The Worthington advance., 1878-12-05

'Ml.BlER 5, 1878. -, 49, To-. =: -, 49,. ~
oluding from the mails matter which dosa not
pay its way? ..,.... -. ,,.,.,....:.
ished2' al. ~, 0o w. =, = 1'.'.
Should other methods be adopted which will
increase the revenue or diminish the expenses
OF the postal service? ~; al 80 !
~. INTERNATIONAL POSTAL CONGRESS- :usi
+! The international postal congress, which met
at Paris May !, 1878, and continued in session
until June 4th of the same year, was composed
of delegates from nearly all the civilized cour-
tries of the world. 1t adopted new conyen-
ton to take the place Of the treaty concluded
at berne, Oct. 8, 1874, which goes into effect on
tries whose delegates have signed it.
It was ratified and approved by and
with the consent Of the Presi-
dent, August l3, 1878. Synopsis of this
universal postal convention will be found in
the report of the postmaster-general, and the
full text in the appendix thereto. In it's origin
the postal union comprised twenty-three cou,l-
tries, having population of $50, ,O0O, 600 of
people. On the 1st of April next it will conf
prise forty-three countries and colonies with q
population of 650, ,OOO, 900 of people, and will
soon, by the accession of the few remaining
countries and colonies which maintain organ
ized postal services, constitute in fact as we'll
as IN name, as its new title indicates. a univer-
sal union, regulating upon uniform basis of
cheap postage rates the postal interests be-
tween all civilized nations.
Some embarrassment has arisen out of the
conflict between the customs laws of this coun-
try and the provision Of the postal convention
IN regard to the transmission of foreign books
and newspapers to this country by mail. It is
hoped that Congress will be able to devise
some means OF rcconciling the difficulties which
nave thus been created, SO a. to do justice to
all parties involved.
COURT BUSINESS
The business of the supreme court and of
courts IN many of the circuits was increased to
such an extent during past years, that addi-
tlonal legislation is imperative to relieve and
prevent the delay of justice, and possible op-
preston to suitors, which is thus occasioned,
The encumbered condition of these dockets is
presented anew in the report of the attorney
general and tho remedy suggested is earnestly
urged Tor Congressional action, The creation
OF additional circuit judges, as proposed, would
afford complete remedy, and would involve
an expense, at the present rate of salaries, of
not more than $60,000 year.
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
The annual report of the secretary Of the
interior, and of the commissioner of Indian
affairs, present an elaborate account of the
present condition Of the Indian tribes. and of
that branch of the public service which minis
ters to their interests. While the conduct of
the Indians generally has been ORDERLY. and
their relations with their neighbors friendly
and peaceful, two local disturbances have oc-
Cured which were deplorable in their
character, but remained happily con-
tined to a comparatively small number of
lndlans. The discomfort among the Bannocks,
which led first to some acts of Whence OH the
part OF some members of the tribe, and finally
to the outbreak, appears to have been caused
by an lnsutfciency of food on the reservation.
and this lnsut1iciency to have been owing to the
lnadequacy OF the appropriations made by
congress to the wants of the Indians at q
Time "hen the Indians were prevented from
supplying the deficiency by hunting.
troops of the United States on several engage
ments the hostile Indians were reduced to sub
lection. and large part of them surrendered
themselves as prisoners. In this connection I
desire to call attention to the recommendation
made by the secretary Of the interior that a
sufficient fund be placed at the disposal of the
executive TO be used with proper accountability
at discretion IN sudden emergencies of the In
dian service.
The other case of disturbance was that of IL
band of Northern Cheyennes, who suddenly
left their reservation, in the Indian territory.
and marched rapidly through the States Of
Kansas and Nebraska in the direction of their
old hunting grounds, committing murders and
other crimes on their way. From documents
accompanying the report of the secretary of
the interior it appears that this disorderly band
was as fully supplied with the necessaries Of
life as the 400 other Indians who
remained quietly on their reservation,
and that the disturbance was caused by
Of raSt loss 1rl
among the Indians themselves. Almost the
whole OF the band have surrendered to the
military authorities, and it is a 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 a. prisoners, and readily gave them
up to the officers Of the United States thus
giving new proof of loyal spirit. which,
alarming rumors to the contrary notwithstand-
ing, they had uniformly shown ever since the
wishes they expressed at the council of Sep
tember, 1877, had been complied with.
MOUNTED INDIAN AUx1L1AR1Es.
Both the secretary of the interior and the
secretary of war unite in the recommendation
that provision be made by Congress for the or
ganization of corps of mounted ''Indian
auXlllaries," to be under the control of the
army. and to be used for the purpose of keep
ing the Indians their reservations, and pre-
venting and repressing disturbance OIL their
part. l earnestly concur in this recommended
tion. It is believed that the organization of
such body of Indian cavalry, receiving a
moderate pay from the government, would
considerably weaken the restless clement
among the Indians by withdrawing from it a
number OF young men and giving them con-
genial employment under the government,
1t being matter of experience that Indians in
our service, almost without exception, are
faithful in the performance of duties assigned
to them. Such an organization would materi-
ally aid the army in the accomplishment of a
task for which its numerical strength is some
times found insufficient. But while the en-
ployment of force for the prevention or reprcs-
sion of Indian troubles is Of occasional ncces-
sity, wise preparation should be made to that
end, greater reliance must be placed on humane
and civilizing agencies for the ultimate solution
Of what is called the Indian problem.
1t may be very difficult and require much pa
tent effort to curb the unruly spirit of the saw
age Indian to the restraints Of civilized life, but
experience shows that it is not impossible.
Many of the tribes which are now quiet and or.
derly and self-supporting, were once as savage
as any that at present roam over the plains OF
in the mountains of the far West and were then
considered inaccessible to civilizng influence.
1t may be impossible to raise them fully up to
the level of the white population of the United
States, but we should not forget that they are
the aborlgines of the country, and called the
soil their own on which our people have
grown rich, powerful and happy. We owe
it to them as a moral duty to help them in at
tanning at least that degree of civilization which
they may be able to reach. 1t is not only our
duty, it is also our interest to do 30. Indians
who have become agriculturists or herdsmen,
and feel an interest in property, will thence.
forth cease to be warlike and disturbing
element.
INDIAN EDUCATION.
It is also a we'll authenticated fact that Iu-
dians are apt to be peaceable and quiet when
their children are at school, and am gratifed
to know from the expressions of Indians them.
selves, and from many concurring reports, that
there is a steadily increasing desire among In
dians belonging to comparatively wild tribes
to have their children educated. invite at
tention 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 and girls,
from different tribes, to the Hampton Normal
Agricultural institute in Virginia. where they