Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1886-12-10

dams, scattered over large reservations, and
burdened with details Of accountability for
funds and supplies, have time TO look after
the Industrial training and improvement Of
few Indians only; the msny are neglected
and remain Idle and dependent
In civilization. The compensation allowed
these AGENTS and the conditions of the service
a1e not calculated to secure for the work men
who are fitted by ability and skil to properly
plan and intelligently direct the methods best
adapted to produce the most speedy results
and permanent benefte. Hence the necessity
for . supplementary agency or system, directed
10 the end Of promoting the general and more
rapid transition of tribes from habits and
customs Of barbarians to the ways Of civillza-
ton, with an anxious desire TO de-
wise some plan Of operation by which to
secure
TIE WELFARE OF 7HE INDIANS,
and to relieve the treasury as far as possible
from the support Of An idle, dependent pspu]a-
ton. recommended ia my previous snnual
message the passage of q law authorizing the
appointment Of . commission as an instru.
mentality auxiliary to thoee already established
for the care Of the Indians. 1t was designed
that THE commieeien should be composed Of
Fix intelligent and capable persons, three to be
detailed from the army. having practical ideas
upon the subject Of the treatment Of Indians,
and interested In their and that It should
be charged, under the direction Of the secfe-
! tary Of the interior, with the management Of
such matters Of detail as cannot, with the
present organization be properly and success.
fully conducted, and which present different
phseee, as the Indians themselves differ in
their progress, needs disposition and capacity
for Improvement or immediate se]f-support.
BY the aio Of such commission
much unwise and useless expenditure Of
money, waste of materials, and uBavailipg
efforts might be avoided, and 1t is hoped that
this, o. some measure which the wisdom Of
congress may better devise, to supply the de-
hciency Of the present system may receive
! your considerable and the appropriate leE1e-
la,ion be provided. The time Is ripe for the
work Of such m agency. There is less oppo-
sition to the education and training Of the
| INDIAN YOUTH
as shown by the increased attendance upon
the schools, and there is yielding tcnden-
| cy for the individual holding Of lands. De-
velopment and advancement in these direc-
| lions are essential, and should have every
| encouragement. As the rising generations
are taught the language Of civilization and
trained in habits of industry, they should
assume the duties, privileges aed RESPONSE.
biiiries of citizenship No obstacle should
hinder the location and settlement Of any
Indian willing to take land in several
! ty, On the contrary, the inclination
to do 30 should be estimated at all times by
proper expedients But there is no authority
of law for making allotments on come Of the
reservations, and on others the allotments
provided for axe 90 sm all that the Indians.
though ready and desiring to settle down, are
no, willing TO accept such small areas. when
their reservations contain ample lands to afford
| them homeeteads Of sufficient size to meet
| their
PRESENT AND FUTURE NEEDS.
These inequalities of existing special laws
and treaties should be corrected, and some
general legislation on the subject should be
provided, so that the more progressive mem
bers of the different tribes may be settled
upon homesteads, and by their example teach
| others to follow, breaking away from tribal
customs and substituting therefor love OF
home, interest Of the family, and the rule OF
the state. The Indian character and nature
are such that they are not easily led while
brooding over unadjusted wrongs
This is especially 80 regarding
their lands. Matters arising from the
construction and operation of railroads across
come of the reservations, and claims of title
and right Of occupancy set up BY white per
sons to some Of thu best land within other res.
ervations require legislation for their final ad
iustment. The settlement OF these matters
will remove many endorsements to progress
in the work Of leading the Indians to the adop
ton of our institutions, and bringing then
under the operation, the influence, and The
pr election Of the universal laws OF our coun
!