Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1886-12-17
THE AGENCY SYSTEM.


iJHStCUG ~ tWO 4JeUeSgsecs
The President in his message to Cong |
ress talks on the Indian question as
follows:
The present system Of agencies. while J
necessary and we'll adapted for the
of our Indian affairs and |
for the ends in view when 1t was adop-
ted, is in the present stage of Indian
m ,nagement inadequate for the accom-
plishment of an object which has become
pressing in its importance, viz: The
m ore rapid transition from tribal organ
izations to citizenship of such portions
oisthe Indians as are adapted to and
capable of civilized life. When the
existing system was adopted the Indian
race was outside the limits of organized
states and territories, and beyond the
immediate reach and operation of civili-
cation, and all efforts were mainly direc-
ted to the maintenance of friendly
relations and the preservation Of peace
and quiet on the frontier. Civilization
With the busy hum of industry and the
influence of christianity surrounds these
people at every point. None fthese
tribes are outside tho bounds OF organ
lied civil government and society,
except that the territorial system has
not been extended over that portion Of
the country known as Indian territory.
As q race the Indians are no longer
hostile, but may be considered as sub
missive to the control of the government
az few of them are troublesome. Except
che fragment of several bands, they are
all now gathered upon reservations. 1t
Is no longer possible for them to subsist
by the chase and the spontaneous pro-
duction of nature. With abundance of
land and furnished with the means and
implements for profitable husbandry,
their life of entire dependence upon
government rations from day to day is
no longer defensible. Their inclination
long fostered by detected system of
control, is to cling to the habits and
customs of their ancestors, and struggle
with persistence against the change of
life which their altered circumstances
press upon them, but barbarism and
civilization cannot live together. 1t is
impossible that such incongruous con-
ditions should co-exist on the same soil.
They are q portion of our people; are
under the authority of our government !;
have peculiar claim upon and entitled
to the fostering cars and protection of
the nation. The government cannot
relieve itself of this responsibility until
they are able wholly to manage and
care for themselves. The path in which
they should walk must be clearly
marked out for them, and they must be
led aud guided until they are familiar
with the way and competent to assume
the duties and responsibilities Of citizen
ship. This crest work will continue
only at the present slow progress and at
great expense, unless the system and
methods of management are improved
to meet the changed condition and
earnest demands of the service. The
agents, having general charge and super
vision in many cases of more than 5000
Indians, scattered over large reserva-
tions, and burdeded with the details of
accountability for funds and supplies,
have little time to look after the in
dustrial training and improvement of
few Indians only. The many are
neglected and remain idle aud de.
PRAYED. Such conditions are not favor
able for progress in civilization. The
compensation allowed these agents, and
the conditions of the service, are not
calculated to secure men who are fitted
by ability and skill to properly plan
and intelligently direct the methods
best adapted to produce the most
speedy results and permanent benefits
hence the necessity for supplemental
agency or system, directed to the end
of promoting the general and more
rapid transition OF tribes from the
habits and customs of barbarity to the.
ways of civilization.
The time is ripe for the work Of such
an agency there is less opposition to
the education and training of the Indian
youth, as shown by the increased atten-
tion upon the schools, and there is a
yielding tendency for the individual
holding of lands. Developments and
in these directions are
and should have every encour
agement. AS the rising generations are
taught the language of civilization and
trained in the habits of industry they
should assume the duties, privileges |
and responsibilities of citizenship.
no obstacle should hinder the loca-
ton sad settlement of any Indian |
willing to take lands in severalty. On
the contrary the inclination to do 81
should be stimulated at all times, when
proper and expedient. But there is no