The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1886-12-14

and discomfort. Upon consideration
of this subject it might be thought |
wise to erect more than one of these
institutions, located in such places
as would best suhserve the purpose
of convenience and economy in trans
portation. The considerable cost of
maintaining these convicts as at
present, in State institutions, would
be saved by the adoption OF the plan
proposed. and by employing them in
the manufacture of such articles as
were needed for use by the Govern
ment, quite large benefit would be
realized in partial return for our
outlay.
THE INDIAN PROBLEM.
The present system of Indian
agencies, while absolutely necessary
and well adapted for the manage
mcnt of cur Indian affairs and for
the ends in view when it was adopt
ed, is, in the present stage of Indian
management, inadequate, standing
alone. for the accomplishment of an
object which has become pressing in
its importance-the more rapid
transition from tribal organizations
to citizenship of such portions of
the Indians as are capable of civil
lied life. When the existing system
was adopted the Indian race was
outside of the limits of organized
States and Territories ond beyond
the immediate reach and operation
of civilization, and all efforts were
mainly directed to the maintenance
of friendly relations and the prescr-
vation Of peace and quiet Of the
frontier. All this is now changed.
There is no such thing as the Indian
frontier. Civilization, with the busy
hum of industry and the influences
of Christianity, surrounds these peo-
pie at every point. None of these
tribes are outside Of organized gov
ernment and society, except that the
Territorial system has not been ex-
tended over that portion of the coun-
try known as the Indian Territory.
AS a race, the Indians are no longer
hostile, bat may be considered as
submissive to the control of the gov
ernment; few of them only are tronb-
lesome. Except the fragments of
several bands, all are gathered upon
reservations. 1t is no longer possi-
bile for them to subsist by the chase
and spontaneous productions of the
earth, with an abundance of land, if
furnished with the means and imple-
ments for profitable husbandry,
their life of entire dependence upon
Government rations from day to day
is no longer defensible Their incli-
nation, long fostered by defective
system of control, is to cling to the
habits and customs of their ances-
tors, any struggle with persistence
against the change of lite which
their altered circumstances press
upon them But barbarism and civ
ilization cannot live together. 1t is
impossible that such incongrous con-
ditions should co-exist on. the same
soil. They are portion of our peo-
pie, are u,.der the authority of our
government, and have a peculiar
claim upon and are entitled to, the
fostering care and protection of the
Natio2. The government cannot re-
lieve itself of its responsibility until
they are so far trained and civilized
as to be able wholly to manage and
care for themselves. The path in
which they walk must be clearly
marked ont for them, and they must
be led or guided until they are ia
miliar with the way and competent
70 assume the duties and response
bilities of our citizens. Progress
in this great work will continue only
at the present slow pace and at
great expense unless the system and
methods of management are improv-
I'd to meet the changed conditions
and urgent demands of the service.
The agents having general charge
and supervision, in many cases, of
more than five thousand Indians,
scattered over large reservations and
burdened with the "details ofaccount-
ability for funds and supplies, have
time to look after the industrial
training and improvement of few
Indians only. The many are neg
lected and remain idle and depend
ent, conditions not favorable for
progress in civilization. The com
pensation allowed these agents, and
the conditions of the service, are not
calculated to secure for the work,
men who are fitted by ability and
skill to properly plan and intelli-
gently direct the methods best adapt
ed to produce the most speedy re-
suits and permanent benefits. Hence
the necessity for supplement agen-
cy or system, directed to the end of
promoting the general and more rap
id transition of the tribes from hab-
its and customs of barbarism to the
ways of civilization.
THE TREASURY SURPLUS.
In my last annual message to Con
gress attention was directed to the
fact. that the revenue of the Govern
ment exceeded its actual needs, and
it was suggested that Legislative act
ion should be taken to relieve the
people from the unnecessary burden
of taxation made apparent In view
of the pressing Importance of the
subject | deem it my duty to again
urge its consideration.
The income of the Government by
its increased volume, and through
economies in its collection, is now
more than ever in excess of public
necessities. The application Of the
surplus to the payment OF such por-
tion of the public debt as is now at
our option subject to extinguish-
ment, if continued at the rate which
has lately prevailed, would retire
that class of Indebtedness in less
than one year from this date. Thus
a continuation Of our present reve-
nue. system would soon result in the