The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-12-03

for which the numerical strength is some
times found insufficient.
But while the employment of fofcs for
thu prevention CT repression of Indian
troubles is of occasional necessity aud
wise preparation should ne made 10 that end
greater reliance must be placed on humane
aud civilizing ageactes Tor the ultm ate solu-
ton of what is called the Indian problem. 1t
may be very difficult and require much patient
effort TO curb the unruly spirit of the savage
Indian to the restraints of civilized Ifs, bat
experience shows that it is not impossible
Many of the tribss which were once as savage
as any that at present roam over the plains or
in the mountains of the far West and were
then considered inaccessible to civlizing n
fuences, have nevertheless been civilized
L. NAV bs 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 aborigines of this couutry and called the SOIL
their own on which our people have grown
rich, powerful aud happy. We owe 1t to them
as a moral duty to help them ia attaining at
least that degree of civilization which they may
be able to reach. 1t is not only our duty, 1t Is
also our interest, to do so. indians who have
become agriculturallsts or herdsmen and feel
an interest in property will henceforth cease to
bs warlike and disturbing element.
1t is also we'll au henticated fact that In
dams are apt to be peaceable and quiet when
to know from the expressions of the Indians
themselves. and from many concurring reports,
that there is a steadily increasing desire even
among Indians belonging to comparatively
wild tribes to have their children educated, L
invite attention to the reports of the Secretary
of the Interior and the Commissioner of Indian
Affairs touching the experiment recently inaug-
grated in taking 90 Indian children, boys and
girls, from different tribes to the Hampton
Normal Agricultural Institute in Virginia,
han tn m al 1toY
llsh edcuation and training in agricultural and
other useful work, to be returned to their tribes
after the completed course as Interpreters, IT,
structors and exemplors 1t is reported that the
officer charged with the selection OF these child
rem might have had thousands of young Indians
sent with him had it been possible to make
provision for them. agree with the Secretary
of the Interior in saying that the result of this
interesting experiment, it favorable, may be
destined to become an important factor in the
advancement of civilization among the Iu-
dams.
The question whether change in the con.
troll of the Indian service should be made was
at the last session of Congress referred to a
committee for inquiry and report. Without
desiring to anticipate that report L venture to
express the hope, that in the decision of so i'm
portant question the views expressed above
may not be lost sight of, and that the decision
whatever it may be will arrest further agita-
ton of this subject, such agitation being apt
to produce a disturbing effect upon the
service as well as on the Indians themselves.
The Hot Springs Reservation.
Inthe enrolment of the bill making appropri-
ations for sundry civil expenses at the last ses-
sion OF Congress, that portion which provided
for the continuation of the the Hot Springs
Commission was omitted. As the commission
had completed the work of taking testimony
on the many conflicting claims, the suspension
of their labors before determining the rights of
claimants, threatened fora time to embarrass
the interests, not only of the government, but
also OF large number of the citizens of Hot
Springs who were waiting for final action on
their claims before beginning contemplated
improvements. In order to prevent serious
difficulties which were apprehended, and at the
solicitation of many leading citizens Of Hot
Springs and o. hers interested in the welfare of
the town, the Secretary of the Interior was q u
thorzed to request the late commissioners to
| take charge OF the records of their proceedings
| and to perform such work as they thought
| could be properly done by them under such
circumstances 10 facilitate the future adiudica-
| serve the status of the claimants until
| their rights should be fully determined.
The late commissioners complied with that re-
quest and report that the testimony in all cases
mas been written out, examined, briefed and
80 arranged as to facilitate an early settlement
| when authorized by law. 1t is Recommended
that the requisite authority be given at as early
a day in The session as possible, and that fair
| compensation be allowed the late commissloL-
| ers for the expense incurred and the labor per.
formed by them since the % III of jane last.
Preservation of Forests.
invite the attention of Congress to the rec
concentrations made by the Secretary Of the
Interior with regard to the preservation of the
timber on the public lands of the United
Ssates The protection of the public property
ls one OF the first duties OF the government The
department. of the Interior should therefore be
enabled by sufficient appropriations to enforce
the laws IN that respect, but this matter ap-
pears still more important as question Of pub
| lie economy. the rapid destruction of our for
ests is an evil frsught with the gravest conse-
| quences, especially in the mountainous districts
where the rocky slopes once denuded of their
| trees will remain so forever There the iuiory
| once done cannot be repai red. fully concur
| with the Secretary of the Interior in the opin-
Ion that for this reason legislation touching the
public timber in tina mountainous states and
territories of the West should be especially
well considered, and that existing laws 10
which the destruction of the forests is not suffi-
cientiy guarded against, should bs speedily
modified A general law concern ng this I'M
portant Su5Ject appears to me to bS matter of
urgent necessity.
The Dep artment of Agriculture.
From the organization of the government
| the importance OF encouraging by all possible
| means the increase OF our agricultural pro.
auctions has been acknowledge and urged up
l III WIG "usOdetoh VI OouSttSS huu bD6 poODl0 as
| the surest and readest means of increasing
| our substantial and enduring prosperity. The
words OF Washington are as applicable today
| as when in his 9Th annual message, he said
1T is not to be doubted that with reference
either to individual or national welfare agricul-
| ture is of primary importance. In proportion
as nations advance in population aud other
| circumstances Of maturity this truth becomes
more apparent and renders tine cultivation Of
soil more and more an object of public
1 Ivof sArts
| grow up supported by the public purse and to
what CAN'T be dedicated with greater proprety.
Among the means which have been employed
| to this end none have been attended with sreat-
or success than the establishment of boards
/ composed of proper characters charged with
collecting aod dffusing information and en-.
| abled by premiums and small pecuniary aids 70
encourage and assist the spirit of discovery
and Improvement, this species Of establishment
| contributing doubly to the increase of i'm prove.
ment by stimulating to enterprise and expert.
ment, and by drawing to a common centre the
results every where of individual skill and OBJ
servati0n, and spreading them thence over the
whole nation Experience accordingly hath
shown that they are very cheap instruments OF
| immense national benefit" The great nrenon.
| deraDce of the agricultural over apy other in.
terest in the United States entities it to all the
consideration claimed for it by Washington.
| About one-haf of the population of the United
States is engaged in agriculture. The value
" tHo dgricultural pTOOuctS OF the u nited
states for the year 1878, is estimated at $3,OOO,-
000,000 The exports of agricultural products
for the year 1877, as APPEARS from the report of
the Bureau of Statistics, were 1874, OOO, 900.
The great extent of our country win us d.
versity of soil and climate enables us to pro-
doce within our own borders and by
our own labor not only the necessaries
but most of the luxures that are consumed in
civilized countries Yet notwithstanding our
advantages OF soil, climate and inter-com mum.
Cation it appears from the statistical Statements
in the report of the Commissioner of Agri.
culture that we import annually from FOREIGN
lands many million of dollars worth of agricnI
tural products, which could be raised in our
own country.
Numerous questions arse in the pactice of
advanced agriculture which can only be
answer d by experiments, costly and some-
times fruitless, which are beyond the means of
private individuals, and a just and proper
charge on the whole nation for the bsnefit Of
the nation 1t is good policy especially in
times of depression and uncertainty of other
business pursuits with vast area of uncul-
tlvated and hence unproductve territory wise
~ opened to homestead settlement to en-.
courage by every proper and legitimate means
the occupation and tillage of the soil. The
Of fhn