Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-12-09
The Interior Department.

The report of the Secretary of the Interior pre-
sents q comprehensive summary OF the work OF
The various branches OF the public service con-
uected with his departm ent. and the suggestions
and recommendations which it contains for the
Improvement of the service should receive your
careful nsideration. The exhibit maze of the
condition OF cur Indian population and the
progress of the work for their enIight-
snment, notwithstanding the many EN-
ter administration OF this important
branch OF the service, is gratifying and hopeful
one. The funds appropriated for the Indian
service for the fiscal year Just passed. with the
available Income from Indian land and trust
moneys, amounting in all TO $780, TSP. were
ample for the service under the conditions and
restrictions of laws regulating their expendi-
h ,ure There remained ;, balane. on
hcn on 5 az 1se % iSso' o. A,S6o9z'e o.
for fulfllment of treaties ana other like pu1-
poses and the remainder, 1922, $500, is subject
to be carried TO the surplus fund as required by
law Inc estimates presented for appropriations
Tor me ensuing hScal year amount 10 S. COS s7364,
or s42 Ss6 20 less than those LAID before the Con-
eress last year. The present system Of AGENCIES
while absolutely necessary and well adapted
f foT,. the , management OF Indian al,
it was adopted is. IN The preset stage Of indian
management, inadequate, standing alone Tor
the accomplishment of an object which has be-
coming pressing IN Its importat ee, the more
rapid transition from tribal organizations to ct-
izenshlp OF such portions OF the Indians as are
capable of civilized life. When the existing
system was adopted the Indian race was outside
OF the limits Of organized States and Territories,
and beyond the immediate reach and operation
OF civilization. and all efforts were mainlv d.
rected to the maintenance Of FREUD
ly relations and the preservation of peace
and quiet on the frontier. All this
is now changed There Is no such thing az the
Indian frontier. Civilization. with the busy hum
OF Industry ana the influence of Christianity,
SURROUNDS these people at every point None OF
the tribes 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 "a submissive to
the control of the Government as few
OF them only are troublesome. Except
the fragments OF several bands, ali ara now
gathered upon reset vations II is no longer pos
sible for them 10 subsist by the Oh sse and the
spontaneous productions of the earth. With an
abundance Of land, If furnished with the means
and implements for profitable husbandry, their
lie OF entire dependence upon Government ra-
Tons from day to day Is no longer defeDsible.
Their inclination, long fostered by detective
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 barbararism and civilization can
not live together. 1t is impossible
that such incongruous conditions should CO.
exist on the same soil They are . portion of
our people. are under the authority Of our Gov
eminent and have peculiar claim upon, and
are entitled to the fostering care and protection
OF the nasion. The Government can not relieve
trained and civilized as 10 be able wholly to
manage and care for themselves. The path Ia
which they should walk must be clearly
marked out for them, and they must
FAMILIAR With tS eds way a and eoD DsE are &c
assgRet be duties and rysppnsl qjllIies Of our
eltzsls6fp. Prtgrees IN fhfs great work viii