Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1886-12-16
THE INFERIOR.

A GOOD SHOWING.
The 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-
lions and recommendations which it centains
for the improvement of the service shonld re-
ceiye your careful consideration. The ,xhibit
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 adminfstra, ion
OF TINS importsnt branch of the seryice, is
gratifying and hopeful one, The funds appro-
priaied for the Indian service for the fiscal yea
just passed, with the available income II ON In
1lan land ana trust moneys, amounting 10 all to
1880. 775. IL, were anple.for the service, under
the conditions and restrictions OF laws regu-
lating their expenditure. There remained ball
ance on hand on June 80, 1885, OF $1,000
o23.3o of which 81, 337, 1921 are permanent
funds for the fulfillmenJ OF treaties ana other
like purposes, and the remainder, 1892 255. 90,
Is subieca to be carried to The surplus ihund as
required by law The estimates presented for
appropriations for the ensuing fiscal year
amount 10 s., COS. S73 ca, or S442. :ss6 20 less
than those laid before the congress last year.
The present system of agencies whit ALSO
iutely necessary and wcll adrptei for
the management of our Indiaa af-
airs. and for the ends in view when
1t WAS adopted, is in the present state of Ipdian
management. inadequate. standing alone for the
accomplishments OF an object which has become
pressing in It's importance-the more rapid
transition from tribal organizations to citizen
ship OF such portions of the Indians "a are
capable OF civilized life. When the existing sys-
TEN was adopted the H,dian race was outside OF
the limits OF organized states and territories and
beyond the immediate reach and operation OF
civilization, and all efforts mainly directed
to the maintenance Of friendly relations and tho
preservation OF peace and quiet pa the frontier.
All this is now changed There is no sutih 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. Asa race the Indians are
NO LONGER HOSTILE.
but may be considered as submissive to The con-
troll OF the government, as few OF them only are
troublesome. Except the fragments Of several
baGds all are now gathered upon reservations.
II is no longer possible to force them q snbsist
by the chase and the spontaneous production az
the earth. With an abundance OF Land, IL fur
nished with the means and implements for
profitable husbandry, their life Of entire depend
ence upon government rattons from day TO day
is no longer defensfble. Their inclination. long
fostered by defective system of control, is to
cling to the habits ard customs of theii' ances-
tors and struggle with persistence against the
change of life which their altered circumstances
press upon them But barbarism and civilizs-
tion cannot live together it IL impossible that
such incongruors conditions should ctexist on
the same sell. They are portion of our people,
are under the authority OF our governments, and
have peculiar claim and are entitled to the
fostering care and protection Of the nation. The
government cannot relieve itself of this resposi-
bility until they so far trained and civilized
as to tie able wholly to manage and care for
themselves. The paths In which they should
walk must be clearly marked out for them, aud
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 viii
continue only az the present slow pate 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 tiian o,ooo
Indians scattered over large reservations, and
burdened with the details OF accountability for
funds and supplies have time TO look after the
industrial training and Improvement OF lew
Indians only The many are neglected., and re-
main idle and despondcnt-cordftions not favor
able for the progress of civilization The COM
pensation allowed these agents and the condi-
lions Of the service are not calculated to secure
for the work men who are fitted by ability and
skill to properly plan and inteigently direct the
methods best adopted TO produce the most
speedy results and permanent benefits Hence
the necessity for n supplemental agency or sys-
TEN directed to the end of promoting the general
and more rapid transition OF tribes from the
habits and customs of barbarism to tile ways of
civilization. With an anxious desire 10 devise
some plan OF operation by which TO secure the
welfare OF the Indians and to relieve Inc treas
ury as far as possible from the support of an
idle. dependent population, recommended in
my previous annual message the passage OF
law authorizing the
as an fnstrumentality auxiliary to those already
established for the care OF the Indiana IL was
designed that this commission snouid pc com
posed Of six intelligent and capable persons,
three to be detailed from the army, having prac-
teal ideas upon the subject OF the treatment OF
Indians and intorested In their welfare, ana that
n should be charged. under the direction of the
secretary of the interior, with the MANAGEMENT
OF such matters OF detail as cannot with the
present organization be properly and success
fully conducted, ana which present different
phases as the Indians themselves diner IN their
progress. needs, disposition and capacity Tor
improvement or immediate seii-support. by
the aid of ouch commission much unwise and
useless expenditure OF money. waste OF materl-
ais and unayailing efforts might be avoided. and
it is hoped that this, or some measure Mnice
supply the deficiency OF the present system, may
receive your consideration and the appropriate
legislation be provided The time Is npe Tor
the work of such agency. There Is less oppo-
sition TO the education and training OF the
Indian yonth as shown by the Increased attend
snce upon the schools, and there Is sieiains
DEVELOPMENT and advancement IN these direc-
tions are essential, and should have every en-
oouragement As the rising gensra.len ar, are
In habits of industry, they should as
sumo the duties privileges and responsibilities
OF citizenship, aud no obstacles should nino ms,
the location and settlement OF any Indian VIII
ing to take land in severalty, On the contrary.
the inclination to do so should be stimulated al
all times when proper aid expedient; But there
h no authority OF law for making aliotuents on
some OF the reservations and on others the alh't-
ments provided for are SO small that the indians,
though ready and desiring to settle down. are not
willing TO accept such small areas, syhen tnelr
reservations contain ample lands TO anord them
homesteads OF sufficient size to meet their pres
emit and future needs. These inequalities OF ex-
listing special laws and treaties should De cor
reeted and some general legislation on the sub
iect should be provided so that the more pro-
gressiye 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 ant rule Of the state, The
Indjan character and nature are su,;h that they
are not easily led while brooding ever unad-
iusted wrongs This is especially 80 regarding
their lands. Matters arising from the con-
strucrion and operation OF railroads across some
N the reservations and claims OF title and right
OF occupancy set up by white persons to some OF
tbe hest Land within other reservations require
legislation for their Anal Adjustment The set
tlernent Of these fnatters will remote many en-