Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-09

duty can scarcely be discharged with
out more absolute control and discretion,
than Is possible under the present sys-
tenn.
Many of our good citizens have later
ested themselves with the most beneficial
results.
THE QUESTIONS OF PRISON REFORM
Ihe general government should be in
situation, since there must be United
o5ates prisoners, to furnish Important aid
In this movement, and should be able to
Illustrate what may be practically done In
the direction of their reform, and to pre-
sent an example on the treatment and
improvement of its prisoners worthy of
imitation. With prisoners under its own
control, the government could deal with
the somewhat vexed question of convict
labor, so far as its convictS were concerned,
according to plan of its own adop ion,
and with due regard to the rights and in
terests Of our laboring citizens. instead of
sometimes aiding in the operations of
a system which causes among them irri-
tatlon and discomfort. Upon considera-
ton Of this subject 1t might be thought
wise to erect more than one of these in
situations, located in such places as would
best subserve the purposes of conven-
1ence and economy in transportation.
The. considerable cost Of maintaining
these convicts as at present in state in
situations would be saved by the adoption
OF the plan proposed, and by employing
them In the manufacture of such articles
as were needed for use by the govern
ment, quite large pecuniary benefit
wnnlH ha in, oJ
our outlay. again urge change in
THE FEDERAL JUDICIAL SYSTEM
to meet the wants of the people and OBJ
y1ate the delays necessarily attending the
present condition of affairs in our courts.
Ali are agreed that something should be
done, and much favor is shown by those
well able to advise, to theplan suggested by
the attorney general at the last session of
the congress, and recommended in my last
annual message. This recommendation
IS here renewed, together with another
made at the same time, touching on a
change in the manner of compensation of
district attorneys and marshals, and the
latter subject is commended to the con-
gress for its action in the interest of
economy to the government and humani-
ty, fairness and justice to our people. The
report of
THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR
presents summary of the work of the
various branches of the public service
connected with his department, and the
suggestions and recommendation which
1t contains for the improvement of the
service should receive your careful con-
slderation. The exhibit made of the
condition of our Indian population and
the progress of the work for their en-
hghtenment, Notwithstanding the many
embarrassments which hinder the bet
ter administration of this impor-
tant branch of the service is
a gratifying and hopeful one.
INDIAN FUNDS.
The funds appropriated for the Indian
service for the fiscal year just passed,
with the available income from Indian
and trust moneys, amounting in all to
$3.50, 1852, were ample for the service
under the conditions and restrictions of
laws regulating their expenditure. There
remained balance on hand, June 80,
1885, of 81 ,660,093.3O,o of which ST ,337, 1885,
21 are permanent fund for the fulillment
of treaties and other like purposes, and
the remainder of 1925, 253.09 is sub ect
to be carried to the surplus fund as re-
CURED by law. The estimates presented
for appropriations for the ensuing fiscal
year amount to $5,608, 073.64, or S442,-
$500 less than those laid before congress
last year. The present system of
agencies, while absolutely necessary,
and well adapted for the man
agement of our Indian affairs for
the ends IN view when
it was adopted is, in the present stage of
Indian management, inadequate, stand
ing alone for the accomplishment of an
object which has become pressing in its
Importance, and the more rapid transition
from tribal organization to citizenship,
of such portions of the Indians as are
incapable of civilized life. When the
existing system was adopted the Indian
race was outside of the limits of the Or
ganized states and territories and beyond
the Immediate reach and operation of
civilization, and 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 in
Huence of Christianity surrounds these
people at every point. None OF the
tribes are outside of the bounds of Or
ganized 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 be considered as submissive to the
control of the government as few of them
only are troublesome. Except the frag-
ments Of several bands all are now
gathered upon reservations, it is not
longer possible to force them to subsist
by the chase and the spontaneous pro-
auctions of the earth. With an abund-
ance of land, if furnished with means and
implements Of profitable husbandry,
their life of entire dependence upon gov
eminent rations from day to day is no
longer defensible. Their inclinations be-
ing fostered by a defective system of
CONTROL is to cling to the habits and
customs of their ancestors and struggle
with persistence against the change of life
which their altered circumstances press
upon them; but barbarism and civilization
cannon live together, it is impossible |