The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-12-06


vision he made by Congress for the organization OF
. corps of mounted !" Indian auxiharies," 70 be
the purpose of keeping the Indians on their reser-
yations and preventing or depressing disturbance
on their part. earnestly concur in this recon-
mendation. II Is believed that the organization or
such body Of Indian cavalry. receiving moderate
pay from the Government, would considerably weak
the restless element among the Indians by With
drawing from IL a number of young men and giving
them congenial employment under the Government
IL being matter of experience that Indians in our
service almost without exception are faithful in the
performance OF the duties assigned TO them. such
am organization would materially aid the army in
the accomplishment of task for which its nu-
merical strength is sometimes found insufficient
But, while the employment of force for the pre-
vention or repression of Indian troubles is of occa
sional necessity, and wise preparation should be
made 10 that end, greater reliance must be placed
humane and civilizing agencies for the ultimate
solution Of what is called the Indian problem. IL
may be very diffcult and require much patient
effort, TO curb the unruy spirit OF the savage In
dian 10 the restraints OF civilized life, but expert
ence shows that il is not impossible. Many OF the
tribes which now quiet and orderly and self
supporting were once as savage as any that al pres
ent roam the plains in the mountains OF the
far West. and then considered inaccessible 10
civilizing influences. 1t may be impossible 10 raise
them fully up TO the level OF the white population
of the United States: but should not forget that
they the aborigines of the country. and called
the soil their own on which our
people have grown rich, powerful, and
happy. We owe il 20 them a moral duty 10 help
them in attaining at least that degree of civilization
which they may be able TO reach II is not only
our duty-it is also our interest to do so. indians
who have become agriculturists herdsmen and
feel interest property will thenceforth cease 10
be a warlike and disturbing element. 1t Is also a
well-authenticated fact that Indians are apt to be
peaceabe and quiet when their children at school,
and am gratihed 70 know, from the expressions
OF Indians themselves and from many conctrriig
reports that there is steadily increasing DESIRE
even among Indians belonging to comparatively
wild tribes. 10 have their children educated. in
yte attention to the reports of the Secretary OF the
Interior and the Commissioner of Indian Affairs
touching the experiment recently inaugurated,
in taking fifty Indian children, boys ana
girls from different tribes. to the Hampton
Normal Agricultural Institute, in Virginia,
where they 10 receive an elementary
English education and training in agriculture and
other useful work. TO be returned totheir tribes,
after the completed course, 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. l agree with the Secretary of the In
terror in saying that the result of this interesting
experiment. if favorable. may be destined TO be
come an important factor in the advancement OF
civilization among the Indians"
The question whether a change in the control of
the Indian service should he made was at the last
session OF Congress- referred to committee for in
quiry and report Without desiring 20 anticipate
that report. venture 10 express the hope that in
the decision ~ so Important question. the views
expressed above may not be lost sight of. and that
the decision whatever il may he. will arrest further
agitation of this subject such agitation being apt
to produce disturbing effect upon the service as
well ~ on the Indians themselves.
Hot Springs Commission.
In the enrolment of the bill making appropria-
tons for suudly civil expenses the last session
of Congress. that portion which provided for the
continuation ct the Hot Springs Commission was
omitted. As the commission had completed the
work of taking testimony on the many conflicting
claims the SUSPENSION ut their labOrs. before de-
termining the rights Of claimants. threatened for a
time TO cnharrass the interests not only
of the Government but also of large
number OF the citizens of Hot Springs
Oh their claims before beginning contemplated inn
provements. In order 10 prevent scrinns difficulties
which were apprehendcd. and at the solic OF
many LEADING citizens of Hot Springs. and others
interested in the welfare OF the town the Secretary
of the Interior authorized to request the late
Commissioners 10 take charge of the records OF
their proceedings. and 10 perform such work as
could properly be- done 10y them under such cir
cumstanccs. to facilitate the oliudication of the
claims at early day. and to preserve the status
Of the claimants until their rights should lie
finally dctcunncd. The late Commissioners COM
piled with that request. and report that the test-
money. in all the cases. has been written out ex-
amncd. brietod. and arranged as 10 facilitate an
early settlement when authorized by law Ii is re-
commended that the requisite authority he given
at a. early day in the session as possible and
that fair compensation bc allowed the late Com.
missioners for the expenses incurred and the labor
performed by them since the 18th of June last.
Timber Lands.
mendations made by tho Secretary OF the Interior
with regard to the preservation of the timber ON
the public lands of the United States The pro-
lection of the public property is of first duties
of the Government. The Department of the Interior
should. therefore, be enabled by sufficient appro-
priations to enforce the laws in that respect But
this matter appears still more important as a ques
ton OF public economy. The rapid destruction Of
our forests is an evil fraught with the
graVeSt consequences. especially in the
mountainous districts where the rocky slopes once
ucnuded rem
There the injury. once done. cannot be repaired I
fully concur with the Secretary of the Interior in
the opinion that for this legislation touch
Ing the public timber in the mountainous States
and Territories OF the West should be especially
well considered. and that existing laws in which
the destruction OF the forests is not sufficiently
guarded against should be speedily modified 4
general law concerning this important subject
appears 70 Inc to be matter of urgent public ne
cessity.
Agriculture.
From the organization of the Government the i'm
portance of encouraging. by all possible means. the
increase OF our agricultural productions has been
Acknowledged and urged upon the attentrh of Con-
gress and the people the surest and readiest
means OF increasing our substantial and enduring
prosperity.
The words Of Washington arc as applicable to-
day as when in his eighth annual message hc said:
IL Is not to be doubted with reference either TO
individual or national welfare. agriculture is of
primary Importance. In proportion nations adj
vance in population and other circumstances of
maturity this truth becomes more appareut and
renders the cultivation of the soil more and more
an object of public patronage. Institutions for
promoting 1t grow up. supported by the public
purse and To what object can it be dedicated with
greater propriety? Among the means which have
been employed to this end none have been attended
wlth greater success than the establishment of
boards. composed Of proper characters. charged
with collecting and difusing information and en-
ablcd. by premiums and small pccuniary aids to
ehcora%" and assist the spirit of discovery and inn
prcNemcnt. this species of establishment contribut
lF doubly 10 the increase of Improvement by slim
uIatlig to enterprise and experiment. and by draw
ing 70 common center the results everywhere Of
Individual skill and observation, and spreading
IN thence over the whole nation. Experience ac-
cofdligly hath shown that they very cheap in
strulncnts OF Immense national benefit"
The great preponderance of the Agricultural over
any other interest in the United States entities IL 10
an the consideration claimed for it by Washington.
ABOUT one-hat OF the population of the United
states is engaged in agriculture. The value of the
agrlcultural products of the United States for the
year 1873 is estimated at $1,000. 900 600 The ex-
ports OF agricultural products for tile wear 1877
as appears from the report of the bureau OF
Stausucs were S524OO0.0U0 The great extent of our
country with its diversity of soil and climate. ena
pres us 10 produce within our own borders and bv
our own labor not only the necessares but most Of
.nc iuNurles that are consumed in civilized conn
.,ics. let Notwithstanding our advantages of soil
Innate ana REORGANIZATION IL appears from
ie stausucai statements in the report of the Conn
missioner OF Agriculture that import annually