The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-06

of the west than has been the case
hitherto.
Third. Within comparatively
short time the reserves will become
| self-supporting. This is important,
| because continually and rapidly in
creasing appropriations will be neces-
Sary for the proper care of this ex-
ceedingly important interest of the ma
ton, and they can and should be on
set by returns from the national for
ests- Under similar circumstances the
forest possessions of other great ma
| tons form an important source OF
| revenue to their governments
Every administrative officer con-
cerned is convinced of the necessity
for the proposed consolidation OF for
| est work in the department OF agricui-
ture. and myself have urged 1t more
| than once in former messages. Again
commend it to the early and favor
able consideration of the congress. Ths
interests of the nation at large and of
the west in particular have suffered
greatly because of the delay.
Public Lands.
I call the attention of the congress
again to the report and recommendation
of the commission on the public lands
forwarded by me to the second session
of the present congress. The commits
sion has prosecuted its investigations
actively during the past season, and q
second report is now In an advanced
stage OF preparation.
Game Preserves.
forest reserves I desire again to urge
upon the congress the Importance OF
authorizing the president to set aside
certain portions of these reserves or
other public lands as game refugees for
the preservation of the bison, the waDi-
ii, and other large beasts once so
abundant in our woods and mountains
and on. our great plains, and now tend
ing toward extinction. Every support
should be given to the authorities OF
the Yellowstone park in their success
full efforts at preserving the large crea-
lures therein: and at very little expense
portions of the public domain in other
regions which are wholly unsuited to
agricultural settlement could be SINH
larly utilized. We owe II to future gen
erations to keep alive the noble and
beautiful creatures which by their ,
presence add such distinctive character
to the American wilderness. The limits
of the Yellowstone park should be ex-
tended southwards. The Canyon of the
Colorado should be made a national
park; and the national park system
should include the Yosemite and as
many as possible of the groves of giant
trees in California.
Pensions.
The veterans of the Civil war have a
claim upon the nation such as no other
body of our citizens possess. The PEN
sion bureau has never IN its history
been managed in a more satisfactory
manner than is now the case.
Indians.
The progress of the Indians toward
civilization, though not rapid. is per-
haps all that could be hoped for in
view of the circumstances. Within the
past year many tribes have shown, in
a degree greater than ever before, an
appreciation OF the necessity Of work.
This changed attitude is in part due to
the policy recently pursued Of reducing
the amount Of Subsistence to the Indians
and thus forcing them, through sheer
necessity, to work for a livelihood. The
policy, though severe, is a useful ones
but it is to be exercised only with judg-
ment and with full understanding OK
the conditions which exist in each COM
for which it is intended. On or
near the Indian reservations there Is
very little demand for labor,
and If the Indians are to earn their
living and when work can not be fur
nished from outside (Which Is always
preferable), then 1t must be furnished
by the government. Practical instruc-
ton of this kind would in a few years
result in the forming Of habits OF regu-
lar industry, which would render the
Indian a producer and would erect a
great reduction in the cost OF his main
It is commonly declared that the
slow advance of the Indians Is que TO
men appointed to take immediate
charge of them. and to some extent
his is true. While the standard of the
employees in the Indian service shows
great improvement over that OF by
zone years, and while actual corrup-
ion or fragrant dishonesty is now the
are exception, it is nevertheless the
act that the salaries paid indian
agents are not large enough to attract
he best men to that field Of work. To
Lchieve satisfactory results the official
n charge of an Indian tribe should
possess the high qualifications which
ire required in the manager of a large
but only in exceptional cases
S 1t possible to secure men OF such
ype for these positions. Much better
ervice, however, might be obtained
rom those now holding the places
we're 1t practicable to get out of them
he best that is in them, and this
hould be done by bringing them con-
family into closer touch with their
uperior officers. An agent who has
,een content to draw his salary, giving
n return the least possible equivalent
n effort and service. may, by proper
reatment, by suggestion and encour-
cement, or persistent urging, be slim
lated to greater effort and induced to
AXE more active personal interest in
lis work.
Under existing conditions an Indian
gent in the distant west may be
Wholly out of touch with the office of
he Indian bureau He may very well
eel that no one takes a personal in
crest in him or his efforts. Certain
outline duties in the way of reports
nd accounts are required of him, but
here is no one with whom he may in
consult on matters vital to
is work. except after Long delay.
ged and aided by personal contact
nth some one whose interest in In
ian affairs and whose authority in
ne Indian bureau were greater than
is own, and such contact would be
ertain to arouse and constantly In
rease the interest he takes in his
'ork.
The distance which separates the
workers in the field-from
ne Indian office in Washington Is q
hief obstacle to Indian progress.