Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1886-12-07
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

nenaed the erection of a penltentiary 10,
he confinement Of prisoners convicted anu 4
entenced in the United States courts, anu
,e reneats the Recommendation III his re.
,ort for the last year. This is matter Oh
erv great importance and should at once
eceiTe congressional action. United states
prisoners are now cohhp1u III iiioio
han thirty different state prs
rs and penitentiaFies scattered iii
very mart of the country. hey are
ubiect to nearly as many different modes
f treatment and discipline and are Tar too
luch removed from the contr0! and reSu
,tien of tie government. 50 far rs they
re entitled to humane treatment and OPP
ortunity sor improvement and reforma-
on the government is responsible to them
nd society, bat these things are forlhcom-
~. But this duty can scarcely be dls-
harged without more absolute control and
than is possible under the pres
at system Many Of our good citizens
ave interested themselves with the most
enehcial results in the question
f prison reform. The general gov
rnment should be in situation.
ince there must he United States prisoners
D furnish important aid ia this movement
nd should be able to illustrate what may
e practically done in the direction OF this
eform and to present an example IN the
rcatment and improvement OF IFS prisoners
;orthy of imitation. With prisons under
3 own control the government could deal
nth the somewhat veXed question OF con
let labor, SO far as its convlcts were con-
4 70 nj
doption and with due regard TO the rights
nd interests of our labOrlng cltlZenS, Instead
f sometimes adding, in the operation OF
system which causes among them lrrl'a-
ION and discOptent Upon consideration
{ this subject it might be thought Wise 70
rect more than one of these laStltU,lons
)cated in such places as would best SUD,
erve the purposes of convenience ana
cOnOmy in transportation. ne consiu-
rable cost of maintaining these convlcts
) at present in state institutions would DE
aved by the adoption Of the plan proposed
nd bv employing them in the manufac-
are of such articles as were needed Tor
Sc for the government. Quite a large Pc
uniary benefit would be realized IN partial
eturn for our outlay.
| again urge change in the federal Ju-
icial system to meet the wants OF the PEG
lie and obviate the delays necessarily al
ending the present conditions OF affairs ID
,ur courts. All are agreed that some
hing should be done, and much favor Is
hown by those well able 10 advise, to the
,lan suggested BY the attorney general al
he last session of congress and recon-
nended in my last annual message ms
is here renewed, together
With another made at the same time
ouching a change in the manner
# compensating district attorneys
nd marshals and the latest subject l.
to the congress for lis aCtIoL
II the interest of economy TO the govern
nent and humanity, fairness and justice u
'ur people.
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
The report Of the secretary OF the inter
or presents comprehensive summary OF
he work of the various branches OF the
nblic service connected with his depart
nents and the suggestions and Tecommen
a,ions which it contains for the improve
oent of the service should receive you!
areful consideration. The exhibits made
f the conduct of ouI Indian population
nd the progress OF the work fOr their en-
ightenment, notwithstanding the many
mbarrassments which hinder the better
of this department
branch of the service is a gratifying anc
hopeful one. The funds appropriated 1ol
he Indian service for the fiscal year JUS
passed. with the available income from In
linn lands and trust moneys, amounting III
III to S7S5, CSS, 512, were ample for the ser
yice under the conditions and restrictions
# laws regulating their expenditures
There remained balance on hanC
m June 80, 1886. of 81, $50, 023. 80, OF
which 81 337 76S 81 are permanent luna
or fuIfIiment of treaties ana other Ike
purposes. and the remainder, 1922 255. %
; subject to be carried to the surplus tunt
Is required hy law. The estimates pre-
cntcd for appropriations for tn" ensuing
jsral wear amount to s., COS, SlJ 64, Oh
Nap 49,. 20 less than those laid before tn;
congress last wear. The present system OF
.rencics. while absolutely necessary anc
.ianted for the management ~ our Indian
fairs and for the ends in view WheI
, was adopted. in the present stage OF In
liam management. is inadequate, standing
hone for the accomplishment OF an ohJec
which has become pressing IN ITS lup"r
ance. the more rapid transition tromtrlfa
to citizenship of such portions
f the Indians a. are capable OF clvliiHe,
ife. When the existing system was adopt
II the Indian race was outside Of the limit:
# Organized states and territories and Toe
.ond the immediate reach and operation 81
utilization, and all efforts were mainly oil
-rcted to the maintenance OF friendly rtIa
ions and the preservation OF peace ant
inlet on the frontier. All thu
: now changed. There Is no such thing
,s the Indian frontier Civilization, VIII
he busy hum Of industry and the Iniiuencj
# christianity surrounds these people a
very point. None of the tribes are out
side Of the bounds of organized govern
neuts and society except that the terriIorla
system has not been extended over tia
portion of the country known ii the Indian
Territory. As a race. the Indians are u
longer hostile. but may be considered 3
submissive TO the control OF The govern
ments, rs few of them only Ct
Except the fragment
If several bands. all are nov
gathered up on reservations 1t is Il
longer possible for them To subsi>t by IL
chase Of the spontaneous productions q
The earth. With an abundance Of land
furnished with the means Of Implement
tor profitahl hu>handrE. their HE 81 Il
tire ,iependeuce upon government relsu0u
from day t. dav is 10 longer deieu>lhlt
Their inclinations long fo>teret by dt
fertive system If couiro! il To cling to II
habits and customs Of their ancestors an
struggle with persistence amongst Tn
changes of life which their altered olrcuu
stances press upon them. Bd
harbari>m and civilization cam.
live together: it Is impo>~loI
that such incongruouS conditions shou!
co-exi>t onthc same soil; they are = no
lion of our people. are Inier th@ al'hor.t
Of our government aud have pe'ulia
claim upon are eu;itled II the fosiefin