The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-11

| slant demand Of our territorial development
and growing population for the extension and
increase OF mail facilities and machinery neces-
state q steady annual advance in outlay. Tho
careful estimate OF year ago upon the rates
| OF expenditure then existing. contemplated the
| unavoidable augmentation OF the deficiency
| in the last fiscal year by nearly two mill
| ions OF dollars. The anticipated revenue for
the last year failed OF realization by about &c.,
OOO but proper measures OF economy have so
satisfactorily limited the growth OF eXpendi-
lures that the total deficiency, In fact, fell be-
low that OF 1885, and ut this time the increase
OF revenue is IN u gaining ratio over the in.
crease Of cost. demonstrating the sufficiency OF
the present rates OF postage ultimately to sus.
tain the services. This is the more pleasing be-
cause our people enjoy now both cheaper post
age, proportionately to distances and vaster
and more costly service than any other upon
the globe.
The extension OF the free delivery service
as suggested by the Postmaster General, has
heretofore received my sanction, and it is to be
hoped suitable enactment may soon be agreed
upon.
renew my approval OF the recommendation
OF the Postmaster General that another assist
ant be provided for the Post-office Department
and invite your attention to the several other
recommendations in his report.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
The conduct OF the Department Of Justice for
the last fiscal year Is fully detailed IL the report
OF the Attorney General, and l invite the ear
nest attention Of Congress TO the same and due
consideration OF the recommendations therein
cOntulneu In the report submitted Dy tnlS
officer to the last session OF Congress, he
strongly recommended the erection OF a peni-
Tertiary for the confinement OF prisoners con-
vcted and sentenced in the United States
courts, and he repeats the recommendation in
his report for the last year. This is matter OF
very great Importance and should AT once re-
ceive Congressional action.
Many OF our good citizens have interested
themselves with the most beneficial results on
the question OF prison reform. The general
Government should be in situation, since
nish important aid in this movement, and
should be able to Illustrate what may be pract-
cally done in the direction OF this REFORM
and to present an example in the treat
ment and improvement of its prisoners worthy
OF imitation.
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
The report of the Secretary of the Interior
presents Il comprehensive summary of the
work of the various branches of the public serv-
ice connected with his department, and the sug-
gcstions ana recommendation which il contains
for the Improvement Of the service should re
ceive your careful consideration.
The present system of agencies while abSo
lutely necessary and well adapted for the man
agCment of Indian affairs ana for the ends in
view when il was adopted, is, in the present
stage OF Indian manage ment, inadequate,
standing alone for The accomplishment OF an
object which has become pressing in its i'm
portance, the more rapid transition from tr-
bal organizations to citizenship of such
portions OF the Indians as are capable
of civilized life. As Il race, the Indians are
no longer hostile, but may be considered rs
submissive to the control of the Government, as
few OF them only are troublesome. Except
the fragments of several bands, all are now
gathered upon reservations 1t is no longer
possible for them to subsist by the chase and
the spontaneous production of the earth. With
an abundance of land, II furnished with the
means and implements for profitable husband
ry their life of entire dependence upon Coy
eminent rations from day to day is no longer
defenslble.
They are a portion ofourpeople, are under the
authority of our Government, and have pecu-
liar claim upon, and are entitled to, the foster
ing care and protection of the Nation.
The Government can not relieve itself OF
this responsibility until they are far
trained and civilized as to be able wholly To
manage and care for themselves.
There Is less opposition to the education and
training of the Indian youth, rs shown by the
increased attendance upon the schools, and
there Is II yielding tendency for the individual
holding of lands. Development and advance
ment in these directions are essential and
should have every encouragement. As the ris-
ing generation are taught the language OF cyili-
Zatiun and trained in habits OF industry, they
should assume the duties, privileges and re
sponsibilities of citizenship.
No obstacle should hinder the location and
settlement of any Indian willing to take land in
severalty. On the contrary, the inclination to do
so should be stimulated at all times when
proper and eXpedient, but there is no author
ity of law for making allotments on
some of the reservations, and on others
the allotmentS provided for are so small
that the Indians, though ready and dcsir-
ing TO settle down, are not willing to accept
such small areas when their reservations con
tain ample lands to afford them home steads of
sufficient size to meet their present and future
needs. The Inequalities of existing spe-
cial laws and treaties should be
ton on the subject should be pro
vided, so that the more progressive members
of the different tribes may be settled upon
homesteads and by their example learn others
to follow breaking away from tribal customs
and substituting therefor the love OF home, the
interest OF the family and the rule OF the state.
THE PUBLIC DEBT.
The sum paid upon the public debt during the
fiscal year ended June 3D. 1896, was 81, h5l0ii.36.
During the twelve months ended October 81,
1885, B per cent bonds were called for redcmp
ton. amounting to Sl27, 100, of which SSlGid,
2OJ was so called to answer the requirements OF
the law relating to the sinking fund, and
s46399 for the purpose of reducing the public
debt by application of a part of the surplus in
the treasury to that object. OF the bonds
thus called O2,260,45o became subject under
such calls to redemption prior to November |,
1886. The remainder, amounting to $3.50, 1850,
maturcd under the calls after that date. In adj
prior to November there Were
also paid before that day certain OF these
bonds with the interest thereon amount, !
M to S5,072,2jO which were anticipated |
H. - ttc maturity of which S.G6LS5o had not
bee, ilni. Thus SlO7,3Il 800 had been |
actually .ppicd prior to the LIST Of November |
lNO, To lIt TX l-ulSillncnt OF our DOnutl ana !
interest bearing dtDt, leaving on that day still |
the sum Of 81, 1873 Ii3 liz. OF thi, |
amount tS6, $3.50 was still represented by per
cent bonds. They however, have been since |
II, or will at once be, further reduced
by 22,6B, 49, being bonds which have been |
called as already stated, but not redeemed ana !
cancelled before the latter date.
SILVER COINAGE.
/ have seen no reason to change the views |
expressed IN my last annual message on the |
subject Of this compulsory coinage, and ! again |
urge its suspension on all the grounds con. |
tanned in my former recommendation, rein |
forced by the significant increase OF our gold |
expectations during the last year, and for the |
further reasons that the more this currency Is |
distributed among the people the greater be
,omes our duty TO protect it from disaster;
md that there seems but little propriety in |
building vaults To store such currency, when |
he only pretense for its coinage Is the nccc>-
,ity OF its use by the people as circulating |
medium.
THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
The report OF the Secretary of War gives de-
allied account OF the administration of his de.
and contains sundry recommends
ions for the improvement of the service, which
fully approve. The army consisted, at the
late OF the last consolidated return, OF . lu3
ulcers and 2i9i6 enlisted men. The expenses
# the department for the last fiscal year were
81 3S, including $o,2si3b.i3 for public
works and river and harbor improvements.
especially direct the attention of the Congress
% the recommendation that officers be required
% submit TO an examination as IA preliminary to
heir promotion.