St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-05-19
"PENNY WISE AND POUND
FOOLISH"

IL is always agree able news to Demo-
| Gratis to learn that retrenchment is be-
ing made i'll the expenses of the general
government. There are so many leaks
that could be advantageOusly stopped
in the annual appropriations that it has
long been wonder why they have not
been attended to by congress. and
especially by the committee on appro-
priations. presided over by Mr.. Holman,
of Indiana.
This gentleman has posed as an
economist before the country for a
long series Of years. and is entitled to
much credit fer what he has accom-.
plished i'll the way Of looping off use
less expenditures: but 1t has been dis
covered by those who have closely
watched his methods that his efforts IN
this line are always directed to local..
ties and interests that do not directly
affect his district or constituency.
He has now declared war against the
board of Indian commissioners ana the
superintendent of Indian schools. and
he would withhold or so diminish the
appropriations for these interests as to
render them practically useless. This
is the worst kind of extravaganza. con-
cealed under the name economy. and
should be frowned upon by all sensible
men. and especially by all the people of
the Northwest.
1t has been for nearly the whole life
of the nation disagreeable necessity
for the government to fight the Indians.
and this enforced policy has cost I'M
told millions Of treasure and uDconnted
lives of our soldiers and citizens.
Within the past few years the Indian
question has been practically settled by
reducing them to the condition of pris-
oners of war. and locating them npon
reservations. where they are subsisted
by the government. and compelled to
remain. The expense of this system is
mere bagatelle compared with that of
one campaign against them. But tine
principal element in the successful out
come of this experiment is in their edu-
cation and civilization. It is not ex-
pected to either educate or elevate the
adults of the tribes. but it has been
demonstrated that the new generation
is easily susceptible OF civilizlng influ-
ences. and has developed wonderful
aptitude for the acquisition of knowl-
edge.
The nation owes to these savages and
their progeny reparation for many
wrongs that the whites have inflicted
upon them. and about the only manner
in which it can pay this debt is to use
all the means at its command to better
their condition mentally. physically and
morally. 1t has already accomplished
vast deal in this direction. and the good
work must not be interfered with on the
flimsy and fatal pretense of economy.
Nearly all the advancement that has
been made in the condition of the In
dams has been done through the agency
of the board of Indian commissioners
and such patriotic phllanthropists as
Bishop Whlpple. of Minnesota, and
other gentlemen who have expended
their best energies in the cause of the
North American Indians.
Call off your dogs, Mr.. Holman; they
are barking up the wrong tree. Perse-
we're i'll economy, but select more ap-
propriate subject for your attack than
the people from whom we have received
so much, and to whom we have returned
so little.