-class, although
the shop is very deficient Ill good tools and
appliances. The general run Of tools in all
mechanical departments is in poin. of quality
far below good commercial average.
The cOmmissoner-Special pains have been
taken by me during the last two years in the
purchase of only the best implements and
tools, and the statement of the commissioners
that 1.-THE general run OF tools IN all mechanical
departments is in point Of quality far below a
good commercial average" does not apply to
the tools which the present commissioner of
Indian affairs has purchased. The instruction
which have given for two years in succession
to the inspector in New York, where these pur-
chases are made is to get the BEST though not
necessarily the most expensive, tools and i'm
PIGMENTS that are manufactured, and have
great satisfaction in believing that a much
needed reform in this matter has already been
instituted.
The commissioners say: Eve examined SAM
pies OF wheat issued for seed and found it to-
tally unfit for any use except hog feed" As
this assertion Is made il close connection with
the statement that there is but one threshing
machine on the Pine Ridge reservation" / in
fer that the wheat inspected was also at Pine
Ridge.
In reply 1 can only say that the seed wheat
at Pine Ridge agency was advertised for by the
agent, received by HIM, inspected by him. and
that Capt Penney. United States army, now
acting Indian agent, signed the inspection re-
port saying that 1t was IN all respects up to the
required standard.
Immediately on the receipt of this report of
the commission 1 addressed letter to Capt.
Penney asking for an explanation. am Just
In receipt OF his reply. Ill which he SAYS:
Replying TO your letter of the 5th instant I
have the honor to say that the seed wheat re-
ceived by me, US per my certificate of inspec-
ton, was according to contract and in all
other respects IN conformity with my certifi-
cate. The wheat referred to in your quotation
from the report Of the commission, although
-, - - 49, ~ NV Seeo "hea' luz
The explanation of this seem;no d;soro,,,ou
is simple and is as follows:
AT the time of issuing the seeds the Indians
anu 1neis FARMERS were elamorous for larger
,ba 80 90 .II -. We inis Is usual IN
fnrnisbed II ia The I,d;on's . much may De
he Closely resembles b;S - nun,t ~ shien
nc S1o'eAy ie'c.oi uiS "hi'e Drotner, TO de-
=. 800 r.. -. a 10. ~ .uo oalh mere lou
d. h,nS 81 -. up n.ohi 'ne bottoms Oh
-. o.' - 60 .ns 'nresners, winch mad
~ ,ba -, ra;Sad -, H. i was 'ue reiuse