The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-12-12

ivy n"0 VIC e@aStoucc VI some gOO0 PeOPie
who never can zee beyond the ends Of their
noses. But it won't work twice. There Il sxch
thing as running charity into the ground.
n port Of the Secretary Of tho Interior.
The facts and statements set forth in this
documeM are particularly deserving of attention
from the great interests of which it treats. The
report commences with reference to the vast
extent of the public domain, which, we are in
formed, covers surface, exclusive of water, Of
one thousand four hundred and fifty million Of
acres, stretching across the continent embracing
every variety of climate and soil, Astounding in
agricultural, mineral and timber wealth. every
where inviting to enterprise, and capable of
yielding support to man. Of this, something
over four hundred millions have been surveyed
and prepared for market.
The Secretary urges with much force the ex-
tension of presumption privileges to alternate
reserved railroad sections in cases where settle
mcnts have been made after the final allotment
preference in every case to be given to actual
settlers over all others. The lands are put up
at 81 rs per acre, and their sale to this class of
owners should be supported, as the best means
Of not only increasing their value, but of check
ing that system of land speculation which
Congress should use all the means in its power
to break up.
A just and commendable regard is mani
Tested for the improvement of the condition of
the Indians; and as the most efficient plan to
secure this desirable object, the Secretary re-
cOmmends that they be collected on smaller
reservations and in denser settlements-a re-
commentator which is strengthened by the
fact that such course would tend to do away
with those nomadic habits which extensive
reservations only keep alive, and which must
prove unfavorable to their civilization and
progress. 1t is pleasing to hear that the Choc-
taws, Chckasaws Cherokees and Greeks are
in such prosperous condition, and that they
are steadily improving in education and the
industrial arts.
Upon the subject of pensions the Secretary is
very emphatic, and very just in his structures.
He is decidedly opposed to granting the claims
of the children, the grandchildren and great
grandchildren of Revolutionary soldiers, and
says that "thcy should be contented in the rich
inheritance derived from glorious ancestry,
in the liberties they enjoy, and in the institu-
tions which give them protection" Besides,
he adds, Congress has not been unmindful of
Revolutionary heroes-over sixty-one millions
of dollars having been paid to them since 1918,
in addition to large donations of land and dis
bursements of money under other laws.
The frauds that have been attempted to pro-
cure land warrants meet with proper attention,
and an extension of the limit now made by the
law for the prosecution of offences of this cha
racter urged az the best remedy for their pre-
vention. The recommendation made in the
Presidents Message that the inhabitants of the
District of Columbia be allowed representa-
tive in Congress is also urged in this report,
and their claims to voice in the national legis-
lature presented with much force. This is
proposition which should receive the concur
renee of every member of Congress.
The repeated applications of United States
District Attorneys for compensation for extra
services is alluded to as a serious abuse, which
it is proposed to remedy by increasing the sala-
ries of those oficials-thc increase to cover all
their obligations for services rendered to the
government.
As means of meeting the difficulties grow
ing out Of the law in regard to patents, the
Secretary recommends, as the most feasible
plan, the creation of a permanent Board of Re-
view, to consist of members selected from the
examiners Of the Office, and who shall be
known as the Examiners in Chief. This Board
is to determine on all appeals from the judg
ment of the primary examiners, except in case
of appeal where any Of them may have formed
and expressed an opinion. The recommendations
are worthy of consideration, and with the many
admirable suggestions and propositions contain
ed in the report, will 1t is to be hoped, meet
with that attention and prompt action to which
their Importance entities them at the hands of
Congress.