The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1886-12-09

| sents Q comprehensive summary OF the work OF
| the various branches of the public service con-
| nected with his department., and the sugges-
lions and recommendations which it contains
| for the improvement Of the service should re-
| ceive your careful consideration. The exhibit
| made of the condition of our Indian population
and the progress Of the work for their enlighten
ment, notwithstanding the many embarrass-
ments which hinder the better administration
| Of this important branch OF the service, Is
| gratifying and hopeful one. The funds appro-
priated for the Indian service Tor the fiscal yea
| Just passed. with the available income from In
dian land and trust moneys, amounting in all to
$780, IT'S. IL, were ample!for the service under
| lating their expenditure. There remained ball
| ance on hand on June 80, 1886. of 81 $780,
O28. 80. Of which 81 1897. 76s;2 p are permanent
| funds for the fulfillment of treaties and other
| like purposes, and the remainder. 1892, 25o o.
| is subject to be carried to the surplus fund as
required by law, The estimates presented for
| appropriations for the ensuing fiscal year
| amount to So, sos. s7364. or S442, 1856 20 less
| than those laid before the congress last year.
The present system OF AGENCIES. while abso.
the management Of our Indian at
airs, and for the ends in view when
It was adopted. is in the present state OF Indian
MANAGEMENT, inadequate, standing alone for the
accomplishment OF an object which has become
pressing in its impcrtance-the more rapid
transition from tribal orGanfSations to citizen
ship Of such portions Of the Indians Ps are
capable OF civilized life. When the existing sgs-
tenn 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 al efforts were mainly directed
to the maintenance OF friendly relations and the
Of and Suls. On ths Ton tSgs
IS the Indian frontier. Civilization. with the
busy hum of industry and the influence OF
Christianity. surrounds these people az every
point None Of the tribes are outside the bounds
Of organized government and society, except
that the territorial system has not been extended
Indian Territory. As race the Indians are
NO LONGER HOSTILE.
but may be considered as submissive to the con-
troublesome. Except the fragments Of several
bands all are now gathered upon reservations.
L is no longer possible to force them to subsiat
tie Garth. With an abundance Of land. il fur
nisbed with she means and implements Tor
profitable husbandry. their lie of entire depend
is no longer oefensible Their INCLINATION, Long
tostered by defective system OF control. Is GO
cling to the habits and customs OF their alces-
change Of life which their altered circumstances
press upon them. But h3rbar1sm and clvil1za-
ton cannot live together: IT ts Impossible tnat
such incongruous conditions should ooexist on
the same soil They are a portion Of our people,
are under the authority OF our government. ana
have o peculiar claim and are entitled to the
fostering care and protection of the nation. The
government cannot relieve itself of this resposi-
bility until they are far trained and civilized
as to he able wholly to manage and care Tor
themselves. The paths In which they should
walk must be clearly marked out for them, and
they must be led or guided untll tney
are familiar with the way and competent
to assume the duties apd responsibilities Of our
| citizenship Progress in this great work will
| continue only at the present slow H$ea ard at
| great expense, unless the system ana metnods
of management are Improved to meet the
changed conditions and urgent demands OF tho
service. The sgeats laying general charge and
| supervision in many cases OF more imam 5,oO0
r Low
| burdened with the details OF accountability tor
| funds and supplies, have time to look after the
| Industrial training and improvements OF lew
Indians only The many are ne2le tied, and re-
| main idle aEd spondent-condlt1onsn not favor-
| able for the progress Of civilization. The COM
| pensation allowed these asepts and the condt-
lions of the service are not Gacalateq to secure
| for the work men who are fitted by abiiaGY SgQ
skill properly plan and inteligently direct the
methods best adopted to produce the most
speedy results and permanent benefits Hence
| the necessity for q supplemental agency or sys.
TEN directed to the end OF promoting the general
and more rapid transition OF tribes IRON tle
| civilization With an anxious desire to devise
| some plan OF operation by which to secure the
welfare Of the indians and to relieve sne treas,
| Idle. dependent popEleti0n, recommended in
my previous annual message the passage OF a
| - APPoINTMENr OF A COMMISSION
as an instrumentality auxiliary to those already
established for the care Of the Indians It was
|
three to be detailed from tie army, hayinv prac-
| tical ideas upon the subject Of the treatment OF
Indians and Interested In their welfare. and that
It should be charged, under the direction Of the
| secretary OF the interior, with the management
. O. ouch naatters Of detail as cannot with the
and Wish psssens derens
phases, as the Indians themselves diner ~ their
| progress. needs, disposition and capacity for
improvement OF imm.dia.s selL,snpp I, a.. ~
useless expenditure Of money. waste Of materi-
ais and unavailine efforts might be avoided. and
The Il e. wisdom Of congress may better devise 10
| supply the deficiency Of the present system, may
receive your consideration and the appropriate
legislation be provided. The time ts ripe Tor
the work Of such an agency, There Is less oppo-
| sition to the education and tFaiping OF the
| Indian yonth as shown by the increased Attend
ance upon the schools. and there 10 Welding
| tendency for the individual holding OF lands.
| Development and advancement in these direc ,
lions are essential, and should have every en-
! courngement. As the rising generation are
| taught the language Of civilization and trained
| in habits ct industry. they should as
sumo the duties, privileges ana responssipiilsdies
| The location and settlement Of any Indian will
| ing TO take land tn severalty. On the contrary.
the inclinattog to do SO should be stimulated o.
| ali times whe1 proper and expedent But there
Is no s, authority q law Tor making alotments on
some Of the reservations and eg others the ailot-
ments provided for are 90 small that tRe Indians,
l
willing 60 accept such small areas. when theft
! reservations contain ample lands to AFFORD them
! homesteads of sufficient size TO meet their pres
| emit and future needa These inequalities OF ex-
| isting special laws and treatias should be cor
reetcd and some general legislation On the sub
i 1ect should be provided 20 that the more pros
rreesive members OF the different tribes may be
settled upon homesteads, and by their example
learn others to follow, breaking away from tribal
customs and substitHtipg therefor love OF nome,
interest OF the family and rHle ct the state The
Indisn character and nature are sueh thai they
1 are NOT easily led while brooding over unad-
| jnsted WRONGS This IL especially 30 regarding
their lands Natters arising from the con.
struction and operation ef railroads across SONS
OF the reservations and claims Of title and right
Of occupancy set mp by white persons to some OF
the best land within other reservatt0qss require
legislstion for their Anal adjustment. The sets
Element OF these matters Will remove many en-.
barTassments to progress IA the work Of leading
4 the Indians to the adoption Of our institutions
| and bringing them under the operation, the In
huercs and tho protection Of the universal laws
Tn rusgx0 LANpa
The recommendations Of the secretary Of the
interior and the commissioner Of the general
land olnce looking TO the better protection q
public lands and Of the public surveys. the
preservation Of the national forests, the ad5udi-
cation 1t grants to states and Conversations and