Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-12-02

v
with the encrOachment OF civilization upon
the Indian reservations ana hunting GROUNDS
disturbances have taken place between the Iu-
disps ard whites during the past year aud prob
ably will continue to d. - until each race ap-
Preciates that the other has rights which mus.
be respected.
The policy has been 70 collect the Indians, As
rapidly as possible, on reservations, and g. Ear
as practicable within Whist j. known ~ the In
dian Territory. and 20 teach them the arts Of
civilization and self-support. Where found OF
their reservations and endangering the peace
and safety OF the whites they have been punish
ed ard will continue 20 be, for like OfienceI
The Indian Territory, south Of Kansas ami
west OF Arkansas, Is sufficient IN area ana sgri-
cultural resources to support all the Indian east
of the Rocky Mountains. In time, no doubt all
OF them, except Few who may select TO mako
their homes among white people, will be col
lected there. As preparatory step for this
consummatlon, am now satisfied that A terri
torisl form Of government should be given them
which will secure the treaty rights OF the origi-
nal settlers, and protect their hOmesteads from
alienS ton for period of twenty years.
The operations Of the Patent ONCE are grow
ing 10 such magnitude, and the accumulation
of material is becoming so great thai the neces
sity for more room is becoming more obvious
day by day 1 respectfully invite your atten-
ton TO the reports of the Secretary of the In
terror and Commissioner Of Patents on this sub
iect.
The business of the General Land oaice ex-
hibits material increase in all its branches
during the last fiscal year. During that time
there were disposed Of out of the public lands
1889 06 acres, being an amount greater by
LIES, 6Sl acres than was disposed of during the
preceding year. OF the amount disposed Of
,626,266 acres were sold for cash; 2i4.94o acres
were located with military land warrants; B
1852 acres we're taken for homesteads; 49,
ii6 acres we're located with Agricultural Col
ege scrip; cos ,63i acres were certified by rail-
roads; 16,5,6 acres were gEanted 10 wag0n-rOsds,
23s as acres were approved to States as swamp
lands; 13s .6Sl acres we're certified for Agricul-
tuTal colleges, common schools universities and
semln arles; 100. acres were spproyedto States
for internal improvements, and II ,s,2 acres
were located with Indian scrip. The cash re-
ceipts during the same time were o. ,iOS $3.50,
being Sl.n 1880 in excess OF the receipts of the
previous year. During the wear 80 ass 1872 acres
of public land were surveyed, an increase over
the amount surveyed the previous wear OF
1857 ,lS3 acres, and added 10 the area previously
surveyed aEgre gates Gle 554 ,sg5 acres which have
been surveyed, leaving ,2lS AS sos acres OF the
public land still unsurveyed.
The increased and steadily increasing rasilt-
ties for reaching our unOccupied public dom ain
and for the transportation OF surplus products
enlarges the available field for desirable home
stead locations, thus stimulating settlement
and extending year by year in gradually in
ereasing ratio the area Of occupation and cult
walton.
The expressed desire OF the representatives.
Of large colony of citizens Of Russia TO emf
CRATE to this country, a. IL understood. with the
consent Of their Government, # certain con,
cessIons can be made to enable them to settle
in compact colsny, is OF great interest, a. GO
ing 10 show the light in which our institutions
are regarded by an industrious, intelligent and
wealthy people, DESTROYS of enjoying civil aud
religious liberty, and the acquisition of large
an immigration OF citizens of q superior class
would, without doubt, be OF substantial benefit
10 the cOuntTp. | invite attention to the sug-
gestion If the Secretary OF the Interior in this
behalf.
There was paid during the last fiscal year Tor
pensions, including the expenses OF djsburse
ment, SO 10 2s9.62, being an amount less. by
~9s4 ,050.9s than was expended for the same puT
pose the preceding year. Although This
statement of expenditures would indi-
cate material reduction in amour
compared with the preceding wear. II is
believed that the changes in the pension
laws at the last session OF Congress will absorb
that amount the current year. As the close Of
the last fiscal year there were on the pension
rolls % S0i invalid military pensioners and IL
0SS widows, orphans, and dependent relations of
deceased Folders, making total of that
class of 2ll ,SS2; 1896 survivors of the war
of 1872, and 5,O53 widows OF soldiers of that war
pensioned under the act OF Congress OF Feb
ruary II, lsI ], making total OF that class OF
1888 l,ijO invalid navy pensioners, and 40
widows, orphans, and dependent relatives OF
deceased officers, sailors, and marines of tie
navy, making total of navy pensioners Of
5000. and a grand total OF pensioners Of all
classes of 23S,4ll, showing a net increase during
the last fiscal year of G,lS2. During the last
year the names of i6.4O5 pensioners were afdeI
20 the rolls, and 10, Dds names were dropped
therefrOm for various causes.
The system adopted tor the detection of
frauds against the Government IN the matter
Of pensions has been productive of satisfactory
O.
possible, against the preparation OF such frauds
in future.
The evidently increasing interest in the cause
of education is a most encouraging feature IN
the general progress and prosperity of the
country, and the Bureau OF Education is earn
est in its efforts TO give proper direction to the
new appliances and the increased facilities
which are being offered to aid the educators OF
the country in their great work.
The ninth census has been completed, and
the report thereof published and distribu'el,
and the working force OF the bureau disbandel
The Secretary of the Interior renews his recon-
mendation for census TO be taken in 1875, 20
which subject the attention OF Congress is in
vited. The original suggestion in that behalf
has met with the general approval of the coun-
try, and eyenif it be not deemed advisable at
present to provide for a regular quinq
census, census taken i'm 1875, the report o.
which could be completed and published before
the one hundredth anniversary OF our national
independence, would be especially interesting
and valuable, as showing the progress OF the
country during the first century of our national
existence. 1t is believed, however, that a re-
gulsr census every five years would be OF sub
stantal benefit TO the country, inasmuch as our
growth hitherto has been so rapid that the re-
suits of the decennial census are necessarily I'M
reliable as basis of estimates for the latter
years Of decennisl period.
DISTRICT OF CoLUNEIA
nder the very efficient management OF the
Governor and Board of Public Works Of this
District the city or Washington is rapidly as
Stunning the appearance of a capital of which
the nation may well be proud. From being a
most unsghtly place three years ago, disagree
able TO pass through in summer in Consequence
Of the dust arising from unpaved streets, ami
almost impossible in the winter from the mud,
IT is now one OF the most slightly cities in the
country, and can boast of beng the best paved.
The work has been done systematically. the
plans, grades, location of sewers, water aud
gas mans being determined upon before the
work was commenced, thus securing pe-ma-
nency when completed. 1 question whether so
much has ever been accomplished before, in
any American city, for the same expenditures.
The government having large reservations in
the city, and the nation at large having an
interest in their capital, recommend a libe-
raj policy towards the District of Columbia
and that the government should bear its Just
share of the expense of these improvements.
Every citizen visiting the capital feels pride
in its growing beauty, and that he, toe, is part
owner in the Investments made here.
would suggest TO Congress the propriety of
promoting the establishment in this District of
an Institution of learning, or University, of the
highest class, by the donation of lands. There
is no place better suited for such an Institution
than the national capital. There Is no other
place in which every citizen is SO directly inter
ested.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.