New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-12-05
THE INTERIOR.

In times of peace the great interests repre-
sented in the Department of the Interior come
TO tho front. These have dominant i'm
portance when the country Is tranquil
and the din Of arms is hushed. The
Census, Land System, Indian Affairs, Rail
roads, and other kindred topics, with all
their peaceful triumphs, are embraced IN
the satisfactory Report of the Secretary.
And the country win find much cause for
graduation and pride in the facts and figures
which are here axrayed. Foremost among these
subjects come the condition. treatment, and
possible future of those wards OF the nation
tho American Indians. The Secretary has no
words to waste upon this much-dscussed
topic, and what he says is cOncisely to
the point, though some of his views have
the merit of novelty. 1t is to be observed
that the Secretary is able to report peacea-
bio disposition among most Of the Indian
tribes, the exceptions being those wandering
races which hover along the borders OF Texas,
Ncw-Mexco, Arizona, and Dakota. 10 the
credit of the Indian Service it should be rcmem-
bered that these nomads have only lately come
under the influence of any tentative civilizing
system; indeed, 1t is but short time since
they have come in contact with any form OF
civilization, even in antagOnism. That the
Indian ia capable of acquiring the arts Of
peace. when long enough under their mild
restraint, is shown by the statistics exhibited
by the Secretary. This officer, encouraged
by the industrial progress made by many
tribes, fayors the policy of gathering all
the remnants of tribal organizations upon
one great Reserve. Leaving out the $4,000
Indians Of Alaska, the Secretary figures
the rest of the aboriginal people in the
Republic at 1851. TO provide for the domcs-
tication of these, he suggests that the Indian
Territory, west Of Missouri and Arkansas, and
south Of Kansas. with an area of 44,tI.24O
acres, would afford $50 acres Of land
Der capita, for the entire number
were an gathered there. This hint is a sug-
gestive ono, especially when we reflect that
such an ingathering Of tribes would release
nearly 900 acres of Land to improve
mcnt and settlement by q white population.
But it must be recollscted that two railroads
now building through the Indian Territory.
are entitled to right Of way through It, and
are asking for o partial throwing open OF the
adjacent lands. Other objections to the plan
will occur to every one. The remaining sug-
gestions of the Secretary. relative to the treat
meut of tho fast-fading Indian races, are clear
and Intelligent. They deserve the thoughtful
attention Of Congress.
The General Land Office has disposed OF
10,6Os,7 92 acres of the public lands. of which
4.60O,B26 acres were patented under the opera
ton of the Homestead Act of 1852. This is q
comparatively small amount, though the total
acreage which has passed out Of the hands OF
the Government Is 2,511,S79 greater than last
year. 1t is evident that the demand for lands
Immediately. available for settlement is trans
ferred FROM the Land Office to the railroad
corporations. Considerable prominence is giver
TO the condition Of affairs in California, Colo
RADIO. Arizona, and New-Mexico, where tn,
General Government. as well as the settler
is embarrassed by the multiplicity of privat,
claims which cover the country. These ar
incidental to tho Spanish occupation o
the region now embraced in the Terri
tories. though California claims are now re
duced to something like an orderly settlement
But the Spanish land grants. which hav
cost Government and citizens 30 dearly
are becoming fruitful source of litigation il
tho other sections named The Commissi0n
er's plan for dmplifcation Of the Land laws
consolidating Homestead and Presumption law
in one. aud assimilating Agricultural COlleg
scrip and military land warrants in another
will commend itself to the good sense OF
Congress.
Pensions and their disposal occupy mucl
space in the Secrctary's report, and thongl
there ia a vide spread suspicion that there ha
been much imposition in this branch Of tn
public service, tho people who remember gratc
fully the defenders of the country will not to-
closely scrutinize tho pension rolls The mum
her now bornu on these is largc-207. 4o5-bu
this includes all classes. The total cost I" the
country i, now t@,2Di09i. md there ~ 10
~ IN ~ % unnIlu,,nl lnlDl.. ID NM ..tl.