Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-12-04
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF
THE INTERIOR.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF
THE INTERIOR
Secretary DelanO reports that the humane
and peaceful policy which has been inaugurated
by the government in the conduct of Indian al
fairs for the past two years has been productive
Of gratifying results.
The most noticeable effect of the new policy
thus far has been 20 suppress Indian wars and
sepredatiOus, TO unite tribes upon reservations
designated for them by government authority,
10 improve their education in letters, in the
practice of agriculture and other industries in
the reformation Of prevailing vices. and the
generally gratifying evidences of a degree OF
progress which offers good reason TO hope for
the gradual social elevation and ehristianization
Of the race.
Though this peace policy has been generally
maintained, and better understanding of the
designs Of the government toward them prevails
among the Indians, excepting few nomadic
tribes IN Arizona, New Mexico, and on the
western borders of Texas, which have not vet
been 50 fully reached by the influence Of the
HeN policy, outrages by those bands or tribes
haye been punished 80 promptly by the military
authorities, under the influence OF which the
disposition to make peace is generally manifest.
Some progress is being made towards inducing
The more troublesome OF those tribes TO accept
and enter upon reservations, and there Is rea-
sonable ground 70 hope that it win eventually
be accomplished.
For this purpose il is of Importance that in
creased and liberal appropriations for food
siothiHg, and farming implements be made by
The Secretary recommends compulsory edu-
cation 20 certain extent upon the Indians;
also, the payment of agricultural premiums.
He also recommends the appointment of inspec-
tors over the Indian agencies; also, an increase
o. the salary of the Commissioner of Indian
Affairs to at least 5000.
The Indian population now under the iurisiic-
non OF the Cnited States, according to the Ost
reliable data 10 be obtained, is about 32i 100.
This number includes IS 600, the estimated In
dan population of Alaska, and $50, scattered
throughout the States of Florida, North Caro-
ma, Indiana, Iowa and Texas, not maintaining
tribal relations.
The Indians under the Jurisdiction of the
United States are now located on reservations of
land amounting in the aggregate TO 22s.fT3
square miles, or 10 $40 81 acres. Could the
entire Indian population OF the country, exclud-
ing Alaska and those scattered among the States
heretofore mentioned, be located in the Indian
Territory, there would be 1SO acres ofland, per
caPitG, for the entire number, showing that
there Is an ample area OF land 70 afford them all
comfortable homes.
On the other hand. such a disposition OF the
now scattered tribes would release from Indian
occupancy &C ,fs2, 81 acres of land and throw il
open 70 white settlement and cultivation. This
gathering together OF all the outlying tribes into
a comparatively small territory il the problem
now before us The Secretary does not doubt
nat with judieious management and a careful
observance OF treaty srtpulatiOns the plan of
gathering all the tribes into smaller area can
be successfully accomplished.
The sales of public lands for the fiscal year
were lO,ttS,sy203 acres, an increased disposal
a. COMPARED with the preceding year OF
compensation 20 the employees of the General
Land ONCE, in accordance with the suggestion
of the Commissioner.
There were fled in the Patent Office during
the year ending September 80. 1871, 19, 429 appl-
cations for patents, including reissues and
designs; 3 So caveats; and Isl applications for
the extension OF patents. Twelve thousand nine
hundred and fifty patents, including reissues
and designs, were issued, and AZ extended: 5ll
applications for trademarks were received, AMI
852 Trademarks issued The fees received
during said wear amount to SO. ,5S3.Sl, and the
expenditures for the same period were $3.50 OF o.
leaving surplus OF Sill, j+2 II of receipts over
next fiscal wear Is S6pG,400.
The rapidly-extending business OF the Office
requires more room, and although additional
room has been provided during the year by the
transfer OF the Pension Office clerks to another
building, the Patent once il still without suifi-
eient room for the transaction OF its business in
a satisfactory manner.
The whole amount paid during the last fiscal
year 20 invalid military pensioners was SI2.}gf-
80 81, and TO widows. orphans, and Gepenisnt
relatives, -. Is, 400 20. making grand total OF
SJ24%2sS0 u, which includes the expenses Of
diSburSt mCnt.
II Is est mated that so ~. 400 will be required
for the pension service for the next fiscal wear
The policy OF renting private buildings for
once uses and OF keeping valuable pubic
records IN structures liable 70 destruction BY fire
can only be excused on the ground % necessity.
a due regard Tor the safety of the public
records would dictate the pressing need for the
construction Of suitable buildings tor the com
Portable and ssfe occupancy Of the bureaus. The
Secretary therefore. rruewS the TecOmmeuta-
ton made by several OF his predecessor. that
early action be taken b. Congress looking 70 the
erection OF a suitable building for this Depart
neH'.
The Secretary SAYS the report of the Commits
sioner OF Education exhibits, in fullest detail,
the interesting and important results be has
achieved although the clerical force at his com
mand would seem 20 be inadequate to the proper
discharge OF the duties with which the bureau
Ithas been the design CT the Commissioner to
establish and maintain an intimate and constant
communication with thu various educational
centers Of the country; TO * and to supply in
formation; TO distribute documents and TO pur-
sue original Investigations
The general plan Of the report of the Ninth
Census, as shown by those portions OF il which
are already in print, exhibits many interesting
arrangement over any pre- ceding report, and the
CONDITION OF the general work Of the Census
Bureau is 50 well advanced that the full reports
of the census will be given to the public
much earlier day than ever before
The report Of the Architect furnishes details
of various improvements and repairs made upon
the Capitol extension during the past year.
The Architect recommends that some pro-
vision be made by Congress for inclosing, plant
rounding the Capitol building which belong TO
the United States, and also for paving 10th
the streets and footwsys around the lower
grounds of the building
The appropriations asked for make an aggre-
gate Of se9,0eo, viz! Capitol extension, $50 ,0O0;
Capitol repairs, go new dome. $1,000 fill
I2 and grazing tapttoi sfou1ltis, SlO,UV, ana
PAVING street northeast, $4,000.
The whole number Of persons who received
treatment in the Government Hospital for the
Insane during the year ending June 80, 1911,
was CAS-, a number greater by i5s than were
treated the preceding year; 3s5 were from the
army and navy; 49l were males. One hundred
and ninety-four patients were admitted during
said year; % were discharged as recovered "a as
improved, and as unimproyed. The recover
les were - per cent OF the discharges irSsa-
ding, and IS per cent excluding, deStns The
number Of deaths during the S$me period was
~, leaving under treatDessI at the close es said
wear 5Oe. Of whom 10 were from the army and
navy. Two thousand nine hundred and ninety-
nine persons, OF whom I ,i34 were native born
have been treated at the institution since II WAS