The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-12-09
TIE SECRETARY OF TIE I8TERIOR'S
REPORT.

TIE SECRETARY OF TIE IGTERIOR'S
REPORT.
This report includes a synopsis Of all that
has taken place during the past year in regard
to public lands mineral territory and discOve-
rics, New Mexico and Arizona mines, the
Union Pacific Railroad Company, the Indians,
Pensions, Patent Office, Public Buildings
Benevolent Institutions, the District Police,
the Census Statistics, &c.
In the first place it is obvious that the
proper management of the public lands always
must absorb a very large share ofpublic atten-
tion.
This is selG-evident, when it is remembered
that Of the two thousand million Of acres
embraced in the territorial extent Of the
United States, one thousand four hundred
million are included in the public domain.
One-third of this has already been disposed OF.
From the year 1900 up to 1860, inclusive, the
average income from sales was two and three
quarter million of dollars per year. During
the last ten years the increase has been less
than during the present decade. The receipts
from ordinary sales for the year ending June
30, 1854, were trile over six hundred and
seyenty-eight thousand dollars. The guam
tity of public land surveyed annually, for
several years past, has been the amount dis
posed Of annually.
The briet consideration which the report
gives as to mineral territory and discoveries,
is significant and suggestive. New discoveries
in the precious metals, particularly in silver,
have been made in the region bounded on the
west by the Sierra Nevada mountain ranges,
and including portions of Nevada, Arizona,
and Idaho. Some approximate idea Of the
immense mineral resources yet remaining to
us will be entertained, when ii is cOmpre-
hended that, in Nevada alone the mines which
are now open would, it is calculated, yield,
with the application Of proper machinery, ten
million of dollars per month. 1t is through
this richly-veined region that the Union
Pacific Railroad viii paqs. These facts in
regard to our mineral resources should be
well dgested. Large portions OF three States
and six Territories are included in the region
in which deposits Of precious metals abound.
The richest veins yet discovered have been
but slightly wrought New discoveries are
to be made, new applications of machinery are
to be undertaken. The wealthy reservoirs
upon which we are to draw may then be said
to be absolutely ineXhaustible. We have a
national debt topay. These will help to pay
it. The suggestion that an authentic publi-
cation should be made in regard to our yet
unapplied means, deserves all possible and
immediate encouragement. An appropriation
for these purposes would be of the utmost
value 1t would more than repay ITSELF A
principal part Of our means Of liquidating the
debt contracted by the Government for the
overthrow of the great Rebellion, these mines
can be made to furnish.
Since the adjournment of Congress, TIE
Union Pacific Railroad Company has ex-
pended more than half million of dollars
upon the main line Of the road leading west
ward from Omaha. One hundred miles of
this have been permanently located; forty
miles are in process of construction.
With regard to the Indians, the Secretary
suggests the emitting Of the appropriations
for the payment of money annuities, when
good policy or engagements that pre-exist
will sanction such an arrangement.
or the fifty one thousand one hundred and
thirty-tivs pensioners upon the rolls, five are
revolutionary soldiers, one thousand four hun
dred and eighteen are widows of revolutionary
soldiers, twenty-five thousand seven hundred
and siXty-seven are army pensioners twenty
five thousand four hundred and thirty-three
are orphans and mothers of army pensioners
and one thousand five hundred and five are
are sailors. Over four and half million of
dollars were expended on pension account
last year The National Banks, it is recon-
mended, should be required t. perform the
Office OF pension agents.
Last year six thousand seven hundred and
forty applications for patents were made and
four thousand eight hundred and forty-three
! patents were issued, including reissues The
receipts of the office, up to September 3, 1864,
including balance, were two hundred and
| siXty-eight thousand five hundred and seventy
one dollars; the expenditures. two hundred
and twelve THOUSAND four hundred and fifty
three dollars; leaving a balance of eighteen
thousand dollars more than that of the pre-