Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1886-12-10
THE RED MAN.
The Condition of Indians Gratifying and
Hopeful.

Hopeful.
The report Of the secretary of the interior
presents comprehensive summary OF the
work of the various branches Of the public
service connected with his department, and
the suggestions and recommendations which
it contains for the improvement of the service
should receive your careful consideration. The
exhibit made Of the condition of our Indian
population, and the progress OF
the work for their enlightenment. notwith-
standing the many embarrassments which
hinder the better administration of this i'm
portant branch of the service. Is gratifying
and hopeful one. The funds appropriated for
the Indian service for the fiscal ysar just
passed, with the available income from Indian
land and trust moneys, amounting in
all to S7,85O,775 IL, were ample
for the service under the
Conditions and restrictions OF laws regulating
their expenditure. There remained balance
on hand on June 30, 1886, Of 81, $50 023. 30, Of
which 31,99T ,768 .21 are permanent funds for
ful6l.ment of treaties and other like purposes,
and the remainder, 1922, 1855. %, is subject to
be carried to the surplus fund as required by
law The estimates presented for appropria-
tons for the ensuing ftcal year
amount to s., 6O8,S73 Cd or SAP, 1856 20 less
than those laid before the congress last year.
The present system of agencies, while ab-
eoutely necessary and we'll adapted for the
ends in view when it was adopted. IL, in the
present state Of Indian management, made
quate, standing alone for the accomplishment
Of IN 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 as are incapable of civilized life
When the existing system was adopted the In
dian race was outside OF the limits of organ
10
immediate reach and operation OF civilization,
and all efforts were mainly directed to the
maintenance Of friendly relations and the
preservation Of peace aud quiet on the from
tier 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, surrounding
! these people at every point. None OF the
tribes are outside Of the bounds Of organized
government and society, except that the terri
torial system has not been extended over that
portion Of the country-kuown as the Indian
territory. AZ 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 fragments OF several bands, all are now
gathered upon reservations 1t Is no longer
| possible for them to subsist by the chase, and
the spontaneous productions Of the earth
| With an abundance OF land. II furnished with
| the means and implements for profitable hus-
| bandry, their life of entire dependence upon
| government rations from day to day
is no longer aefenslble. Their ineli-
nation, long fostered by q 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 cannot live to-
gether. It is impossible that such incon-
Rruous conditions should coexiet on the same
soil. They are q portion Of our people, are
under the authority Of our government, and
have q peculiar claim upon and are entitled to
the fostering care and protection OF the ma
ton. The government cannot relieve itself OF
this responsibility until they are SO far
| TRAINED AND CIVILIZED
as to be able wholly to manage and care fol-
themselves. The patns 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 as
sumo the duties and responsibilities
of our citizenship. Progress in
this great work win continue only
st the present slow pace and at great
expense, unless the system end methods Of
management are improved to meet the changed
conditions and urgent demands Of the service.
The agents having general charge and super
vision in many cases Of more than 5000 In