The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1886-12-18
TIE ENEyE4ES.
Creating q Nav Commission Recommend
ed by the President.


The report of the Secretary Of the Interior pre-
seDts a comprehensive summary of the work oI
the various branches OF the public service con-
nected with his department, and the suggestions
and TcconLI5sI ietlGns which II contains for the
improvement Of the service should receive your
careful consideration. The es hibit made of the
condition of our Indian population and progress
CjWoTk for their enlightenment nOtWithstand
j the many embarrassments which hin
der better administers ion of this import
ant branch of the service, is a gratifying
AID hopeful one. The funds appropriated for the
ludisn service for the fiscal year Just passed,
with the available income from Indian land and
trust moneys, amounting in all 10 1850 555.I2
were ample Tor the service under the conditions
and restrictions oilaWs regulating their eXpend-
iture. There remained balance on hand June
So 1886 Of g 900 O23 so Of which 81 337. .76S. u
are permanent funds for the tudllment Of treaties
and other like purposes, and the remainder,
s322, 255u9 is subject 10 be carried 70
the surplus fuu1 as required by law.
The estimates presented for appropriations for
the ensuing fiscal wear amount to $50 ss7S.Gl, or
Si42 $50 % less than those laid before Congress
last year. The present system OF agencies, while
absolutely necessary and well adapted for the
management OF our Indian affairs. and for the
ends in view, when Il was adopted, ie in the
present state OF Indian management inadequate
standing alone for the accomplishment Of
an object which mas become pressing
in its importance, the more rapid transition
from tribal organizations 10 citizenship Of such
portions OF the Indians as are incapable of civil
lied life. When the existing system was adopted
the Indian race was outside Of the limits OF or
ganized states and territories and beyond the I'M
mediate Tesci and operation Of civilization, and
all efforts were mainly directed 10 the mainte-
nance OF friendly relations and the preservation
OF peace and quiet on the frontier. All this is
nov changed. There is 10 such thing &c the
Indian frontier. Civilization with the busy hum
of industry and the influence OF Christianity sur
rounds these people az every point None Of the
tribes are outside of the bounds Of organized gov
eTulnent and society, except that the territorial
system has not been extended over tnat portion
OF the country known SIS the indian Territory. As
a race the Indians are no longer hostile, but may
be considered az submissive 20 the control o. the
government. as few Of them only are trouble
some. ENCcpt the fragments OF several
bands all are now gathered upon res
ervations. II is no longer possible Tor
them to suhsist by the chase and the spontaneous
productions o. the earth. With an aDunCarC Ce of
land, if furnished with the means and imple-
ments for profitable husban1ry, their life OF en-
tire dependence upon government rations from
day to day is no longer deiensible. Ihelrlnclina-
ton, long fostered by a defective system OF con
troll is to cling to habits and customs OF their an
cestors, and struggle with persistence against the
changes of life which their altered circumstance
press upon them But barbaTism and civ
iiizatOu cannot live together II Is IN
possible that such ncongruouscOnciuons should
cO-exist on the same sOH. Ihey are portion Cf
our people, are under the authority OF our gov
eminent and have peculiar claim on and are
entitled to the fostering and protection Of the
nation. The government cannot relieve itself Of
this responsibility till they are 50 far trained ana
civilized as to be able wholly t0manage and care
for tbens Ives. The path in which they should
walk must be clearly marked out for them.
ara they must be led or glided till
they are familiar with the way and are COM
peteut TO assume the duties and responsibilities
CfoUr citizenship. Progress in this great WORK
will continue only at the present slow pace and
at great expense, unless the system ana methods
of management are improved 20 meet the chang
ed conditions and urgent demands cf the service
The agents having general charge ard super
vision IN many cases Of more than 500 Indians
scattered over large reserYatCus, and burdened
with the details Of accountability for funds and
supplies, have tire 10 look after the Industrial
training and Improvement Of few Indians only
| The many are neglected aud remain idle and II
dependent conditions not favorable for prQCres
stve civilization The comp mpensation allowed
these agents and conditions Of service are not cal
cuiated 70 secure for the WOTEmen who are fitted
10y ability and skill 70 properly pan and int Il
gently direct the ncth1ds be.t adapted 70 pro
/ duce the most speedy results and permanent ben
I efits. Hence the necessity for q Supplementary
agency or system directed 70 the end OF promot
/ ing the general ana more rapid transition 0
/ tribes from habits aud customs 0
/ bsroarism % tie ways oi civi!iza
/ t5ou. With an anxious desire TO de
wise some plan q operation WIZ
/ which TO secure the welfare II tbs Indians anc
! % relieve the treasury IS Tar Es possible ron
| the support OF an idle and dependent popula
/ ton, ! recommended in my previous auoua
/ message the passaqe o. p ia9 authorizing n
( appointment ~ q COMMISSION as an lAstfp
mentality auxiliary 70 those already estao
! lShed tor the care 81 the 1n.ffAe. ~ was Qs
/ sieued that this committee commission sEonst
b COMPOSED o. six 1ute,iiesut ana capable ciyi.
/ iaRH and three 70 BE- detailed from the arm
/ having practical ID as upon the suuleC
! OF the treatment OF Indians 8nd lrt-I
/ ested in heir welfare, and that
| 9aould be charged, under the direction Of IN
I Secretary OF the Interior with tna management
OF such matters OF detail s. cannot with the pres
I ent organization be properly and succ7ss.ulF
conducted, ard which present different phase
/ ~ the Indians themsciycs differ iutheir progres
: needs, disposition, and capacity for improve
( meut or immediate sGif-IPprrt. b the aid {
I such z commission U-uch uuWlse and useless e
uenditure OF money, and waste oi materials aii
UEaFalIL- eLefIs might fs 1Fu3tieH- 0Li'l A.
{ boped thai iuis or some measures Niiit
/ the wisdom OF Congress may better dsFlse
! supply the deficiency of The present system Y g
receive your consideration 6ud t1e sppropiIs
lzEi-lsfion oe p-1- 1el Ehs r.Ee = -tce fc- :
/ EoIs @: -ueh % sgeacs fArr= lzirss 0pp0-1E5e e
to the education and training OF The inGia