Year: 1879

lious Tribes Over to tho Army-Consoli-


Capital News,


WASHINGTON, Jan. 90.--The report embody-
Ing the views of Senators Saunders and Ogles-
by, and Representatives Stewart and Van voor
hees, four of the eight members of the Joint
committee On the Indian transfer question, has
been completed, and will be presented to the
Senate tomorrow. 1t is shown that various
evils and abuse. grew up under the administra-
tion of Indian affairs by military officers, and
notwithstanding the reformatory legislation of
March 8, l847, they continued to grow up to
the last hour in which the war department had
control of the Indian population, and so little
had been done toward Indian civilization under
the war department. management, that public
opinion had acquiesced in the assumption that
the Indians were not susceptible to civiliza-
tion. 1t is estimated that if all the fighting
Indians OF the country could be got together,
they would not muster more than
$4,000, and the idea of their ever concentrating
for warlike purposes is simply preposterous,
because it is impossible. Indian wars on a
large scale are over, and we may reasonably
hope that that portion of our national history
is in the past.


In reference to the sentiment of the Indians
on the subject, the secretary of the interior
made to the committee statement giving the
views and votes of various tribes, which gives
an average vote of 16 to against the transfer,
nearly all tribes being unanimously opposed to
the proposition. ALI religious denominations
IN this country are absolutely opposed to the
proposed change of management. Their opin-
ions and behests deserve and should receive re-
spectful consideration.


That we have among the quarter of million
<E
fact, and to this your committee would respect
fully call the attention of Congress. We are
of opinion that in such special cases the mill
tary should have temporary control, and that
the President have the power to place such war
like or unruly tribes under military discipline
the same as he would city, or State terrorized
by mob law or revolution.


That the Indian can be Anglo-Saxonized is
proven beyond all cavil in the case of the Win
nebagoes and Omahas who reside on reserva-
tions in the State of Nebraska. They live in
comfortable houses, have good barns cultivate
their land and raise good wheat, corn and
potatoes as are produced through the labor OF
the white man. They have churches and
schools, and no more orderly community can
be found than on those two reservations. They
are petitioning to become citizens, question
of such vital Importance in their case, that it
ust soon be solved.


Is it necessary to place these people under
oUs
er the management Of the Indians remains
where it is or relegated to the war department,
the general system of reform and improvement
should continue, and among the most mport-
ant things commanding immediate attention,
is to provide that the civil law of the United
States be extended over all Indians who will
agree thereto. with code of laws applicable
to them defining crime and providing iu-
dietary, especially in what is known as Indian
territory. In the opinion of the committee
such legislation is imperatively needed and no
time should be lost in making the necessary
provisions therefor.


The Indian agent seems to be the objective
point with all those opposed to the present
policy of the government. They assert that
the Indian agent ia synonymous with ''fraud
and corruption The committee made dill
gent inquiry into the present system of con-
ductlng agencies, and are of opinion that a
general rule the agent is more sinned against
than SHINING. There are now seventy -four
agents employed, and at every opportunity
as we learn, the department proposes to reduce
this number by the consolidation of agencies
and Iessening of reservations where it
can be done with Justice to the tribes.
Men of integrity who are competent
to administer the affairs of an Indian agency
successfully can in most cases. get larger sal
aries at less sacrifice nearer their homes The
salary should be large enough to mploy honor
able men of decided executive ability, AMI to
| enable them to take their families with them
to the agencies, and to support them there
The pay ought to be more liberal and tenure of
office should be secure for term of years, pro-
vided the agent should prove worthy.
The laws providing for the punishment of
wrong doers in this branch of service ought to
be exceedingly severe. The guilty should be
punished with unmistakable earnestness that
will convince all others of the firm purpose of
| the government. We are assured that this
policy has been inaugurated, and that already
the good results are felt, as the com missioner
OF Indian affairs testifes there has not been a
single defalcation under the present admins
tration.


The committee say they cannot find any good
| ground for the common statement that the war
department. Is any more economical and effi-
| cient than the interior department in the pur-
chase of supplies and their transportation. 1t
| If found that both departments have excellent
| systems, and that both have made improve
ments of late years. The improvement in the
management of the Indian bureau is said to be
| especially marked. It's system of business is
pronounced very effective, and the organization
| of the Office is considered complete enough to
| be a bar to all outside irregularities.
Your committee are of opinion that reserva-
tions should be decreased, and that as rapidly
as possible small tribes or parts of tribes be
! placed on large reservations unless they take
land In severality, do away with their tribal
relations and prepare for citizenship. We are
of opinion that the Indian bureau should be a
distinct Department. with the chief member
of the Presidents cabinet. This will aid much
J in the solution of future Implications in In
| dian affairs. The Indian should be protected
| in his rights to land, and Safeguard ought
! to be thrown around him, to prevent de-
| signing persons from flching his homestead,
or inducing him to sell it for q triflinp comnen
| sation. He should not have the right to sell
his land without the consent of the department
| under twenty one years.


Your committee can discover not one good
reason why proposed change should be made
They believe that harm rather than good to the
| red man wonld result from the change and
that no possible advantage could result to the
government FROM it. Your committee are
therefore of opinion that it is not expedient to
| transfer the Indian bureau to the war depart
ment.


The report is accompanied by bill author
izing the President to transfer the custody,
control and management of any Indian tribes
| from the in terror to the war department tenn
| porarily whenever in his judgment no shall
deem it advisable to do SO, either on &C
| count of actual or apprehended hos
| tilities by Indians against the United
| States or in case of difficulties between snch
Indians and settlers. The bin further propose. .
to authorize the President to detail any officers
OF the army to act as Indian agents or inspec-
| tors, or in any other capacity in the Indian
service. and exercising the same powers and
subject to the same rules and regulations as
civil officers, and an appropriation of $4,000
is recommended to pay the travelling expenses
Of officers thus detailed during the next fiscal
| year.


| GENERAL CAPITAL NEWS.
| FOUR PER GENTS.


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per cent loan since yesterday report, 81, TAI.
$50.