New Ulm weekly review., 1886-12-15

THE INTERIOR.

THE INTERIOR.
4 GOOD SHOWING.
Itfe report OF the secretary Of the interior pre-
sents comprehensive summary Of the work Of
the various branches of the public service con-
nected with his department, and the sugges-
tions and Recommendations which it contains
for the improvement of the service should re-
celve your careful consideration The exhibit
made Of the condition Of our Indian population
and the progress Of the work for their enlighten-
ment, Notwithstanding the many embarrass-
ments which hinder the better administration
gratifying and hopeful one. The funds appro-
prlated for the Indian service for the fiscal year
just passed, with the available income from In
dian land and trust moneys. amounting in all to
1880, TO. IL, were ample.fOr tho service under
The conditions and restrictions of laws regu-
lating their expenditure. There remained a bal
ance on hand on June 3d. 1886, of $1.66o.-
O23. 80, Of which 81, 1897, 768.2l are permanent
funds for the fulfIment Of treaties and other
like purposes, and the remainder, 1892. 255 90
IS subject to be carried to the surplus fund as
required by law The estimates presented for
appropriations for the ensuing fiscal year
amount to So, COS, ,873.64, or $442, 1856. 20 less
than those laid before the congress last year.
~ The present system Of agencies. while abso-
airs. and for the ends in view when
1t was adopted, is in the present state of Indian
management, inadequate, standing alone for the
accomplishment of an object which has become
pressing in its importance-the more rapid
transition from tribal organizations to citizen
capable of civilized life. When the existing sys-
tenn was adopted the Indian was outside of
the limits OF organized states and territories and
beyond the immediate reach and operation of
civilization, and all efforts were mainly objected
to the maintenance of friendly relations and the
preservation of peace and quiet on the frontier
All this is now changed. There is no such thing
as the Indian frontier. Civilization. with the
busy hum Of industry and the influence Of
Christianity. surrounds these people at every
point. None Of the tribes are outside 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 a race the Indians are
NO LONGER HOSTILE
but may ba considered as submissive to the con-
troll of the government, as few of them only are
trou ublesome. Except the fragments of several
bands all are now gathered upon reservations.
It is no longer possible to force them to subsist
by the chase and the spontaneous production Of
the earth. With an abundance OF land, il fur
nlshed with the means and implements for
ence upon government rattons from day to day
is no longer defensible Their inclination, long
fostered by defective system of control. Is to
cling to the habits and customs Of their ances-
tors and struggle with persistence against the
change Of life which their altered circumstances
press upon them. But barbarism and civiliza-
tion cannot live together. It ia impossible that
such incongruous conditions should coexist on
the same soil. They are portion of our people,
are under the authority Of our government, and
have peculiar claim and are entitled to the
fostering care and protection of the nation The
government cannot relieve itself of this resposi-
bilty until they are so far trained and civilized
as to tie able wholly to manage and care for
themselves; en- - me paths In which they should
they must be- led or guided until they
are familiar with the way and competent
to assume the duties and responsibilities of our
citizenship. Progress in this great work will
continue OnlV the present slow and at
great expense, unless the system and methods
of management are improved TO meet the
changed conditions and urgent demands of the
service. The agents having general charge and
supervision in many cases Of more than 5000
Indians scattered over large reservations and
burdened with the details Of accountability for
Industrial training and improvement OF few
Indians only. The many are negle cted, and re-
main idle and Observation-Disclosures not favor
able for the progress of civilization. The COM
pensation allowed these agents and the condi-
t1ons of tho service are not calculated to secure
for the work men who are fitted by ability and
skill to properly plan and ntelligenty direct the
methods best adopted to produce the most
speedy results and permanent benefits. Hence
the necessity for a supplemental agency or sys-
TEN directed to the end of promoting the general
habits and customs of barbarism to the ways of
civilization. With an anxious desire to devise
some plan OF operation by which to secure the
welfare of the Indians and to relieve the treas
ury as far as possible from the support of an
idle. dependent population, recommended in
my previous annual message the passage of a
law authorizing the
APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSION
as an tnstrumentality auxiliary to those already
established for the care OF the Indians. 1t was
Designed that this commission should be COM
posed or Six Intelligent and capable persons
three to be detailed from the army, having prac-
tical ideas upon the subject of the treatment of
Indians and interested in their welfare and that
it should be charged. under the direction of the
ha inf tor1Nr with fho
OF such matters Of detail as cannot with the
present organization be properly and success
fully conducted. and which present different
phases. az the Indians themselves differ in their
progress, needs, disposition and capacity for
Improvement or immediate self-support BY
the aid OF such commission much unwise and
ais and unayailing efforts might be avoided. and
1t Is hoped that this, or some measure which
the wisdom OF congress may better devise to
supply the deficiency Of the present system. may
receive your consideration and the appropriate
legislation be provided. The time is ripe for
the work Of such an agency. There is less oppo-
s1tlon to the education and training of the
Indian yOnth as shown by the increased attend
ance upon the schools. and there is a Welding
tendency for the individual holding of lands
Development and advancement in these direc-
items are essential. and should have every en-
courageIaent. AS the rising generation are
taught the language Of civalization and trained
in habits OF industry, they should as
sumo m the duties, privileges and responsibilities
"a
the location and settlement OF any Indian will
Ing TO take land in severalJy. On the contrary,
the inclination to do 50 should be stimulated at
all times when proper and expedient. But there
is no authority OF law for making allotments on
some OF the reservations and on others the allot-
ments provided for are so small that the Indians
though ready and desiring to settle down, are not
willing to accept such small areas when their
reservations contain ample lands to afford them
homesteads OF sufficient size to meet their pres
ent and future needs. These inequalities of ex-
lstlng special laws and treaties should be cor
rected and some general legislation on the sub
1ect should be provided so that the more pro-
gresslve members OF the different tribes may be
settled upon homesteads, and by their example
learn others to follow, breaking away from tribal
customs and substituting therefor love of home
interest OF the family and rule of the state. The
Indian character and nature are such that they
are not easily led while brooding over unad-
lpsted wrongs. This is especially SO regarding
their lands. MatJers arising from the con-
struction and operation of railroads across some
OF the reservations and claims of title and right
OF occupancy set up by white persons to some of
the best land within other reservations, require
legislation for their final adjustment. The set
tlement OF these matters will remove MANY en-
barrassments to progress in the work of leading
tn, Indians to the adoption Of our institutions
and bringing them under the operation, the in
huence and the protection of the universal laws
OF our country.
THE PUBLIC LANDS