The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1886-12-10
suit in securing the domesticatior Of these i'm
portant interests.


The AFFAIRS of the postal service show marked
ana gratifying improvement during the past
year. A particular account Of its transactions
and condition is given In the report of the Post
master-General. The reduction Of the rate of
letter postage in 1888, rendering the postal reve-
nueS inadequate to sustain the expenditures, and
business depression also contributing, resulted
IN an excess OF cost for the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1885, of eight ana one-third millions of
dollars. An additional check upon receipts by
doubling the measure OF weight in rating sealed
correspondence, and diminishing 0ne-naH the
charge for newspaper carriage was imposed by
legislation. which took effect with the begin
ming of the past fiscal year; while the con-
slant demand OF our territorial development
and growing population for the extension and
increase of mail facilities and machinery neces-
state steady annual advance in outlay. The
careful estimate of a year ago upon the rates
OF expenditure then existing, contemplated the
unavoidable augmentation of the deficiency
in the last fiscal year by nearly two mill
ions of dollars. The anticipated revenue for
the last year failed of realization by about S64-
600, but proper measures of economy have 50
satisfactorily limited the growth of expendi-
lures that the total deficiency, in fact, fell be-
low that of 1885, and at this time the increase
of revenue is in a gaining ratio over the III
crease of cost, demonstrating the sufficiency of
the present rates OF postage ultimately to sus-
tain the services. This is the more pleasing be-
cause our people enjoy now both cheaper post
age, proportlonateiy to distances. and vaster
and more costly service than any other upon
the globe.
The differences which arose during the year
with certain of the ocean steamship companies
have terminated in the acquiescepce of all in
the policy of the Government approved by the
Congress in the postal appropriation at its last
session, and the department now enjoys the ut
most service afforded by all vessels which sail
from our ports on either ocean-SerVice gener-
ally adequate to the needs of our intercourse.
The extension of the free delivery service
as suggested by the PostmasterGeneral,h has
heretofore received my sanction, and it is to be
hoped suitable enactment may soon be agreed
upon
The request for an appropriation sufficient to
enable the general inspection of fourth class Of
fees mas my appreciation.
renew my approval of the recommendation
OF the POSTMASTER General that another assist
ant be provided for the Postofice Department,
and 1 invite your attention to the several other
recommendations in his report
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
The conduct of the Department of Justice for
the last fiscal year is fully detailed in the report
OF the Attorney-General, and invite the ear
nest attention OF Congress to the same and due
consideration OF the recommendations therein
contained. In the report submitted by this
officer to the last session of Congress- he
strongly recommended the erection of a peni-
Tertiary for the confinement Of prisoners con-
yicted and sentenced in the United States
courts, and he repeats the recommendation in
his report for the last year. This is matter of
very great Importance and should at once re-
ceive Congressional action.
Many of our good citizens have interested
themselves with the most beneficial results on
the question of prison reform. The general
Government should be in situation, since
there must be United States prisoners, to fur
nish important aid in this movement and
should be able to illustrate what may be practi-
cally done in the direction of this reform,
and to present an example in the treat
ment and improvement of its Cpris-
oners worthy OF imitation. With pris-
ons under its own control, the Govern
ment could deal with the somewhat vexed Ques-
ton of convict labor, far as its convicts were
concerned, according to plan of its own adoI-
ton and with due regard to the rights and in
terests of our laborng citizens, instead of some
times aiding in the operation of q system which
causes among them irritation and discomfort.
Upon consideration of this subject it might be
thought wise to erect more than one of these
institutions, located in such places as would
best subserVe the purposes Of convenience and
economy in transportation.
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
The report of the Secretary of the Interior
presents q comprehensive summary of the
work of the various branches of the public serv-
ice connected with his department, and the sug-
gestions and recommendation which it contains
for the improvement of the service should re-
ceiVe your careful consideration. The exhibit
made of the condition of our Indian population
and the progress of the work for their enlight-
ment, Notwithstanding the many emDarrass-
ments which hinder the better administration
of this important branch of the service, is q
gratifying and hopeful one.
The present system of agencies while abso-
lutely necessary and well adapted for the man
agement of Indian affairs and for the ends in
view when it was adopted, is, in the present
stage OF Indian management inadequate,
standing alone for the accomplishment of an
object which has become pressing in its i'm
portance the more rapid transition from tri-
bal 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
NJ nj izdH md ito
ries, and beyond the immediate reach and OPP
Grafton Of civilization, and all efforts were main
ly directed to the maintenance of friendly rela-
tons and the preservation of peace and quiet on
the frontier. Civilization, with the busy hum of
industry and the influence Of Christianity, sur
rounds these people on every point. None of
the tribe are outside Of the bounds of organ
lied 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
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. 1t is no longer
possible for them to subsist by the chase and
the spontaneous production of the earth. With
an abundance of land, if furnished with the
means and implements for profitable husband
ry, their life of entire dependence upon Gov
ernment rations from day to day is no long
er defensible. Their inclination, long fost-
cred by defective system of control, is to
cling to the habits and customs of their
ancestors, and they struggle with per
sistence against the change of life which
their altered circumstances press upon them.
But barbarism and civilization can not live to-
gether. 1t is impossible that such homogeneous
conditions should co-eXist on the same soil
They are portion Of ourpeople, areunder the
authority Of our Government, and have d pecu-
liar claim upon, and are entitled to, the foster
ing care and protection Of the Nation.
The Government can not relieve itself of
this responsibility until they are so far
trained and civilized as to be able wholly to
manage and care for themselves. The path in
which they should walk must be clearly marked
out for them and they must be led or guided
until they are familiar with the way and com
petent to assume the duties of our citizenship.
Progress in this great work will continue only
at the present slow pace and at great expense,
unless the system and methods of management
are improved to meet the changed conditions
and urgent demands of the service.
With an anxious desire to devise some plan Of
operation by which to secure the welfare of the
Indians and to relieve the Treasury as far as
possible from the support of an idle and de-
pendent population, 1 recommended, in my
previous annual message, the passage of a law
authorizing the appointment OF commits
sion as an fundamentally, auxiliary to
those already established for the care
OF the Indians. 1t was designed
posed of six intelligent and capable persons,
three to be detailed from the army having
practical ideas upon the subject of the treat
I1e0L Oh luQldnS anu interested bQelf welfare,
and that it should be charged, under the drec-
ton OF the Secretary Of the Interior with the
management of such matters of detail as
can not, with the present organiZa-
ton, be properly and successfully conducted,
and which present different phases, as
the Indians themselves differ in their progress
needs disposition and capacity for improve
ment or immediate self support BY the aid
Of such commission, much unwise ana useless
expenditure of money, waste of materials and
unavaiiing efforts might be avoided; and it is
hoped that this or some measure which the
wisdom Of Congress may better devise, to sup
ply the deficiency of the present system, may
receive your consideration. and the apprO-
pirate legislation be provided. The time is
ripe for the work of such an agency.
There is less opposition to the education and
training of the Indian youth. as shown by the
increased attendance upon the schools, and
there is a yielding tendency for the individual
holding of lands. Development and advance
ment in these directions are essential and
should have every encouragement. AS the ris-
ing generation are taught the language of ciVili-
cation and trained in habits of industry, they
should assume the duties, privileges and re-
sponsibilities of citizenship.
No obstacle should hinder the location and
settlement Of any Indian willing to take land in
seVeralty. On the contrary, the inclination to do
SO should be stimulated at all times when
proper and expedient, but there is no author
ity of law for making allotments on
some of the reservations, and on others
the allotments provided for are so small
that the Indians, though ready and desir-
TT1or m dOTtTrz not m