The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1877-12-14

slow because the treatment they re-
ccived did not permit them 10
gain faster. Wecan not expect them Ia nm
prove and follow our guidance unless We
keep faith with them respecting the rights
they possess, and unless, instead Of dcpriy-
ING them Of opportunities, we lend them a
helping hand. cordially approve this poll
\ cy regarding the management ~ Indian NJ :
fairs outlined In the report Of the Secretary
OF the Interior, and OF the Commissioner OF
Indian Affairs. The faithful performance Of
our promises Is the first condition Of good
understanding with the Indians. l can not
too urgently recommend 70 Congress that
prompt and liberal provision be made
for the conscientious fulfillment of
all engagements entered into by the
Government with Indian tribes. To with
hold the means necessary for the per-
formancc OF promise Is always false econo-
my, and Is apt 70 prove disastrous in It's
consequences. Especial care il recommend
ed 10 provide for Indians settled on their
reservations cattle and agricultural mple-
mcnts, 10 aid them In whatever efforts they
make 70 support themselves, and by the re-
establishment and maintenance Of schools 10
bring them under the control Of civilized in
fiucnces. see no reason why Indians who
can give satisfactory proof OF having by their
own labor supported their families for a
number Of years, and are willing 10 detach
themselves from their tribal relations,
homestead act and the privilege Of citizen
ship, and recommend the passage OF law
10 that effect. IL will be an act Of Justice, as
well As measure OF encouragement.
Earnest efforts are being made &c purify
the Indian Service, 30 that every dollar ap-
propriatcd by Congress shalt rebound 10 the
benefit Of the Indians 10 he benefited.
These efforts viii have my firm support.
With an improved service and every possible
encouragement held ont 10 the Indians to
better their condition and TO elevate them
selves IN the scale OF civilization, We may
hope 10 do M the same time a great work for
them and for ourselves.
PRESERVATION or FORESTS.
l invite the attention OF Congress 10 the
importance Of statements and suggestions
made by the Secretary Of the Interior con-
corning depredations committed upon tim
ber- LANDS Of the United States, and the ne
cessitv for the preservation ~ forests. II Is
believed that the measures taken, in pursu
ance Of existing law, TO arrest these depre-
dations will be entirely successful il Con-
gress, by an appropriation for that purpose,
renders their continued enforcement possi-
bic. The experience Of other nations
teaches us that a country can not be stripped
Of its forests with impunity, and we shall
expose ourselves 10 the grayest con-
prOyident manner In which the forests in
the United States are destroyed be effect
ualy checked. earnestly recommend
that the measures suggested by the Sec
rotary Of the Interior for the suppression
Of depreciation on the public tImbcr-lands
Of the United States, for the selling timber
from the public lands, and for the preserya-
ton Of forests, be embodied In a law, and
that considering the urgent necessity OF en-
ablng people Of certain States and Terri
tories TO purchase timber from the public
lands In legal manner, which az present
lut
unavoidable delay. would also call the at
teniion 81 Congress 10 statements made by
the Secretary OF the Interior concerning the
disposition that might be made Of the desert
lands not irrigated. west Of the one hum
dredth meridian. These lands are particu-
laIly unsalcabc under existing laws, and the
suggestion y worthy Of consideration, that
system Of leasehoid tenure would make
them source OF profit 10 the United States,
while At the same time legalizing the busi-
ness of cattlc-raising, which l. AZ present
carried on upon them.
OUR AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES.
The report Of the Commissioner OF Agri-
culture contains the gratifying announce
menf Of the extraordinary success which has
rewarded the agricultural industry ~ the
country for the past year. With the fair
prices which obtain for products Of the soil,
especially for the surplus which our people \
have 10 export, we may confidently turn 20 I
this most important Of all our resources for (
the revival Of the depressed industries o. the
country. The report shows orr agricultural
progress during the year and contains a
statement OF the work done by this Depart \
menf for the advancement Df agricultural in-
dustry, upon which the prosperity OF our
people 80 largely depends. Matters OF infor-
nation are included Of great interest 70 all
who seek by the experience OF others 70 inn
prove their own methods Of cultivation.
The efforts Of the Department 10 increase
the production OF important articles Of con-
sumption will, il IL hoped, improve the de-
mand for labor and advance the business Of
the country, and eventually result In saving
the many millions that are annually paid TO
foreign nations for sugar and other sugar
products which habitual use has made ne
ccssary In our domestic everyday life.
THE DISTRICT or COLUMBIA.
THE Presidenttr treats at some length Of the
affairs OF the District. He recommends
by Congress for various local
improvements In aid Of the Public schools
OF the District, and also for the completion
OF the Washington Monumcnt.l
ANATT0NAL scHooLFUND.
The wisdom OF legislation upon the part
Of Congress in aid Of the States for educat-
ing the whole people in those branches Of
study which are taught in the common
schools Of the country H. no longer ques-
tion. The intelligent judgment Of the cvun
try goes still further, regarding II a. Con-
stlfutional and cxpedfent for The General
Government to extend TO technical and
higher education such aid rs Il deemed
essential 70 the general welfare and 70 our
due prominence among the enlightened
and cultivated nations Of the world.
The ultimate settlement OF all questions
Of the future, whether OF admins
tration or finance, depends upon the
virtue and intelligence Of the people, and II
Il vain 10 hope 70 perpetuatc a free Govern
ment without means Of insuring the intelli-
gencc 81 those who are the source Of power.
No less than onc-scycnth Of the entire voting
population ~ our country are yet unable ~
read and write. u l. encouraging 70 observe