Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-12-11

and should be able to illustrate what may be
practically done in the direction Of this re-
form and to present an example In the
treatment and improvement of its prisoners
worthy of imitation. With the pris, Ms
under ito own control the government
could deal with the somewhat ysxed ques-
ton of convict labor, % far a. its convict
were concerned, according to plan of Its
own adoption, and with due regard to the
rights and interests of our laboring citizens,
instead of sometimes aiding in the SEPARATION
of q system which causes among them irri-
tation and discomfort Upon confederation
Uf this subject it might be thought wise to
erect more than one OF these institutions,
located in such places a. would best sub
serve the purposes of convenience and
economy in transportation. The CON-
siderable cost of maintaining these convicts
as at present in state institutions, would be
saved by the adoption of the plan proposed,
and by employing them in the manufacture
OF such articles a. were needed for use by
the government, quite q large pecuniary
benefit would be realized in partial return
for our outlay.
QUIZ JUDICIAL SYSTEM.
Iagain urge a change in the federal judi
cial system to meet the wants Of the people
and obviate the delays necessarily attending
the present condition Of a6airs in our
courts. All arc agreed that something should
be done, and much favor is shownlby those
well able to advise, to the plan suggested by
the attorney general ct tho last session of
congress, and recommended m my last an
nual message. This recommendation Is here
renewed, together with another made at the
same time touching change in the manner
of compromising district attorneys and mar.
shals, and the latter subject is commended
to congress for its action in the interest OF
economy to the govsrnment and humanity
and fairness and justice to our people.
THE REPORT OF TIE sEoRErAHY OF THE IN
TERROR
presents a comprehensive summary Of the
work of the various branches of the public
service connected with bis department, and
the suggestions and recommendations which
it contains for the improvement Of tho SER
ton. The exhibit made of the condition o
our Indian population, and the progress Of
the work for their enlightenment,
Notwithstanding the many embar
easements which hinder the better ad-
ministration of this important
branch Of the service, is Q gratifying and
hopeful one. The funds appropriated for
the Indian service for the fiscal year Just
passed, with the available income from In
dian lands and trust moneys. amounting in
all to 81 Sic, IT'S II, were ample for the ser
vice under the conditions and restrictions of
the laws regulating their expenditures.
There remained a balance on hand on June
30, 1886, Of 81, sec, 023 30, of which $1,3S,-
1853 Il are permanent funds for the fulfill
ment of treaties and other like purposes, and
the remainder, $322, 255 %, is subject TO be
carried to- the surplus fund as required b.
law. Tbs estimates presented for appropri-
atoms for the ensuipg fiscal year amount to
IS. 6O8, S73 81, or $442, 1886 20 less than thost
laid before congress last year. The present
system of agencies. while absolutel,
necessary and well adapted for TIE
management of our Indian affairs,
and for the ends in view, when,
Indian management, inadequate, standing
alone for the accomplishment of an objec
which has become pressing in its import
ance-tte ,more rapid transition from tribal
organic 4tions to citizenship of such portion
of the Indians as are capable Of civilized
life. The existing system was adopted when
the Indian race was outside of the limits OF
organized states and territories, and beyond
the Immediate reach and operation OF civil
ization, asd all efforts were mainly directed
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 of the bonds of organized
government, and society, except that the
territorial system las 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 be considered
as submissive to the control of the govern
ment, az few of them only are troublesome.
Except the fragments of several bands all are
gathered upon reservations. 1t 10 no longer
l. E. L - 49, ,-k n1o a
the spontaneous productions of the earth.
With an abundance of land, il furnished
with the means and implements for profta-
tle husb .ndry, their life Of entire depsnd-
enco uSon government relations from day
10 day il no longer dsfenGble. Thsir inoli-
uatinn tnne fcek.xed by Ssses*sSe system
Of controI, clines 70 tie habits End customs
Of their ancestors, and they struggle with
persistence against the change Of lie which
their altered circumstances press upon shem.
But barbarism and civilization cannot live
together. It ia impossible that such moon
gruous conditions should exist on the same
soil. They are a portion of our people, are
under the authority of our government and
have peculiar claim upon and arc entitled
to the fostering care and protection OF the
nation. The government cannot relieve it
self of this responsibility until they are 20
far trained and civilized a to b able wholly
W Hdu6kO oAu SdKO AOk 6A0h400Av0~ = -
paths 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 competent
to assume the duties and responsibilities of
our citizenship. Progress in this great
work will continue only at the present slow
pace and at great expense, unless the sys-
tenn and methods of management are i'm
proved 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 bur
dened with the details of accountability for
funds and supplies, have time to look after
the industrial training and improvement of
few Indians only. The many are neg
lected and remain idle and dependent-con-
ditions not favorable to the progression of
civilization. The compensation allowed
the agents, and the conditions of the service
are not calculated to secure for the work,
men who are fitted by ability and skill to
properly plan and intelligently direct the
methods best adapted to produce the most
speedy results and permanent benefits;
hsnce the necessity for a supplemental
agency, or system, directed to the end of
the general and more rapid
transition of the tribes from habits and Gus
toms of barbarism to the ways of civillza-
ION. With an anxious desire to
1evise sOn plan of operation by
which to sc ure the welfare of the Indians,
and to relieve the treasury as far as possible
from the support of an idle and dependent
population, [ recommended, in my previous
annual message, the passage of q law auth
orlZing the appointment of q commission
as an instrumentality auxiliary to those
already established, for the care of the In
dians. TWAS designed that this commits
sion should be composed of six intelligent
and capable persons, three to be detailed
from the army, having practical ideas upon
the subject of the treatment of the Indiana,
and interested in their welfare, and that it
should be charged under the direction of the
secretary of the interior with the manage
nent of such matters of detail as cannot,
with the present organization, be properly
and successfully conducted, and which pre-
sent different phases, as the Indians them
selves differ in their progress, needs, dispo-
sition and capacity for improvement or i'm
mediate self-support. By the aid of such
much unwise and useless ex-
penditure of money, waste of materials and
lnavailing efforts might be avoided, and it
g hoped that this, or some measure which
The wisdom of congress may better devise
10 supply the deficiency of the
present system, may receive your considers
ion and the appropriate legislation be pro-
Vided. The time is ripe for the work of such
IN agency. There is less opposition to the
and training of the Indian youth,
as shown by the increased attendance upon
The schools: and there ia n vieldino xordsnc