Year: 1878

posltloH duOuS the luulduS themselves.
Almost the whole of this band have sur
rendered to the military authorities, and it
is gratifying fact that, when some of them
had taken refuge in the camp of the Red
Cloud Sioux, with whom they had been in
friendly relations, the Sioux held them as
prisoners and readily gave them up to the
officers of the United States, thus giving
new proof of the loyal spirit which, alarm.
ng rumors to the contrary notwithstanding,
they have uniformly shown ever since the
wishes they expressed at the council of
1877, had been complied with.


Both the Secretary Of the Interior and
the Secretary of War unite in the recon-
that provision be made by Con-
gress for the organization of corps of
Indian auxiliaries," to be under
the control of the army, and to be used for
the purpose of keeping the Indians on their
and preventing or repressing
disturbance on their part. earnestly con,
cur in this recommendation. 1t is believed
that the organization of such a body of
Indian cavalry, receiving a moderate pay
from the Government, would considerably
weaken the restless element among the
Indians by Withdrawing from it a number
of young men and giving them congenial
under the Government, it be-
ing matter of experience that Indians in
our service, almost without exception, are
faithful in the performance of the duties
to them Such an organization
would materially aid the army in the ac-
complishment of task which in numeri.
cal strength is sometimes found deficient.


But, while the employment of force for
the prevention or repression of Indian
troubles is of occasional necessity, and
wise preparation should be made to that
end, greater reliance must be placed on
humane and civilizing agencies for the ulti-
mate solution of what is called the Indian
problem. 1t may be very difficult and re-
quire much patient effort. to curb the un.
ruiy spirit of the savage Indian to the re
straints of civilized life, but experience
shows that it is not impossible. Many of
the tribes which are now quiet ana orderly
and self-supporting were once as savage as
any that at present roam over the plains or
in the mountains of the far West, and were
then considered inaccessible to civilizing
influences. 1t may be impossible to raise
them fully up to the level of the white pop.
ulation of the. United States; but we should
not forget that, t,theyfare,the aborigines of the
country, and called the soil their own on
which our people have grown rich, power
full, and happy. We owe it to them as a
moral duty to help them in attaining at
least that degree of civilization which they
may be able to reach. Iti not only our
duty--it is also our interest to do so. In
dians who have become agrieulturists or
herdsmen, and feel an interest in property,
will thenceforth cease to be wa1like and
element. 1t is also a welt
fact that Indians are apt to be
peaceable and quiet when their children
are at school, and 1 am gratifed to know,
from the expressions of Indians themselves
and from many cOncurriDg reports, that
there is a steady increasing desire. even
among Indians belonging to comparatively
wild tribes, to have their children educated.
l invite attention to the reports of the Sec
retary of the Interior and the Commissioner
of Indian Affairs, touching the experiment
recently inaugurated, in taking fifty In
dian children, boys and girls, from different
tribes, to the Hampton Normal Agricultural
Institute, in Virgins, where they are to re-
ceive an elementary English education and
training in agricultural and other useful
work, to be returned to their tribes, after
The completed course, as interpreters, in
structors and examples. 1t is reported that
the officer charged with the selection of
those children might have had thousands Of
young Indians sent with him had it been
possible TO make provision for them. i
agree with the Secretary of the Interior in
saying that the result of this interesting
experiment, if favorable, may be destined to
become an important factor in the advance
ment of civilization among the Indians"


The question, whether a change in the
control of the Indian service should be
made, was at the last session OF Congress,
referred to Committee for inquiry and re-
port. Without desiring to anticipate that
report, 1 venture to express the hope that
in the decision of so important question,
the views expressed above may not be lost
sight of, and that the decision, whatever it
may be, will arrest further agitation of this
subject such agitation being apt to pro.
duce disturbing effect upon the service as
well as on the Indians themselves.


HOT SPRINGS COMMISSION.


In the enrolment of the bill making ap.
preparations for sundry civil expenses, at
the last session of Congress, that portion
which provided for the continuation Of the
Hot Springs Commission was omitted. As
the Commission had completed the work
of taking testimony on the many conflicting
claims, the suspension of their labors,
before determining the rights of claimants,
threatened, for time, to embarrass the
interests, not only of the Government, but
also of large number of the citizens OF
Hot Springs, who were waiting for final
action on their claims before beginning
contemplated improvements. In order to
prevent serious difficulties, which were ap.
pretended, and at the solicitation of many
leading citizens of Hot Springs and others
interested in the welfare OF the town, the
Secretary of the Interior was authorized to
request the late Commissioners 20 take
charge of the records of their proceedings S,
and to perform such work as could properly
be done by them under such circumstances
to facilitate the future adjudication OF the
claims at an early day, and to preserve the
status of the claimants until their rights
should be finally determined. The late
Commissioners complied with that reguest


and report that the testimony, in all the
cases, has been written out, examined


briefed, and so ARRANGED as to facilitate al
early settlement when authorized by law
1t is recommended that the requisite au


thority be given at as early day in tn


session as possible, and that fair com
pensation be allowed the late Commissioner
for the expense incurred and labor pei


formed by them since the 25th of June last


TIMBER LANDS, AND AGRICULTURE.
invite the attention of Congress to tn
recommendations made by the Secretary @
| the Interior with regard to the preservatio


of the timber on the public lands of tn
United States. The protection of the pub
| lie property is one of the first duties of th


Government. The Department of the Ii


terror should, therefore, be enabled, by su


fcient appropriations, to enforce the law


in that respect. But this matter appear


still more important as question of publ


economy. The rapid destruction of OF


forests is an evil fraught with the graves


consequences, especially in the mountain


GUS districts, where the rocky slopes ono


denuded of their trees, will remain SO fo


ever. There the injury once done can NJ


be repaired. 1 fully concur with the Seer


tary of the Interior in the opinion for tn


reason legislation touching the public tin
Der in the mountainous States and Terrific
les of the West, should be especially we


considered, and that existing laws, in whic


the destruction of the forests is not suf


GENTLY guarded against. should be speedi


modified. A general law concerning tn


important subject appears to me to be


matter of urgent public necessity.


From the organization of the Governmel


the importance of encouraging, by all po


sible means, the increase of our agricultur


productions has been acknowledged al


urged upon the attention of Congress al


the people as the surest and readiest meal


of increasing our substantial and enduril


prosperity.


The words of Washington are as app


cable to-day as when, IN his eighth annu