The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-12-10

fiscal VI ar. g., since Dec. /, show for the Eve
months decrease Of over 81. 700 from those
of the corresponding months Of last year.
The estimates for tho current year we're $2S.. |
205, 1853 O3. Those for the next year are GEO. |
6S3 3l7, with $955, 100 additional for ueces-
sary permanent improvements These estimates
are made closely for the maintenance of the IA
val establishment a. it now is without much in
the nature OF permanent Improvement. The APP
propriAtons made for the last and current yesPs
were evidently inteuded by congress- and are
sufficient only to keep the Navy on its present
footing, by tie repairing and re6tting OF our
old ships This policy must Of course gradually
but surely destroy the Navy; and il is in itself
far from economical, each year that it is pur-
sued the necessity for mere repairs in ships and
navy-yards becomes more imperative and more
costly, and our current expenses are annually
increased for the mere repair OF ships many Of
which must soon become unsafe and useless
hope during the present session of congress
to be able to submit to it plan by which naval
vessels can be built and repairs made with great
saving upon the present cost. 1t can hardly be
wise craftsmanship of "A government which rep
resents five thousand miles OF coast line on both
oceans. exclusive of Alaska, and containing forty
millions of progressive people, with relations Of
every nature with almost every foreign country
to rest with such inadequate means of enforcing
any foreign policy either of protection or redress
Separated by the ocean from the nations Of
the eastern eontlaent, our navy are our only
means OF direct protection to our citizens abroad
or for the enforcement of any foreign policy.
The accompanying report Of the Postmaster
General shows most satisfactory working of
the department With the adoption of the re-
commendations contained the,ein particularly
those relating to reform IN the Thanking privi.
lege. and the adoption of cDrrespondence cards
seit.-ustaining postal system NAV speedily he
looked for, and at no distant dav A further re-
ductlon of the rate Of postage attained
recommend authorization by congress to the
Postmaster-Gsneral and Attoruey-Genrr,l 70 l.
sue all commissions TO officials appointed through
their respective departments At present these
commissions, where appointments are Pre-1er-
tial, are issued by the State Department. The
Law In Gil departments Of government. except
those of the Pos'ofice aud OF Justice, authorizes
each to Issue It's own commissions.
Always favoring practical reforms respect.
Iuiiy call your attention to one abuse Of long
standing which would like to see remediei by
this Congress |, is reform in the civil service
OF the county. | would have il 20 beyond the
mere fixing OF the tenure OF office Of clerks and
employees who do not require the advice and
consent OF the Senate 10 make their appoin, ments
complete. | would have il govern not the ten.
ure, but the manner Of making all 4ppointm ents
There Is no duty which so much embarr.sses
the executive and beads Of departments az that
and thtnkles- labor imposed on Sen 4tors and
Representatives that of finding places for
constituents.
The present system DOES not secure the best
and often not even fit men for public place. The
elevation and publication OF the civil service OF
the government will be hailed with approval by
the whole people of the United States
Reform in the management Of Indian aft airs
has received the special attention Of the admin.
it, Ia
day. ms experiment OF making i. a mission 4ry
work was tried with g few agencies given to the
denomination OF Friends, and has been found to
work most advaut4geoasly. All agencies and
supernteadences not so disposed of were given
to officers Of the army. The act Of Congress reg.
ulating the army renders army officer. ineligible
for civil positions. Indian agencies being civil
offices, | determined 10 give all the agencies to
SUCH religious denominations as had Heretofore
e,ttollsned missionaries among the Indians and
perhaps TO some other denominations who would
undertake the work On the same terms, l. g., as
missionary work.
The societies selected above ed to name their
own agents, subject u the approval os the execu.
tive, and are expected to watch over them the
aid them missionaries to christainize and
Indian, and u train him in the arts of peace
The government watches over the official acts of
these agents. and requires of them a. strict an
accountability az If they were appointed in any
other manner l entertain the confident hope
that the policy now pursued will, in few years,
bsing all the Indians upon reservations. where
they Will live IN houses, have school houses and
churches, will be pursuing peaceful and self
sustaining avocations, and where thsv NAV be
visited by the law-abidng white man with the
same impuuity that he now visits the civilized
white settlements. call your special attention
to the report Of the commissioner of Indian
affairs for full information on this subject,
During the last fiscal year S,O95, Alb acres of
public land were disposed Of OF this GUAM.
uty F3,G9S,9lO acres were taken under the
homestead law. and 2159,5l5 acres sold for cash.
The remainder was located with military war.
rants, college or Indian scrip, applied in salts.
actlon OF grants to railroads, for other public
uses. The entries under the hsme.te I'D law dur. |
ing she last year covered 96l ,545 acres more |
IMAM those during the preceding year. Surveys |
nave been vigorously prosecuted to the full ex. |
tent OF the means applicable to the purpose The |
quantity OF land in market will amply supply |
the present demand. The claim of the settlers
under the homestead or the presumption laws is |
not, however, limited to lands subject to sale at
private entry. Any unappropriat.d surveyed
public land may to slimited amount be acquired
under the former law, if the party entitled to
enter under them will comply with the rsouire.
ments they prescribe in regard to residence and
cultivation.
The actual settlers preference right of pur.
chase il even broader, and OK tends to iands which
were unsarveyed at the time of his settlement.
Ills right was formerly confined within much
narrower limits, and, at one period of our history
was conferred only by special statutes. They
were enacted from time to time 20 leralize what
was then regarded "a >, ,ra,+b,r;,,a ;,..,,.,.. |