The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1870-12-08

closely for the maintenance of the laval
esta bishment as it now is, without much in
the nature of permanent improvements. The
appro priation made for the last and current
year were evidently intended by Congress.
and are sufficient only to keep the navy Oh
it's present footing by the repairing and re.
fitting of our old ships. This policy must of
course gradually but surely destroy the navy,
and it is in itself Tar from economical, as
each year that it is pursued. the necessity
for more repairs in shiDs and navy yards be
comes more imperative and more costly, and
our current expenses ere 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 a plan by which
naval vessels can be built, and repairs made,
with great saving upon the present Co.'S.
1t can hardly be wise craftsmanship in a
Government which represents country with
over five thousand miles of coast line on
both oceans, exclusive of Alaska, and con-
tanning forty millions of progressive people,
with relations OF every nature with almost
every foreign country; to rest with such in
adequate means OF enfOl cling any foreign
policy, either Of protection or redress Sepa-
rated by the ocean from the nations of the
Eastern continent, our navy is our only
means of direct protection to our ctiz, MS
abroad, or for the enforcement of any foreign
policy.
THE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT.
The accompanying report of the Postmaster
General shows a most satisfactory working
of the Department. With the adoption of
the recommendations contained therein, par
tlcularIy those relating to reform in the
ranking privilege, and the adoption of cor.
respondence cards, selfsustaining postal
system may speedily be looked for, and at
no distant laJ further reduction of tn, rate
of postage attained
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
| commend the authorization by Congress
of the Posi- master General and Attorney Gen.
era, to,issue all commissions to officials ap.
pointed through their respective depart
ments. AT present these commissions, where
appointments are presidential, are issued by
the State Department The law In all the
dep trtments of the Government except those
of the post-otfice and of justice, authorizes
each to issue its own commissions. Always
tavorlng practical reforms, l respectfully
call your attention to one abuse OF long
standing, which would like to see remedied
by this Congress. 1t is reform in the civil
service OF the country | would have it 90
beyond the mere fixing of thu tenure of office
OF clerks and employees, who do not require
the advice and consent of the Senate to make
their appointment complete. | would have
it govern not he tenure but the manner of
making all appointments There is no duty
which so much embarrasses the Executive
and heads OF departments as that of appoint
IlcuIS, nor - IucTG any SuCQ ArQuOuS ana
thankless labor imposed on Senators and
Representatives as that of finding places for
constituents. The present system does not
secure the best and often not fit men for
public places. The elevation and purfca
ton of the civil service of the Government
will be hailed with approval 10y the whole
people OF the United States
THE INDIAN POLICY.
Reform in the management of Indian
affairs has received the special attention
of the administration from its inaugura
ton to the present day. The experiment
of making missionary work was tried
with few agencies given to the Demon
ination OF Friends, and has been found
to work most advantageously. All
agenc es and superntendencies not so
disposed Of were given to officers Of the
army. The act of Congress regulating
the army renders army officers Ineligible
for civil positions, Indian agencies being
civil office s., l determined to give ali
the agencies IS such religious denomina
lions as had heretofore established miss
onarles among the Indians and perhaps
to some other denomination who would
undertake the work on the same terms,
). cas- missionary work The
societies selected are allowed the name
of their own agents, subj CT to the ap
prevail OF the Executive, and are expected
to watch over them and aid them as
missionaries, to Christianize and civillze
the Indian, and to train him in the acts
of peace. The Government watches over
the official acts Of these agents, and re
qulres OF them as strict an accountability
as it they were appoin ed in and other
manner. | entertain the confident hope
that the policy now pursued will, in
few years, bring all Indians upon reserv-
atlons, where they will live in houses,
have school houses and churches, will be
pursuing peaceful and Aselfsustaining
avocations, and where they NAV he
visited by the law abiding white men
with the same impunity that he now
visits the civilized white settlements.
| call your special attention to the report
CT the Commissioner of Indian Affairs for
full information on the subject.
PUBLIC LANDS
During the last fiscal year 7.O95.413
acres of public lands were disposed Of
Of this quantity 3698,910 acres were
taken under the homestead Law, and 2,
1858 acres sold for cash. The remain
der was located with military warrants,
college or Indian scrip, or applied in.
of grants to railroads or other
public uses. The entries under the
homes eaj law during the last year are 962,
$40 acres more than those during the
preceding year. Surveys have been
prosecuted to the full extent
of the means applicable to the purpose.
The quantity OF land in market will
amply supply the present demand The
ella m of the settlers under the homestead
or the presumption laws is not Hniced
however to lands subject to sale at
private entity Any inappropriate Ell
surveyed public land may, to limited
amount, be acquired under the former