Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1886-12-16


The report Of the Secretary of the Interior
presents IL comprehensive summary of the
work OF the various branches of the publ c
the suggestion and recommendations which
IL contains for the improvement of the SER
wee should receive your careful considera-
ton.
The present system of agencies while sb
solutely necessary aud well adapted for the
management OF our Indian affairs and for
the ends in V ew when II was adopted, is. in
the present stage of Indian management, IN
adequate, standing alone for the accomplish
ment of ali object which has become press
ing in its importance the more rapid transi-
zion from tribal organizations to citizenship
of such port ons of the Indians as are capa-
BILE of civilized life When tho existing sys-
tenn was adopted the Indian race was outside
OF the limts'of organized States and Terri
torres ana bel ono the lInineu are reach and
operation of civilization. and all eTorts
were mainly directed to the ma nten-
ance of friendly relations and The preserya-
ton OF peace and quiet on the frontier. All
this is now changed. There is no such tn ng
as the INDIAN frontier. Civilizat on, with the
busy mum or Industry anu the influence of
Christianity surrounds these people at every
point None of the tribes ARE outside OF the
bounds OF Organized governments and soci-
ety. except that the Territorial system as
not been extended over that portion of the
country known as the Indian Terr. tory. As
a race the Ind ans are no longer hostile, but
may be considered as subm sSiVc 10 the cof1
troll of the Government. as few of them only
are trou bleSome. Except the fragments of
several bands all are now gathered up
reservations IL is no longer poss 'ble for
taneous product ons of the earth. With an
abundance of land. if furnished with the
means and implements for profitable hus-
bandry. the r life of entire dependence upon
Government relations from day day is no
longer defensible. Their inclination, long
fostered by defective system of control. is
to cling to the habits and customs of their
ancestors. ana stI9ggle with persist
their altered circumstances press upon them.
But barbar.sm and ciyi'iLation can not
live together. 1t is ampossii1-e That such in
cOngruous conditions should cOexist the
same soil. They are portion OF our people.
are under the authority of our Government
and have n peculiar claim upon and are en-
titled TO the foster ng care and protection OF
the Nation.
The Government car not relieve itself of
this responsibility until they far
manage and care for themselves. The paths
in WHICH they should walk must be clearly
marked out for them and they must be led
guided until they are familiar with the
way ans competent tosassume the duties and
responsibilities of our citizenship. Progress
present slow pace. and at great expense un-
less the system and methods OF management
are improved 20 meet the changed condIt ons
and urgent demands on the service.
PUBLIC LAND.
The President then discussed the public
land question 20 ming ont the recommenda-
Sparks and advising the repeal of the Pre-
emption and Timber Culture acts. ISs<isia-
ton was wanted TO finally wipe out the evil
of Illegal fencing.
TIE report of the Commiss oner OF Pensions
contains detailed and most satisfactory
exhibit of the operations or the pension
bureau during the last nscai ear. The
amount OF work done waSthe largest in any
year since The organ Zaton OF the bureau.
and IL has been ar less cost than du0ng the
previous year. in every division. On the Both
day of June. 1856. there were &c., 10 pens on
the rolls OF the bureauO nee 1861
theTs have been LOIS, 80 applications for pen
ons HE'D of which q. ss4 were based upon
service q the war @ lSl2- Taere were 4, 754
of The applications ailoweG including SGOI7S
to The soldiers OF Iei2 and their W .dows. The
total amount paid for pensions since 1861 is
SSJs. 6si.SIl So The number OF new pensions
allowed during the ended June ~. 1856.
is $40 s57. a larger number than has been al
lowed in any year save one nee 1851 The
names of 2.229 pensioners which had been
previously dropped from the rolls we're
stored during the year, and after deducting
those dropped within the same time for