The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1886-12-10

Petitions have, however been presented to
tne department. by numerous merchants and
service to tho Argentine kepabiio, and for sena-
monthly dispatches to the empire Of Brazil,
and the subject Is commended to your con-
provide tho means OF postal communication
which our commerce requires, and with pru-
dent forecast OF results, the wise extension OF it
may lead TO stimulating intercourse and be-
come the harbingcr OF a profitable traffic, which
viii open new avenues for the disposition OF the
products OF our industry. The circumstances OF
the countries at the far south of our continent
are such as to invite our enterprise and afford
the promise OF sufficient advantages to justify
an unusual effort TO bring about the closer rela-
would tend to establish.
suggest that, as distinguished from a grant
or subsidy for the mere benefit OF any line OF
trade or travel whatever outlay may DO re-
quired TO secure the additional postal service
necessary and proper and not otherwise attain
able, should be regarded as within the limit Of
Legitimate compensation for such ervice
RECOMMENDATIONS.
The extension Of the froe delivery service as
suggested by the Postmaster General has here
tofore received my sanction, and it is TO be
hoped a suitable enactment may soon be agreed
upon.
The request for an appropriation sufficient to
enable the general inspection OF fourth class Of
hces has my appreciation.
renew my approval of the recommendation
OF the Postmaster General that another assist
ant 10 provided for the Postoffce Department.
and invite your attention to the several other
recommendations in his report.
FEDERAL PENIrENTIARY
The conduct of the Department OF Justice for
the last fiscal year is duly detailed in the report
OF the Attorney General and / invite the
earnest attention of Congress to the same,
and due consideration OF the recomme ndutions
therein contained. In the report submitted by
this officer to the last session OF Congress,
ne strongly recommended the erection of a
penitentiary for the confinement of prisoners
convicted and sentenced in the United States
courts. and he repeats the recommendation in
his report for the last year. This is q matter OF
very great Importance and should at once re-
cetve Congressional action. United States pris-
oners are now confined in more than thirty diff
ferent State prisons and penitentaries situated
In every part of tho country. They are sub
1ected to nearly as many different modes of
treatment and discipline, and are far too much
removed from tho control and regulation of the
Government. So far as they are entitled to
humane treatment and opportunity for improve
ment and reformation, the Government is re-
sponsible to them and society that these things
are forthcoming. But this duty can scarcely be
discharged without more absolute control and
discretion than is possible under the present
system.
PRISON REFORM
. Many OF our good citizens have Interested
themselves, with tho most beneficial results, on
the question OF prison reform. The General
Government should be in q situat on since
there must be United States prisoners. to fur
nish important aid in this movement, and
should be able to illustrate what may DO prac-
ideally done in the direction of this reform and
TO present on example in the treatment and
improvement OF its prisoners worthy of imita-
ton. With prisons under it's own control, the
Government could deal with the somewhat
vexed stion of convict labor so far as its con-
victs were concerned, according to plan Of it's
own adoption and with due regard to the rights
and interests of our laboring citizens, instead
OF sometimes aiding in the operation OF q sys-
tenn which causes among them irritation and
discomfort Upon consideration of this subject
1t might DO thought wise to erect more than one
OF these institutions, located in such places as
would best subserve the purposes OF conven-
I'm tRO Nf..fat
siderable cost OF maintaining these convicts, as
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 as were needed for use by tho Govern
ment, quito large pecuniary benefit would be
realized in partial return for our outlay.
THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM.
again urge change in the Federal judicial
system TO meet the wants Of the people and OBJ
viate the delays necessarily attending tho pres
ent condition OF affairs in our courts. Ali are
agreed that something should be done, and
much favor Is shown by those well able to adj
wise, to the plan suggested by tho Attorney Gen.
eral at the last session Of Congress, and recon-
mended In my last annual message This rec
concentration Is here renewed, together with an
other made at the same time, touching q
change in the manner OF compensating district
attorneys and marshals, and the latter subject
10 commended to Congress for it's action in
the interest OF economy to the Government, and
humanity, fairness and justice to our people,
THE INDIAN BUREAU.
The report OF the Secretary OF the Interior
presents acomprehensive summary OF the work
OF the various branches OF the public service
connected with his department., and the sugges-
lions and recommendations which it contains
for the improvement OF the service should re-
ceive your careful consideration. Tho exhibit
made Of the condition Of our Indian population
and tho progress of the work for their en-
iightenment. notwithstanding the many
ter administration OF this important
branch OF the service is a gratifying and hopeful
one. The funds appropriated for tho Indian
lnGt 0u.a.l y.
available income from Indian land and trust
moneys, amounting in all to S7,S50,775.1 IL, were
ample for the service under the conditions and
restrictions Of laws regulating their ex-
penditure. There remained balance
en- hand on June 30, 1885. OF S1.66O, O23.3O,
OF which 1881. 1921 arc permanent funds,
for fulhllment OF treaties and other like pur-
poses, and the remainder. S329, $500, ia subject
to be carried to tho surpl"s fund as required by
law. Tho estimates presented for appropri-
atoms for tho ensuing fiscal year amount to
IS 90S 6736i S442 20 less then those laid be-
fore Congress last year. Tho present system Of
agencies. while absolutely necessary and woll
adapted for The management OF Indian af-
fairs and for tho ends in view when
1t was adopted, is, in the present stage Of Indi-
for the accomplishment of ON object which has
become pressing in importance-the more rapid
transition from tribal organizations to citizen
ship Of such portions OF the Indians as are ca
tenn was adopted tho Indian race was outside
OF the limits of organized States and Territories
anu DeNOuu tDc 1uDleulH'e renCQ anu operation
Of civilization, and all efforts were mainly di-
rected to the maintenance OF friendly re-
lations and the preservation of peace
and quiet on the frontier. All thic
is now changed. There is no such thing as the
Indian frontier. Civilization. with the busy
hum of industry and the influence OF Chris
tianty, surrounds these neople Mt every point
None Of the tribes are lido OF the bounds Of
organized government and society, except that
the Territorial system has not been extended
over that portion of the country known as the
Indian Territory. AS race the Indians are no
longer hostile, but may be considered as sub
missive to the control OF the Government as
few OF them only arc troublesome. Except
the fragments of several bands, oil are now
gathered upon reservations. IL is no longer pos
sible for them to subsst by tho chase and the
spontaneous productions OF the earth. With an
abundance OF land, II furnished with the means
and implements for profitable husbandry their
life OF entire dependence upon Government ra-
tons from day to day is no longer defensiblo.
Their inclination, long fostered by q defective
system of control, is to cling to the habits and
customs OF their ancestors and they struggle
with persistence against the change of life
which their altered circumstances press upon
them. But barbarsm and civilization can not
live together. 1t is impossible that such In
congruous conditions should co-exist on the same
soil They are portion of our people, are
under tho authority of our Government, and
have peculiar claim upon, and are entitled
TO, the fostering caro- and protection of the