Sacramento daily record-union., 1880-12-07
INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
Synopsis Of the Annual Report of Secre-
tary Schurz
By Telegraph

| Synopsis Of the Annual Report of secre-
tary schurz.
IBy Telegraph
WASHINGTON, December 2d.-Secretary
Schurz, in his report on Indian Affairs,
says experience has strengthened his con-
viction that the management of Indian
affairs should continue to be intrusted to
the civic and not the military authorities.
His arguments on this topic have been
fully foreshadowed in former annual re-
ports. He again quotes with emphasis the
conclusion of the report of the Peace Com
mission of 1878, signed by Generals Sher-
man, Harney, Kerry and Auguer, in which
these distinguished officers of the army
said, among other things to the same pur-
port: If we intend to have war with the
Indians, the Indian Bureau should 90 to
the Secretary of War. If We intend to
have peace it should be in the civil depart
ment. l desire to say that it has not
been the purpose of this department under
my administration, while ordering all un-
necessary outlays of money. to cut down
expenses merely for the purpose OF making
striking exhibition of economy. The
history of Indian affairs shows that ILL
serious trouble and very costly complica-
tions. | am now convinced that gener.
GUS appropriation for agricultural imple-
ments, for stock and cattle, to be distrib-
uted among the Indians, and for educa-
tional facilities made at the time when the
temper OF our whole Indian population is
such as to receive such aid in the right
spirit, would be judicious. The case of
the Poncas receives minute attention.
Looking at the present condition of things,
it may be said without exaegeration that
on the whole the Indian situation Is now
more hopeful than ever before. The de-
sire of the Indians to maintain friendly re-
lations with their white neighbors, to go to
work for their own support, to cultivate
the soil, to acquire permanent homes, to
have their CHILDREN educated, and to asslm
ilate themselves to the civilization of the
country, is growing stronger and more
general every day.
THE BIG TREES.
He again calls attention to the fact that
the waste aud destruction of the redwood
and big trees of California have been and
continue to be so great as to cause the ap-
prehenson that in the course of few
years these magnificent species may entirely
| disappear unless some measures are taken
to preserve at least portion of them, and
he renews his recommendation of last year
that the President be authorized to with
| draw from sale or other disposition an area
| at least equal to township in the coast
| range in the northern, and an equal erea in
the southern part of California, upon which
these interesting trees grow. lie remarks
| thst the bill introduced in Congress to ac-
complish this object has not yet been acted
| on, and adds 1t seems important that il
any measure for the preservation OF these
species of trees is to be taken at all, ii
should be done as soon as possible.
| therefore once more commend this subject
to the attention of Congress. The Secre-
| tary also renews his last years recommen.
dation for the enactment of Senator Ed
munds' bill to provide for the settlement oi
PRIVATE LAND CLAIMS
In all the territory derived from Mexico,
except California. He says, with references
to the Public Lands Commission, the bill
now pending in Congress The import.
ance of the passage OF this or some similar
bill by Congress cannot be overestimated.
Existing laws for the survey and disposal
of the public domain were enacted mainly
while the Government was disposing of the
public lands east of the Missouri river.
| The climate, soil and products OF the land
west Of the one hundredth meridian are sc
entirely different from those east of it as tC
require legislation specially applying there
| to. Early action upon this bill is urgently
demanded by the public interests. As the
settlement OF our Western Territories pro-
crosses, I beg tha. the attention of Con
eress be invited to this important subject
The main features OF legislation urged by
Secretary Schurz for the protection of Gov.
ernment timber and the
PRESERVATION or TIE FORESTS
| OF The country are the following: First,
that the Government should be authorized
to sell timber from the lands principally
valuable for the timber growing on them,
that is to say, not suited to agricultural oil
mineral purposes, at q reasonable price above
the nominal rates to supply all domestic
needs and all wants of local business en-
terprises, as we'll as of commerce ; the lat
ter SO far as compatible with the public
| interests. Secondly, that these sales o.
public timber be 80 regulated as to preserve
the necessary proportion of the forests or
public lands from waste and indiscriminatt
destruction. Such a policy can, in hi'
opinioa,, be carried ont without great cost
and in perfect justiceto tbesettlers and busi
ness enterprises of the country. 1t il
virtually the policy proposed by ths
Public Lands Commission in their re
port, and the bill submitted to Congress al
its last session. He again urges the enact
ment of law prescribing severe penalties
for willful negligence or carelessness IL
setting of fires upon public lands and pro
viding for the recovery of damages sls
tained. He also recommends liberal ap
preparation for the extension of a geo.
graphical survey all over the United States
He recommends that four new Government
buildings, of adequate size, be erected Oh
the three blocks surrounding Lafayette
Square, opposite the Executive Mansion,
for the Interior Department. The report
also contains a synopsis Of reports fur
nishe1 under special instructions OF the
Department by the Government OF the
various Territories, setting forth their ma
terial resources and their respective attrac
r