Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-12-07

of his department, shows that oil ,271 acres
of
PUBLIC LANDS
were disposed of during the year ending June
80, 1873, being quantity less by 2, AZ, COL 60
acres than that disposed of the preceding
year. The cash receipts were S1,779.6l6.27: a
sum less by $500, 322 % than that received the
previous year. During the year 26O77, ISL Sc
acres were surveyed, making, with the GUAM
tity previously surveyed, $50 ,253 O9i2l acres,
leaving yet TO be surveyed ISL AL, 49, acres
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
The general situation Of the Indian service
may be regarded as encouraging, and pro-
ereSs has been made during the year in per-
fectlng and extending the Indian policy.
Wherever all the elements of success have
been available, the result has clearly vindi-
Gated the prOprfety and efficiency of that
policy in the increased interest taken by
both agents and Indians in the acquisition
of industrial pursuits, and in the increase
or peaceful disposition toward the whites.
AT the important agencies OF Red Cloud and
Spotted Tail, in the Dakota, or Sioux Ma
lion, however, one OF the principal elements
OF success-a productive SOILS wanting,
and no progress has been made, and none
can be expected, while the present conditions
by which they are surrounded snail remain.
inc problem OF how to deal with these In
dams seems as far from solution as ever
and. in fact, Ii has been still further conpli.
Gated the present year by the discovery of
gold in the Black Hills and the emigration
of large numbers of miners thither. The re-
commentator by the Commissioner that
the two agencies above mentioned be re-
unqualified approval.
THE BLACK HILLS.
The failure of the negotiations for the re-
Inqushment of the Black Hills necessltates
the adoption of some measures to relieve the
department of the great embarrassment re-
sulting from the evident determine ton of a
large number of citizens to enter upon that
portion OF the Sioux reservation to obtain
the precious metals which the official report
OF the geologist sent out by the department
shows to exist therein.
TuliQnc %knt
reservation under the provisions of a treaty
with the United States. But for two years
the government has been appropriating
about one and one-quarter millions of dol
lars for the subsistence of the Sioux of
various tribes, which amount is a eratuity
that the government Is under no legal obli-
CATION to give them, and fol which il re-
ceives no compensating advantage. 1t is
submitted, therefore, under these circum-
stances, for the consideration of Congress,
whether it would not be justifable and
proper to make future appropriations for
supplies to this people contingent on their
REIMBURSEMENT OF the gold fields in the Black
Hills, and the right of way thereto.
ARMY OFFICERS FOR INDIAN SERVICE.
The Commissioner promises a special re-
port on the condition of affairs in the Indian
territory as soon as the investigation he has
ordered there is concluded, and says: at
would be beneficial to the Indian service, in
my opinion, and would tend to promote its
of army officers for civil service were SO far
modified as TO allow their employment in
the Indian service at the discretion OF the
President, i'll case of emergency"
THE PENSION OFFICE.
IT is estimated that the sum Of S1ii 552.Si
was saved to the government during the
year by the exertiOns of the special service
division. The Commissioner recommends
the entire reorganization OF the division,
upon basis similar TO the special service of
and tat anbo a be aiSeG v f ms
appointment of q regular corps of special
agents, AT least 80 in number. Almost the
entire clerical force of the Pension Office is
employed in the Seaton House building, and
all the records and files relating to claims
for pension and bounty-land are stored there
m IN the unsultab o.. OF this building for
deposit for valuable records and files, have
been commented upon at length in the an
nual reports of my immediate predecessor.
mended to bring up the back work.
THE GOVERNMENT INSANE ASYLUM.
20 Ahter que cohsiaetasio on OF Sne question as
be enlarged SO as TO best subserve the welfare
OF its inmates, the board Of managers have
best plan for attaining the object desired
will be to erect a separate building for fe-
male patients. As il is obvious that the
rapidly increasing number of patients In the
at an early day, regard the recommends
tons of the board as worthy of favorable
cost Of the proposed baiiding for o.: female pa.
tients, complete and ready for occupa
ton, is 1895, 900; and the sum OF
100000 is now asked for, In order that
its erection may be commenced at once.
1t is proposed by the board to erect the de-
partment for women on the farm of 175
acres lying on the east side OF the public road
which runs through the hospital grounds, re-
linquishing the present buildings, surround
ed by 1S5 acres OF land, and having a water
front for fishing, boating and bathing, to tae
exclusive use of the men.
DEAF AND DUMB ASYLUM.
The estimates submitted for the next fiscal
year are as follows: For the support of the
institution, 81 coo; for continuing the cree
ton and fitting up of buildings, S6O. 900; for
the Enclosure, Improvement, ami care of the
grounds OF the institution, SO 600; and for
the necessary repairs of buildings already
completed, 50 ,0co; In all, $40 900.
COLUMBIA HOSPITAL FOB WOMEN.
The estimates for the next fiscal year are
as follows: For the support Of the fnstitu-
tioz, over and above the probable amount to
be received from pay-patieuts, sef3o0, and
for new roof to the buildidg, 6, 500-a total
OF $50, 500.
ADDITIONAL ROOM
/ desire to renew the recommendation
made by several OF my predecessors ia re-
gard to the urgent need CT more room than