Morning journal and courier., 1889-12-04
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

the subject of prohibitOry and even penal legislation.
 The subject of an international copyright has been frequently commended to the attsn- ton of congress by my predecessors. Ine enactment of such law would be eminently wise and just.
 THE NAH. SERVICE.
 The report of the postmaster general not only exhibits the operations of the depart pnent for the last fiscal year, but contains many valuable suggestions for the improve msns and extension of the service. which are commended to your attention. No other branch of the government has so close con tact with the daily life of the people. Al
 aoss everyone uses the service 1t offers, and every hour gained in the transmission of the great commercial mails has an actual and possible value that only those engaged in trade can understand. The saving of one day in the transmission of the mails between New York and San Francisco, which has re- gently been accomplished, is an incident worthyo of mention. The plan suggested or districts, that shall involve instruction and suggestion, and rating of the efficiency of the postmasters would, have no doubt, greatly improve the service. A present ne- cessity exists for the erection of building for the joint use of the department and the city postofice. The department was par tially relieved by renting outside quarters for part of its force, but 1t is again over. crowded. The building used by the city of- inadequate and unwholsome. The unsatis~ factory condition of the law relating to the transmission through the mails of lottery advertisement and remittances is clearly | stated by the postmaster general, and his suggestion as to amendments should have
 your favorable consideration.
 THE INDIANS.
 The report of the secretary of the interior exhibits the transactions of the government with the Indian tribes. Substantial progress has been made in the education of childreI of school age and the allotment of lands tt adult Indians. It is to be regretted that thu policy of breaking the tribal relation ant | dealing with Indians, as an individual, dit not appear earlier In our legislation. Larg' reservations, held in common, and the main | tenance of the authority of the chiefs ant head men have deprived the individual O every incentive to the exercise of thrift, aut tho annuity has contributed an affirmative | impulse toward . state of confirmed pauper
 ism. Our treaty stipulations should be ob
 served with fidelity and our legislation should
 be highly considsrate of the best interests o
 an ignorant and helpless people. The reserva
 tions are now generally surrounded by whit'
 settlements. We can no longer push the In
 dian back into the wilderness, and 1t remains
 only, by every suitable agency, to push hin upward into the state of a self-supportinl and responsible citizen. For the adult, tht first step is to locate him upon Q farm, and for the child, to place him in a school. School
 attendance should be promoted by every
 moral agency, and thus failing, should be compelled. The national schools for Indians
 have been very successful and should be multiplied, and, as far as possible, should be SO organized and conducted as to facilitate the transfer of the school to States or terri tories in which they are located whom the In dians in . nsighborhood have accepted citi zenship and have become otherwise fitted for such . transfer. This condition of thinga will be attained slowly, but 1t will be hast. ened by keeping 1t in mind. In the mean- time, that cooperation between the govern ment and the mission schools, which has brought much good, should be cordially and impartially maintained.