Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-12-09
REPORT OF TIVE SECRETARY OF
THE INTERIOR.

Secretary Browning reports that during the
last fiscal year public lands were disposed OF to
the amount of 6,655, 80 acres, qu lntity less
by -J,372 acres than that disposed OF the pre- =
yiOUs year. The cash receipts OF the OIL ce
during the same period, from all sources,
amounted to sl.6.i2, Is 80, which exceeds tue
amount received from the same sources the
previous fiscal year by Sz8i, eS3.3S. The guam
uiy of lands still undisposed of is l,i,o, }66,67s
acres. Measures have been taken for estab-
fishing the boundary lines BET Nebraska
and Colorado; Nebraska and Wyoming; Ne
vada, Utah. and Arizona; and for running the
northern boundary OF New Mexico.
i here are at the present time on the rolls the
names of cSo widows OF revolutionary soldiers,
and 1913 widows and children OF soldiers who
served IN wars subsequent to the revolution
and prior TO the REBELLION. During the year
there Were added to the number of pensioners
Of all Glasses, 2S.y2l; there were dropped, from
various causes, 1i,752, leaving on the rolls,
June 30, 1868, 1868. The total amount paid
for pensions OF all classes, including the ex-
penses OF disbursement, was S2i,C10,9Sl.99, a
sum greater by $780, ,U25.53 thar that paid the
previous year. There We're LOT bounty land
warrants Issued tor l67, 30 acres.
Secretary Browning treats at considerable
lerRth upon the Indian question, and holds
that we have no just ground Of reproach
against most OF the tribes for the non fulfill
ment of their treaty stipulatiOns. 1t is q sig
nificant fact. he thinks, that during the win ter
OF 1861 when more than % 900 Indians were
subsIsted by us, not q single act Of depreciation
or violence was reported. IL Is DeIleVe0 tnat
peaceful relations would have been maintained
to this hour had Congress. in accordance with
the estimates submitted, made the necessary
appropriations to enable this Department to
perform engagements for which the public
faith was pledged. A costly Indian war, with
all its horrors. would have been avoided.
The lands within the limits Of reservations set
apart for Indians who have made some pro-
gress in the arts OF civilized life, should not be
held in common. When surveyed, the title in
severalty to small tracts designated by specific
legal subdivisions. should be vested in indi.
viduais, with no power Of alternating them, ex-
cept to members OF the tribe. The government
should guarantee to the Indians the perpetual
and exclusive right to remain in the undis.
turbed possession Of the reservation, and pro-
hin,t, by the severest penalties, the settlement
pass upon the land Of the Indian, and often
compel him to abandon his home and seek an /.
other In distant wilderness.
The transfer OF the Indian bureau to the War
department has been suggested. Our expe-
IieDce during The period when the Indians
were under military care and guardianship
affords no ground for hope that any benefit to
them or the treasury would be secured by the
measure. 1t Is our duty to promote, by all ap.
propriate and peaceful means, the moral, in.
tellectual, and material condition OF these
wards Of the government There Is nothing in
the pursuits or character OF the soldier which
especially adapts him to this duty. 1t can be
better fulfilled by our civil officers. No di-
yided control should, however, be tolerated.
Undue interference with the exercise by this
department Of its ackno wledged and exclusive
jurisdiction over the Indians has seriously i'm.
paired its efficiency and disturbed our relations
with them.
An act approved March 2, 1867, established q
Department Of Education, inHusted the man
aeement thereof to a Commissioner, provided
for his appointment, and authorized the en-
ployment of sundry clerks, who were made
subject to his appointing and removing
power. 1t devolved upon him the duty of pre-
senting to Congress annual reports, the first OF
which was to contain q statement in relation
70 the land grants made by Congress to pro.
mote education. An act OF the last session de.
eidrvs mat the Department Of Education shall
cease from and after the Goth Of June next, and
tnat mere shall be estn blished and attached "a
ftnis Department. An Office. to be denominated
the Omc- OF Education" the chief officer Of
ton.
As the Department OF Education will, at the