Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1869-12-16

ipp in the transportation of Coolies 10 any
country tolerating the system. l also recon-
! mend that the mission to China be raised TO one
| Of theirs class. ff$1.,
On my assuming the responsibilities Of Chief
Magistrate of the United States IT was with the con-
yctOn that three thing essential 70 It's peace,
/ prosperity and fullest development First among
herei strict integrity in fulfilling ell our obliga-
lions. Second, to secure protection TO the person
and property of our common country, wherever he
may choose to roam without reference 10 original
nationality, religion, color politics, demanding
OF him only obedience to the laws and proper re-
spect for the rights OF others. Third, union OF
all the States with equal rights indestructibe by
any unconstitutional means.
To secure the first of these Congress has taken
two essential steps. Firsi, in declaring by joint
resolution that the public debt should be paid prin-
cipal and interest in coin. Second, by providing
means for paying. These. measures, however,
could not secure the object desired with
out proper administration Of the laws for
collection Of the revenues and economical
disbursement Of them To this subject the admin
istration has most earnestly addressed ITSELF with
results, | believe, satisfactory to the country.
There has been no hesitation In changing officials
in order TO secure the efficient execution of the
laws; sometimes, too, where In mere party view
undesirable political results were likely to follow
tor any hesitation In sustaining efficient officials
agaist remonstrances wholly political. 1t may be
well to mention here embarrassments possible to
arise from leaving on the statute books the So
called Tenureo Office act and TO earnestly recon-
mend its total repeal. 1t could not have been the
intention OF the trainers of the Uonsti-
tuition, when providing that appointments
made by the President should re-
ceiye the consent of the Senate, that
the latter should have the power to retain in office
persons placed there by Federal appointments
against the will of the President. The law is in
consistent with faithful and efficient administra-
ton OF the government, What faith can the Ex-
ecntiye put INF officials forced upon him. and those,
fk.,x h.. L,,. .l..1
will such officials serve an administration which
they know does not trust them. For the second
requisite to our growth and prosperity, time and ex
perence will affirm; but humane administration
OF existing laws, amended from time to time, as
they prove ineffective, prove harsh and unneces-
sary are probably all that are required. The third
cannot be attained by special legislation, but must
be regarded as fixed by the Constitution itself and
gradually acquiesced in by force of public opinion,
From the foundation OF the Government to the
present, the management of the original inhabi
tants Of this continent, the Indians, has been the
subject of embarrassment and expense, and has
been attended with continuous r0bberes murders
and wars. From my own experience upon the
frontiers and Indian countries, do not hold either
legislation or the conduct Of the whites who come
most in contact with Indians blameless Tor their
hostiliies, The last, however, cannot be undone
and the question must be met as we now find it,
have adopteda new policy toward these wards of
the new nati0n-thcy cannot be regarded in any
other light than as wards-with fair results so far
as tried, and which hope will be attended uit-
matey with great success. The society of
Friends lie well known as having succeeden in liv-
ing in peace with the Indians In the early settle
ment of Pennsylvania, when their white neigh
bors of other sccts in other sections were
constantly embrolled. 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 considerations induced
me to give the management OF few reservations
OF Indians to them, and to throw the burden Of
the selection of agents upon the society itself,
and the result has proven most satisfactory It
will be found more fully ret forth in the report of
the Commissioner # Indian Affairs. For Super
intendents and Indian agents not on reservations,
officers of the army we're selected. The reasons
for this are numerous When Indian agents are
sent there or near there troops must be sent also
The agent and the commander of the troops are in
dependent OF each other, and are subject to orders
rom the different departments OF the government.
The army officer holds position for life the agent
one at the will of the President. The former is
personally interested in living in harmony with the
Indian and the establishment of permanent peace,
TO the end that some portion of his life may be
spent within the limits of civilized section /;
the latter has no such personal interest.
Another reason is an economic one, and
still another hold which the government
has upon life officer to secure faithful dis
charge of duties in carrying out given policy.
The building OF railroads and the access thereby
given to all the agricultural and mineral regions OF
their country is rapidly bringing civilized settle
ments In contact with all tribes of Indians. No
matter what ought to be the relations between
such settlements and the aborgines, the fact is
they do not harmonic well, and one or the other
has TO give way in the end. A system which looks
to the determination of race is too horrible for
nation to adopt without entaling upon itself the
wrath OF all Chrstendom and cngendering in the
citizen disregard for human life and the rights OF
Others dangerous to society | sce no substitute
for such system except in placing all the indians
on large reservations ms rapidly as can be done,
and giving them absolute protection there as soon
as they are fitted for 1t. They should be induced
to take their lands in general and set up terri
torial governments for their own protection. For
full details on this subject call your special at
tention to the reports of the Secretary of Interior
and the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
The report of the Secretary of War shows the
expenditures of the War Department for the year
ending the Both of June, 1869, to be SS06i5 0i2 of
which S23SS2,310 was disbursed in the payment OF
debts contracted during the war and is not charge.
able TO the current army expenses. The estimate
OF SS4 53 OBI for the expenses of the army for the
next fiscal year Is al low as it is believed Can
be relied on. The estimates of Bureau officers
have been carefully scrutinized and reduced
wherever ii has been deemed practicable If how
ever. the condition of the country should be such
by the begmneg of the next fiscal year a. to admit
Of greater concentration of troops, the appropra-
ton asked for will not be ex pended.
The appropriation estimate Tor river and har-
Dor improvements and for Notifications are su b.
may deem proper to appropriate for these pur
poses will be expended The recommendation
OF the General of the Army that appropriations
be made for the forts of Boston, Portland, New
York, Philadelphia, New Orleans and San Fran
cisco, If for no other. is concurred in | also ask
your special attention TO the recommendation OF
the General commanding the military division OF
the Pacific for the sale OF all the seal islands of ST.
Paul and St George, Alaska Territory, and sug.
gest that 1t either be complied with, or that leg.
islation he bad for the protection of the seal fish.
cries, from which revenue should be derived
The report of the Secretary of War contains a
synopsis OF the heads of bureaus of the command.
ers of military divisions, and of the districts of Viz
ginla Mississippi and Texas, and the report of the
General of the Army inlull, The recommendations
therein contained have beer well considered and
are submitted for your action. l. however call
special attention TO the recommendation of the
CHIEF oil Ordnance for the sale of arsenals
and lands no longer of use to the gov.
eminent; also to the recommendation of the Sec
rotary OF War that the act of the Sd of March,
1869, prohibiting the promotions and appointment
OF stan corps of the army, be repealed, The ex-
tent Of country to be garrisoned and the number
OF military posts to be occupied, is the same with
areduced army as with large one The number
OF staff officers required is more dependent upon the
Lac - az.