The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-12-09

of the government. So far
as they are entitled to human treatment
and opportunity for Improvement and
the government is responsl-
BILE. But this duty can scarcely be dis
charged without more absolute control
and discretion than it is possible under
the present system. Many of our good
citizens have interested themselves with
the most beneficial results in the question
of prison reform. The general gov
eminent should be in situation
since there must be United States prison
ers to furnish important aid in this move
ment and should be able to illustrate
what may be practically done in tho direc-
ton of this reform and to present an ex-
ample in the treatment and improvement
of its prisoners worthy of imitation.
With its prisons under its own control the
government could deal with the somewhat
vexed question of convict labor, so far
as its convicts were concerned, according
to plan of its own adoption, and with
due regard to the rights and interests of
our laboring citizens, instead OF
sometimes aiding in the operation OF
a system which causes among them irrita-
ton and discomfort. Upon the consider
alton of this subject it might be thought
wise TO erect more than one of these in
situations, located in such PLACES as would
best subserve the purpose of convenience
and economy in transportation. The con-
siderable cost of maintaining these con-
victs, 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 US
wer0 needed for use by the government,
quite a, large pecuniary benefit
would be realized in partial re-
turn for our outlay.
JUDICIAL SYSTEM.
l again urge change in the
federal judicial system to meet
the wants of the people and
obviate the delays necessarily attending
the present condition of affairs in our
courts. All are agreed that something
should be done, ard much favor is shown,
by those we'll able to advise, the plan sug-
gested by the attorney-general at the last
session of congress, and recommended In
my last annual message. This recon-
mendation is here renewed, together with
another made at the same time
touching change in the manner
of com pensating district attorneys
and marshals, and the latter subject
recommended to the congress for its
action in the interest of economy to the
government and humanity, fairness and
justice to our people.
SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.
The report of the secretary of interior
presents comprehensive summary of the
work of the various branches of the pub
lie service connected with his department.
and the suggestions and recommendations
which it contains for the improvement
of the service should receive your careful
consideration. The exhibit of the con-
dition of our Indian population, and the
progress of the work for their en-
lightenment, notwithstanding the many
embarassments which hindered the ad-
ministration of this important
branch of service is gratifying and hope
full. The funds appropriated for the In
dian service for the fiscal year just passed,
with the available income from the Indian
land and trust money, amounting in all
to SUSCEPTIBLE, were ample for the SER
vice under the conditions and restrictions
of laws regulating their expenditure.
There remained on hand June 80,
1886, balance of $780, 23.30, of which
$1,337, 1921 are permanent funds
for the fultil]ment of treaties and other
like purposes, and the remainder, 1922
255.O9. is subject to be carried to the sur
plus fund as required by law.
The estimates presented for appropria-
lions for the ensuing fiscal year amount
to S,5O8. S73.64, or $442,396.2O less than
those laid before the congress last year.
AGENCY SYSTEM.
The present system Of agencies, while
absolutely necessary, and will be adopted
for the management of our Indian affairs
and for the ends in view, wher
it was adopted is in the present stage OF
Indian management inadequate-st standing
alone for the plishment of an OBJ
ect which has become pressing in its i'm
portance-the more rapid transition from
tribal organizations to citizenship of such
portions of the Indians as are capable OF
civilized life. When the existing system
was adopted the Indian race was outside
of the limits of organized states and ter.
ritories and beyond the immediate reach
and operation of civilization, and all
efforts were mainly directed to the main.
talnance of friendly relations and
the preservation of peace and
quiet on the frontier. All this
is now changed. There is no such thing
as the Indian on the frontier of civlliza.
ton. With the busy hum of industry and
the influence of Christianity which sur
rounds these people at every point, none
of the tribes are outside of the bounds OF
organized government and society, ex.
cept that the territorial system has not
been extended over the portion of the
country known as the Indian Territory
As race the Indians are no longer hos.
tile, but may be considered as 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. It is NO
longer possible for them to subsist bv the
chase, and the spontaneous productions of
the earth with an abundance of land, if
furnished with the means and implements
for profitable husbandry, their life of en-
tire dependence upon government rations
from daY to day is no lonper dafans;hIo