Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-12-04
nennrlmen, Renorls.


The secretary OF the interior represents that
substantial reforms have been made in all the
bureaus OF his department, and they are all now
in excellent condition. The work of the Indian
office is reviewed with satisfaction. Industrial
progress and settlement have been less impeded
than in former years; many Of the causes
which excited Indian hostilities have ceased TO
exist. The Indians are becoming convinced o.
the good faith of the government, and they
manifest disposition TO respond in similar good
faith and good will. The policy of combining
the wild tribes to smaller reservations should be
continued and extended. Their practice of
roaming over large reservations in pursuit of
game tends TO perpetuate their savage habits, and
should be discouraged, and on this account the
secretary regards the gradual disappearance OF
game from their former hunting grounds with
eomplacency. He advises the organization of a
territorial government in the Indian territory
south of Kansas, as a measure which will pro-
mote the interests both of Indians and whites.
The management of the land office has been
efficient and successful; the averages of the
past years have been brought up, and the cur
rent business promptly transacted. Needed
reforms have been made in the condition of the
patent office, among the most noteworthy of
which is the abolition of the old form of patent
Office reports, published two or three years af-
Ter the date of the patents recorded in them,
and the substitution Of the official Gazette Of
the patent Office, which contains much more
matter of general interest, and is issued
within three days Of the delivery of let
tiers patent. The number of patents is
sued during the year was 1896,
slight increase over the business of last year
The work of the office has outgrown the plan
originally established, and new organization
is needed to make it as valuable as it should be
10 inventors and the country. More room is
also needed for its work. We have previously
given, from the report Of the commissioner Of
PENSIONS some statistics Of the work of his
Office during the year, and there is nothing in
the secretary's report relating to that bureau
which requires further notice. The industry
zeal and efficiency of the commissioner of edu-
cation are highly praised, and increased appro-
priations for the work Of bis Office are advised.
The secretary also commends 10 the favorable
attention Of congress Mr.. Hoar's education bill
The secretary commends the promptness and
ability Of the superintendent of the ninth CEN
aus in completing bis work sooner than former
oincers have been able to do il. The
maps and charts accompanying the quarto vol
nmes are believed to be valuable addition 10
The work. The secretary recommends further
appropriation for preparing statistical atlas of
the United States, based upon the results Of the
ninth census, for distribution TO public libraries
aud other Institutions Of learning. The reoloo
ical surveys Of the territories have been eon,in.
ned with success and with valuable results.
Statistics are given Of the operations Of the
numerous land grant railroads, which have no
special novelty or interest TO the general public
aud the report closes With review Of the yari.
Gus institutions Of the district Of Columbia, Of
which the department has more or less exteu
eiye duties Of superintendente
The report Of The secretary Of war states that
the expenditures OF tie department during the
past year have been s85S12,i5O, showing re.
duciion Of something less than half million