The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1869-12-16

been subject Of embarrassment and expense,
and has been attended with continuous rob-
berries, murders, and wars. From my own
experience on the frontiers and in Indian
countries, do not hold either legislation or
the conduct Of the whites, who come most in
contact with the Indians, blameless for these
hostilities.
The past, however, cannot be undone,
and the question must be met as we now ind
it. | have attempted new policy towards
these wards of the natien. Qhey cannot be
regarded In any other light than as Wards,)
with fair results SO far as tried and which,
hope, will be attended ultimately with great
success. The Society Of Friends is we'll
known as having succeeded in living in peace
with the Indians in the early settlement OF
Pennsylvania, while their white neighbors
Of other sects, in other sections, were con-
stantly embroiled. They are also known for
their opposition to all strife, violence, and
war, and are generally noted for their strict
integrity and fair dealings. These consid-
erations induced me to give the management
Of few reservations Of Indians to, and to
throw the burden of the selection Of agents
upon the Society itself.
The result has proven most satisfactory.
It will be found more fully set forth in the
report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
For superintendent and Indian agents not
on reservations, officers Of the army we're
selected. The reasons for this are numerous.
Where Indian agents are sent, there or near
there troops must also be sent. The agent
and the commander Of troops are indepen-
dent of each other, and are subject to orders
from different departments Of the Govern
ment. The army officer holds position for
life, the agent one at the will Of the Presi-
dent. The former is personally interested
in living in harmony with the Indians and
establishing a permanent peace to the end
that some portion of his life may be spent in
civilized society. The latter has no such
personal interest. Another reason is an
economical one and still another, the hold
which the Government has upon life officer
to secure a faithful discharge Of the duties
in carrying out given policy. The build
ng of railroads and the access thereby given
to all the agricultural and mineral regions
of the county is rapidly bringing civilized
settlements into contact with all the tribes Of
Indians No matter what ought to be the
relations between such settlements and the
aborigines, the fact is that they do not har
monte well, and one or the other has to give
way in the end. A system which looks to
the extinction of race is too horrible for
nation to adopt without entailing upon itself
the wrath of all Christendom, and engeGder-
ing in the citizen disregard for human life
and the rights of others dangerous to society.
I see no substitute for such system except
in placing all the Indians on large reserva-
tons as rapidly as it con be done, and giving
them absolute protection there. AS soon as
they are fitted for it they should be induced
to take their lands in severalty and to set up
territorial governments for their own protcc-
ton. For full details on this subject [ call
your special attention to the reports of the
Secretary of the Interior and the Commits
sioner Of Indian Affairs.
THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., &c.
The recommendation of the General of
the Army that appropriations be made for
the forts at Boston, Portland, New York,
Philadelphia, New Orleans, and San Fran
cisco, is concurrcd in.
| call special attention to the recommended
tions of the Chief Of Ordinance for the sale
of arscnals and lands no longer Of use to the
Government; also to the recommendation of
the Secretary of War that the act prohibiting
promotions in the staff corps Of the army be
repealed. The extent of country to be gar
risoned and the number Of military posts to
be occupied is the same with reduced army
as with large one. The number Of staff
officers required is more dependent on the
latter than the former condition.
The report Of the Secretary of the Navy
accompanying this shows the condition of
the navy, When this Administration came
into office, and by changes made since, siren
uous efforts have been made to place as many
vessels id commission, or render them fit for
service when required, as possible, and to
substitute the sail for steam while cruising,
thus, materially reducing the expense Of the
navy and adding greatly to its efficiency
Looking to our future, recommend a ber
al though not extravagant policy towards
this branch of the public service.
POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT.
The report of the Postmaster General fur
nishes clear and comprehensive exhibit Of
the operations Of the postal service and Of
the financial condition of the Postofice De-
partment. The ordinary postal revenues for
the year ending June 80, 1869, amounted
to Sic, 444, $40, and the expenditures to
S23,698,13 Your attention is respect
fully called to the recommendation made by
the Postmaster General for authority to
change the rate of compensation to the main
trunk-railway lines. for their services in car
rying the mails, for having post-route maps
executed, for recognizing and increasing
the efficiency of the special agency service,
for the increase of the mail service Of the
Pacific, and for establishing mail service I'M
der the flag Of the Union in the Atlantic;
and most especially do I call your attention
to his recommendation for the total abolition
of the ranking privilege. This is an abuse
from which no one receives commensurate
advantage Itreduces the receipts for postal
service from twenty-five to thirty per cent,
and largely increases the service to be per-
formed
THE PATENT OFFICE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT,
During the year ending September 30,
1869, the Patent Office issued 1892 pat
cnts, and its receipts were 1886, 389, being
$213, 1926 more than the expenditures.
I respectfully call your attention to the
recommendation of the Secretary of the In
terror for uniting the duties Of supervising
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