Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-31

The Indian Bureau proposes to commence
New Year by inaugurating what may turn
sut to be a most sensible reform. The
army officers and civilians who are now In
charge of the reservations on which the
various branches of the great Sioux nation
have their homes have been summoned to
this city to confer with the Commissioner
Of Indian Affairs, presumably as to the
line of policy which the government had
better pursue In It's dealings with a people
that I'D to this time have received much
less of fair treatment than was their due.
Viewed from any standpoint, the confer
ence idea Is thoroughly good. In times
past Indian agents have been called upon
to report annually as to the condition and
prospects of those whom they had in their
keeping. but only IN rare instances did the
Recommendations receive more than the
most superficial attention. the gathering Of
agents for the Sioux at the Indian Office IN
dicates a desire on the part OF the admin
istraticn to treat seriously and praC tically
what has long been regarded as very
serious problem. Some of the agents who
viii be here within few days are con-
splcucusly able men: some of them have
given, both to the government and the In
dian, service as conscientious as was ever
rendered by man. Some, perhaps all Of
of Sioux character, and know precisely
how to deal with him who. In seIf-defense.
has often been compelled to use extreme
methods for the purpose of calling atten-
tion to his sufferings. The proposed con-
ference Is timely. Indian discomfort is very
apparent just now, and only the wilfully-
blind or the ignorantly- ejudiced will rush
TO the conclusion that the red man alone
Is at fault; as matter of fact, 1t Is the
United States that must bear the burden
Of blame for a very large proportion Of the
injustice that has been wrought through
the workings OF what has. by common con-
sent. been loftily termed "our indian pol
ICY" That the Indian Bureau recognizes
the unsatisfactory condition in which af-
fairs are Is evident by its action In bring
ing these agents together; the possibility
of outbreak is ev,r present even on the
eve OF the year of civilization one thou
sand eight hundred and ninety-five. 1t Is
reasons BILE to imagine that the conference
will. throughout Its discussions, always
have In view the fact that within three
Year, the treaty by which the Sioux re-
ceivs rations and clothing terminates by
Limitation. What would happen should
the Sioux be left to their own devices after
that time is extremely disasreeable pos
sbility for humane minds to dwell upon.
or course 1t would result finally in the
complete annihilation of the Sioux, but be-
fore any such conclusion could be reached
there would be a good deal Of unnecessary
sorrow In a great many homes throughout
the country. The plans and desires of the
members of the col ference are not, OF
course, known to the general public. but 1t
may safely be alleged that the agents will
agree to the undesirability of further
effort to compel the Sioux to make his liv-
Ing by agriculture. 1t Is an undeniable
fact that thousands of white men-skilful
and thrifty-haye failed to ward of the
assaults of starvation, although they were
located on better lands than any occupied
by the great majority of the Sioux; even
with irrigation-now entirely lacking-the
Sioux on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud reser-
vation5 could not possibly raise enough of
grain to feed and olothe themselves. The
remedy for the lamentable condition in
which these Indians now are lies in tho
total elimination of all political considera-
lions; In the encouragement of cattle and
sheep raising and in the finding of honest
employment on the various reservations
for the boys and girls who, at Carlisle and
Hampton and Forest Grove and in many
other ELECTROMAGNETIC institutions, are
educated to earn a livelihood but who rarely
get a chance to put their expensive train.
ing to any advantage.