Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1886-12-08
THE INDIAN PROBLEM.
yARyoI'S UFtspM DATl0Na


The report of the secretary of the interior
presents comprehensive summary OF the work
of the various branches of the public service
connected with his department and the sugges-
tons and recommendations which Ii contains for
tho Improvement of the service, should receive
your careful consideration. The exhibit made of
the condition of our Indian population and the
progress of Inc work for their enlightenment.
notwithstanding the many emhafrassmebts
which hinder the better administration pf that
important branch of the service, is gratifying
and hopeful one, The funds appropriated for
the Indian service for the fiscal year just passed
with the available income from lndIap land
trust moneys, amounting in all to 81 s5s,ll512.
were ample for toe seryica under the conditions
and restrictions of the laws regulating their ez,
penditure There remained balance on hand
on June 30, 1888. Of $ Sd 20 3d. of which ST.
SS775i2l are permanent funds for the fulfill
ment of treaties ana other like purposes and the
remainder. 1922 21A. is subject to be carried To
surplus fund, as required 10y law. The estimates
presented for appropriations for the ensuing
fiscal year amount 10 S5itS si3 IA. or SAP 1921
less than those laid ,sfore congress last year.
THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF AGENCIES,
while absolutely necessary and well adapted for
the management of our Indian affairs for the
ends in view when it was adopted is in the pres
ent stage of Indian management inadequate:
an object which has become pressing
in it's Importance, the more rapid
transition from tribai organizations to citizen
ship of such portions of the Indians as are in
capable of civilized life. When the existing sys-
tenn was hdopte the Indian race was outside the
limits OF orgaaizad states and territories, and be-
yunj the iinHiediaie reach and operation of CIV
ii2atiuD and all eifa u were mainly directed To
the main tenauee of friendly relations and the
preservation of paacs and gait on the frontier.
All this is now changed. There is now no such
ing as lud,an frontier civilization. With the
busy hum of industry and the influence of Chris
tianity surrounding these people at every print.
none ~ the Tribes ontside OF the bounds OF
orgariz Cove nment and society except that
The territorial system he's not been extended over
that portion of the country known as the Indian
Territory. AS race the Indians longer
hostile, but may be considered re submissive to
The control Of the government. few
OF them only are troublesome except
the fragments OF several bands that are now
gather ii ppon the reservations, AID il is no
longer possible for them tn subsis, by the chase
With an abundance If land, If furnished with the
means and implements for profitable husbandfy,
THEIR LIFE OF ENTIRE DEPENDENCE
upon government rations from day to day is no
l0si:eg de1ensible Their inclination, long
fostered by 2 defective system of control, 10 to
ciirg 10 the habits End customs Of their ances-
tors and s;ruegle with persistence against
change of life which their altered circumstances
press upon them. Bnt barharism and civiliza-
ion cannot live together. II is impossible that
such homogeneous conditions should co-exist on
the salae soil. They are portion OF our people,
under the authority OF our govern
and are entitled to the fostering care
and protection Of the nation, Hnd the govern
ment cannot relieve itself Of this responsibility
until they so far trained and civilized as to
bs wholly able to manage aid care for them
selves. The path in which they should walk
must be clearly marked out for them. aud they
must be led or guided until they are familiar
with the ways and competent to assume the du-
ties and responsibilities Of our citizenship.
Prosrets in this great work will continue only at
the present SLOW pace and at great expense unless
tbs eystou ard methods Of management are inn
proved 10 meet the CHANGED conditions and mr.
gent demands of the service.
TIRE Agents. HAVING GENERAL CHARGE
and supervision in many cases OF more than five
iions and bufdened with the details of accounta-
biily for funds aud supplies have time to
look sfter the industrial raining and
There. ere many neglected and remain idle
and DEPENDENT conditions not favorable for
progress in civilization. The compensation al
lowed these agents and the conditions OF the
service are not calculated to secure for the work.
men WAC are fitted by ability and skill to prop
ssly plan and intelligently direct the methods
best adapted TO produce the most speedy results
AMI permanent benefits, hence the necer sity for
supplemestal agency or system directed to the
end 81 promoting general and more rapid trans
mission OF tho trib,s from the habits and GUS
toms 81 bashsrism to the ways Of civilization.
With an anxious desire TO devise some plan of
Indians and to. relieve the treasury
q en idle, dependent population,
the passage of law authorizing the appoint-
ment ct commission On inst rnmentality
auxiliary to those already established for
THE CARE or THE INDIANS,
and II was designed thst this committee or COM
mission should ba composed Of fix int ligent
and capable persona. three to be detailed from
tis army, having practical ideas upon the subject
OF the treatment Of the Indsans snd interested
in their welfare. and that it should be charged
terior with the management Of such matters Of
detail as cannot with the present organization be
properly and successfully conducted, ard which
present different phases Of disposition and cspa-
city for improvement or immediate scif-suDport.
BY the aid of such commission much nn-
wise and useless expenditure of money.
waste OF materials and unavailing ehorts
might be avoided and IL il hoped
that this or some measure which the wisdom Of
congress may better devise TO supply tho def
cheney OF the prcsent system may rsceive. yonr
provided. TIE time Is ripe for tho work Of such
an agency. There is less opposition to the edu-
catien and training OF the Indian youth, - shOWn
By the
INCREASED ATTENDANCE UP0x THE SCHOOLS,
and there u yieldir tsndency for the iodtvid-
uai holding Ut lapds. Development and sd
vanc.na rnt In thu - drecsipns are stesntial, ard
should have every announcements, A the rs
ira generation ara taught the language IT siyifi.
1stiun and trained Ia tho habisk q industry
they thpuld aHsnms tie duties. privileges
End rsspsnsi biiifiss.f 5eitizsnship Nd oh6lAoae
shuuls hinder the lneHtion and Setfleynent of ahy
Indian vii lng % u ~ land 10 eetSrelsy {lN1AeS
csntrass, the fsciinttiDn q III ~ sbosld NJ
IN sasss II " N sa .ali'si ' & ~ ~
~ - sS1u3ii2s ~ ri