Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1873-12-11

AT early day, and that legislation be
directed, far practicable, 10 the defeat of un
founded and unjust demands upon the Govern
ment; and would suggest, as means of prevent
ing fraud, that witnesses be called upon to appear
in person TO testify before these tribunals having
said claims before them for adjudication.
Probably the largest saving TO the National
Treasury can be secured by timely legislation on
these subjects, of any OF the economic measures
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
IOu Will he advised of the operations OF the De
parment Of Justice by the report of the Attorney
General, and invite your attention 10 the amend
ments of existing laws suggested by him, with the
view of reducing the expenses OF that depart
ment,
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
The policy lnauguratSd toward the Indians at the
beginning of the last Administration has been
steadily pushed, and, believe, with beneficial re-
suits. Ii viii be continued with only such modif-
cation as time and experience may demonstrate
necessary. With the encroachments of civilization
upon the Indian reservations and hunting grounds
disturbances have taken place between the Indians
continue to do so until each race
appreciates that the other has rights which
must he respected. The policy has been to
collect the Indians as rapidly possible on rescr
yatiOns, aud. as far practicable, within what is
known a. the Indian Territory, and to teach them
the arts Of civilization and self'support. When
ever found of their reservations and en-
d9ngering The peace and safety of the
whites, they have been punished,
and will continue 70 be for like ofenses The
Indian Territory, south OF Kansas and west of
Arkansas. Is sufficient in area and agricultural re-
sources TO support all the Indians OF the Rocky
mountains. In time no doubt all of them except
few who may select to make their homes among
white people, viii be collected there. As pre-
paratory step for this consummation, | now
satisfied that territorial form of government
should be given them, which will secure the treaty
rights OF the original settlers and protect their
homesteads from alienation for period of twenty
years
PATENT OFFICE
The operations Of the Patent Office growing
to such magnitude, and the accumulation of ma
teral is becoming so great, that the necessity for
more room !: becoming obvious day by day. |
respectfully invite your attention to the reports of
the Secretary Of the Interior and Commissioner
Of Patents on this subject.
GENERAL LAND OFFICE.
The business of the General Land Office exhibits
n material increase in all its branches during the
last fiscal year During that time there were dis
posed Of out Of the public lands, 130396 coo acres,
being amount greater by 1855, 63l acres than
the amount disposed of, l626,266 acres
were sold for cash; 2l4,940 acres were
located with military land warrants; 3,g3,-
tl2 acres were taken for homesteads; 653,.
4i6 acres were located with agricultural
college scrip; d,oo3636 acres were certified by rail
roads: i65,756 were granted to wagon roads;
23S,5iS acres approved to States swamp !
lands; 1865 acres certified for agricultural
colleges common schools universities and semi |
nares: 1910 acres were approved to States for
internal improvements, and 14,222 acres were
located with indian scrip. The cash receipts |
during the time were S340S, 1880, be- !
ing Sl904l550 in excess of the receipts for
the previous year. During the year 30,4SS132
acres OF public land were surveyed, an increase of
the amount surveyed the previous year of 103 1913
acres, and added 10 the previously surveyed,
aggregating 6l6554 S35 acres which have been sur
yeyed, leaving l,2ls,4l3,5O5 acres of the public
steadily increasing facilities for reach
ing our uoccupied public domain and
for the transportation of surplus pro-
ducts euIarges the available field for desirable
homestead locations, thus stimulating settlement
and extending year by year, in gradually ncreas-
ing ratio, the area Of occupation and cultivation.
The expressed desire of the representatives OF
large colony Of citizens of Russia to cmigrate 10 this
country is understood, with the consent of their
Government if certain concessions can be made
to enable them 10 settle in compact colony Is OF
great interest a. going 10 show the light in which
our institutions regarded by an industrious, in
tellgeut and wealthy people desirous OF enjoying
Cyiland religious liberty. and the acquisition of so
large an immigration of citizens, of y superior
class would. without doubt, be OF such substan-
tia benefit 10 the country, that invite your atten-
ton to the suggestion of the Secretary of the In
terror IL this behalf.
PENSIONS.
There was paid during the last fiscal year for
pensions including the expenses of disbursement,
S29ls5 2.a 81, being amount less by 1854 05O9S
than was expended for the same purpose the pre-
ceding year. Although this statement of eXpen-
dtures would indicate a material reduction in |
the amount compared with the preceding |
year, IL If believed that the changes in |
the pension laws made at the last session OF
Congress VIII absorb that amount the current year
At the close Of the last fiscal year there were on
the pension rolls !@o4 invalid military pensioners
and l12,0SS widows, orphans and dependent |
widows of deceased soldiers, making ;oial of |
that class Of 2l1 S2: 2b6 survivors of the war Of
1872, and 5,U53 widows of soldiers of that |
war pensloned under the act Of Congress of
February u 1871, making total of that |
class Of $3.50; ,430 invalid navy pension |
ers. and 10 widows and orphans and dependent |
relatives Of deceased officers, sailors and ines |
of the navy pensioners, making tota! OF 200;
total of pensioners OF all classes 23S,4ll show. |
ing a net increase during the last fiscal year of |
6,2lS. The names Of 1,645 pensioners We're added |
to the rolls and 10 223 names dropped there |
for the detection of frauds against |
the Government IN the matter OF
suits, but legislation is needed to provide, if pos |
sible against the perpetrating Of such frauds in
future.
EDUCATION.
The evidently increasing interest in the cause of
education il most encouraging feature in the |
general progress Of the country, and the Bureau OF
Education Is in earnest in its efforts to give proper
facilities which are being offered to aid the educa-
tors Of the country in their great work.
THE CENSUS.
The ninth census has been completed, the report |
thereof published and distributed aud the working
force of the bureau disbanded. The Secretary OF
the Interior rencws his recommendation for cen
TO he taken in 1872 to which subject the atten-
ton of Congress + invited The original sugges-
ton IL that behalf has met with the gen
era approval Of the country, and, even
il il be not deemed advisable at present to pro
. vide for regular quinqucnntal census, census
taken in 1875 the report of which could be COM
pleed and published before the Tooth anniversary
of our national Independence, would be especial
Nv interesting and valuable, as showing the prog
ress of the country during the first century OF our
national existence II is believed, however, that
a regular census every five years would pc OF
substantial benefit 20 the country inasmuch as
our growth hitherto has been so rapid that the re-
suit, OF the dccennal census necessarily I'M
reliable as basis OF estimates for the latter years
of the deCenual period.
THE Ma. IONAL CAPITAL
Under the very efficient management OF
the Governor and the Board of Public
Works OF this district, the city OF wash
ipgton il RAPIDLY assuming the appearance Of a
capital OF which the nation may well be proud.