Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-12-15

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Thus far the effort to protect the treaty rights Of
the Indians Of that section has been successful,
but the next year viii certainly witness large in
tie renqlshnaent Of the gold fields having failed,
it will be necessary for Congress to adopt some
measures to relieve the embarrassment growing out
of the cause named. The Secretary of the Interior
suggests that the supplies now appropriated for the
sustenance of that people, being longer obliga-
tory under the treaty of 1885, but simply gratuity
may be issued or Withheld at his dircretlon.
THE INDIAN TERRITORY.
The condition of the Indian territory to which
have referred in several of my former annual mes
sages, remains practically unchanged. The Sec-
rotary OF the Interior has taken measures to OBJ
tain full report OF the CONDITION OF that territory
an early day. It may then be necessary to make
some further Recommendation in regard to legis-
lation for the government OF that territory.
THE PATENT OFFICE.
The steady growth and increase of the business
of the Patent Office indicates in some measure, the
prosperity of The country. The receipts of the
office are in excess Of it's expenditures, and the
office generally is in prosperous and satisfactory
condition.
GENERAL LAND OFFICE.
The report of the General Land Office shows that
there were 2,459,601 less disposed of during
thus year than last year. More than one-haf of
this decrease was in land disposed of under the
homestead and number Of culture laws, the
causes of which are supposed to be found in the
grasshopper scourge and the drought which pre-
extensively
and territories during the past year, the cash
ceipts were less by $e,9c0 322.23 than during the
last preceding year. The entire surveyed area of
the public domain is $50, o6,694 acres, of which
,531 acres were surveyed during the past year
leaving Ii, Ill acres still unsurveyed.
The report of the Commissioner presents rlany
sa bssand to dse
portanoe q sshich should insurethe consideration
W oonsfo $751; saA Sss
The number of pensioners still continues to &C.
crease, the highest number having been reached
turing the year endin June so, 1872. During last
year 1857 names we're added to the rolls, and
l2,977 were dropped thArefrom, showing net de-
crease of l,x2O But while the humber of pension
ers has decreased, the annual anounton the PEN
Zion rolls has increased 81 4l3318. This is caused
winch. by the liberal legislation of Congress,
has increased from $9,026l in 1872 to $10,39l
IN 1875. 10 each invalid pensioner an increase
in the average rate of loo per cent in the three
years. During the year ending June 3D. 1875, there
Was paid on account of pensions including expen-
ses Of disbursements s2e,6S3, 49, being $9lo,632
less than was paid the preceding year. This re.
dI.ction in amount of expenditures was produced
by the decrease in the amount of arreGrages due
On allowed claims and on petitions, the rate OF
which increased by legislation of the preceding
sion of Congress. At the close of the fscl year
there were pension rolls 234, S1 persons, of
whom 2l0, 1853 were army pensioners, 1o5 Ats being
inyalids and l04 1856 widows and dependent rela-
tons, 81 20 were raw pensioners, Of whom 1856
were invalids and 174 widows and dependent rela-
tions, 21,0A8 were pensioners CT the war of 1872
widows 1t is estimated that S29 535, 0to will 5e
quired for the payment of pensions for the next
hsosl year, sos 900 less than the estimate for the
present year.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEYS,
The geological explorations have been prosecuted
with energy during the year, covering an area Of
of 900 square miles, in the territories of Colora-
do, Utah and New Mexico, developing agricultural
and mineral resources and furnishing interest from
scientific and Typographical details of that re-
gion.
The method for the treatment of 9 Indians,
adopted at the beginning of my first term has been
steadily pursued, and with satisfactory and en-
ceuraging results 1t has been productive of evi-
and will be continued with only such notifications
as further experience may indicate to be necessary
THE cENTEsN1AL.
The Board heretofore appointed to take charge
of the articles and materials retaining to the War,
the Navy, the treasury, the Interior, and tho Post
Office Departments, and the Department of Agr!
culture, the Smithsonian Institute. and the com
mission OF food fishes, to be contributed, under
the legislation of last session to the international
exhibition to % held at Philadelphia during che
centennial of 1876 has the discharge of the duties
which tave devolved upon it and the proportions
SO far made, with the means at command. give as
hope that the government contribution will be
made one Of the marked characteristics of the
country. The Board has OBJ erved the commenda-
ble economy in the matter Of the erection of a
building for the governmental exhibition, the
pense of WHICH it is estimated will not exceed the
sum of $50, 100. This amount has been withdrawn
from the appropriations of the principal depart
ment, which leaves some of those departments
without sufficient means to enter their respective
exhibits complete and satisfactory. The exhibit
ton being an international one, and the govern
nent being voluntary contributor, it is my opin-
that its contribution should be OF q character
in quality and extent 10 sustain the dignity aud
credit OF so distinguished contributor or advan-
tagsous to the country. ALI uncreditable partici-
patton by the government would be Illuminating to
the patriotism Of our people themselves. COM
mend the estimates of the BOARD for the necessary
additional appropriation TO the favorable consider
The powers Of Europe, almost without excep-
ton, many of the South American States and even
the more distant eastern powers have manifested
their friendly sentiments toward the Un ted States
and the interest of the world in our progress by
taking steps to join with in celebrating the
tennial OF the nation, and strongly recommend
that more national Importance be given to this
hlbition by such legislation and by such appropria
items will insure success. It's value ia bringing
to our shores innumerable useful works of art and
Skill the communing OF citizens of for ign coun-
tries and our own, and the interchange of ioeas
and manufactures. viii far exceed any pecuniary
outlay we may make.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS.
transmit herewith, the report of the Commits
sioner of Agriculture toy ther with the report of
the Commissioner of the Board of Audit, and the
Board of Health of the district of Columbia, to all
of which invite your attention
The Bureau of Agriculture has accomplished
much IN disseminating knowledge to the agricu
turst, and In Introducing ew-and useful products
adapted to cur climate, and is worthy Of the con-
tinued encour agement of the government.
The report of the Commissioner of Education
which accompanies the report OF the Secretary of
the Interior, shows gratifying progress in edu-
catlonal matters.
POLY0AMY.
In nearly every annual message that I have had
the honor of transmitting to Congress have
called attention to the anomalous, not to say
scandalous, condition of affairs existing in the
Territory of Utah, and have asked for definite
legislation to correct it.
That polygamy should exist in free enlighten-
ed and Christian country wi hout power to punish
SO fragrant crime against decency and morality,
seems preposterous. rue there is no law to sus.
tain this unnatural vice, but what is needed is
law to punt b it as crime, and at the same tine