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

vice are not calculated to secure for the
workmen who are fitted by ability and
skill to properly plan and intelligently di-
rect the methods best adapted to produce
the most speedy results and permanent
benefit. Hence the necessity for a sup
Elemental agency or system directed to
the end of promoting the general and
more rapid transition of tribes from hab-
its and customs of barbarism to the ways
of civilization with an anxious desire to
devise some plan of operation by
which to secure the welfare OF the In
dians, and to relieve the treasury as far
as possible from the support of an idle
and dependent population, recon-
mended in my previous annual message,
the passage of a law authorizing the ap-
pointment of commission as an instru-
mentality, auxiliary to those already
established, for the care of the Indians
1t was designed that this commission
should be composed of six intelligent
and capable persons, three to be detailed
from the army and that it should
be charged under the direction of the
Secretary of the Interior, with the man
agement of such matters of detail as can
not with the present organization be
properly and successfully conducted, and
which present different phases, as the
Indians themselves differ in their progress,
needs, disposition and capacity for i'm
provement or Immediate self-support.
By the aid of such a commission, much
unw1se and useless expenditure of money,
waste of materials aud unava1ling efforts
might be avoided; and it is hoped that
this or some measure which the wisdom
of congress may better devise
to supply the deficiency of tho
present system may receive your consi-
deration and that appropriate legislation
be provided. The time is ripe for the
work of such an agency; there is less OPP
position to the education and training of
the Indian youth, as shown by the at
tendance upon the schools, and there is a
yielding tendency for the individual hold
ing of land. Development and advance
ment in these directions are essential. and
should have every encouragement As the
rising generations are taught the language
of civilization and trained in habits of
industry, they should assume the duties,
privileges and responsibilities of citizen
ship, and no obstacles should hinder
the location and settlement of any In
dams willing to take land in sevaralty. On
the contrary the inclination to DO so
should be stimulated at all times with
proper expedients; but there is no author
ity of law for making allotments on some
of the reservations and on others the al
iotments provided for are so small that
the Indsans though ready and desiring to,
settle down are not wiiling to accept such
small areas when their reservations CON
tain ample lands to afford them home
steadS of sufficient size to meet their
c,,+,,
inequalities of existing special laws
and treaties should be corrected and some
general legislation on the subject should
be provided so that the more progressive
members of the different tribes may be
settled upon homesteads, and by their ex-
ample teach others to follow, breaking
away from ancient customs and substitu-
ting therefor the love of home the inter
est of the family and the rule of the
state. The Indians character and nature
are such that they are not easily led while
brooklng over adjusted wrongs, this is
especially so regarding their lands,
matters arising from the construct
ion and operation of railroads
across some of the reservations and
the claims of title and right of occupan-
cy set up by white persons to some of
the best land within other reservations,
require legislation for their final adjust
ment. The settlement of these matters
will remove many embarrassments to the
progress in the work of leading the Indi-
ans to the adoption of our institutions
and bringing them under the operation
of the influence and the protection of the
universal laws of our country.
THE PUBLIC LANDS.
The recommendation of the secretary
% the interior, and the commissioner of
the general land Office, looking to the
letter protection of the public lands
and of the public surveys, the
preservation of natural forests, the ad-
Indication of grants to states and corpo-
rations and of private lands and the in
creased efficiency Of the public land SER
vice are commended to the attention of