The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-12-11
WASHINGTON.
PROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.


WAsHINGroN, D. G., Dec. 4, 1880.
The report of the Secretary of the Interior,
which has just been made public is a docu-
meat of great interest in respect to matters
of national importance. The most lmpor-
tant topic of general interest is, of course
the Indian question. The central idea of
the Secretary's policy is the abandonment
Of the reservation system and the granting
efseveralty titles to the Indians, inaiienable
for about one generation. The four years of
his administration have been marked by
noteworthy progress in the education of In
diuns at a distance from the camps, the ex-
tension Of law over the Indian reservations
aud the training of Indians in various trades
and as policemen and as freighters. The
Secretary predicts from present indications,
that the Indian problem will be solved
sooner than is generally supposed. The |
consolidation OF the geological surveys, the
reorganization Of the land system, the pre-
vention Of speculative depredations on tim
Der lands, as fal-us the appropriations would |
permit, an increase OF working efficiency |
and an improvement in the moral tone in |
the department have been effected in the |
last four year years.
According TO the report Of the Postmaster
General, there are G0,4TD employees in the
Post Office Department. In other words,
the Post-O Office army is more than twice as
large as the army proper. And where one
person thinks of the soldier, ten persons
think of the postman. The complete change
wrought by modern civilization in the
modes of regarding social functions has no
more striking illustration than is afforded
by the growth of the postal service and the
respect with which it is regarded.
Superintendent of the Census, Walker has
submitted his annual report to the Secretary
of the Interior. He says that although the
work of taking the tenth census is substan-
TALLY complete (returns having been receiv-
ed from all but seven of the total number
of 81 1855 enumeration districts), it will pro-
badly be two or three weeks before the Office
the population Of the country. During the
month of December tables will be submitted
exhibiting the population of each state and
county in the United States, distinguished
as native or foreign, white or colored, male
or female. The accounts of 2S,4lO enumer-
stors have already been settled, involving a
total ofeXpenditure ofupwards OF 81 500, 900.
Only about 200 accounts remain uuudjust-
ed, and there is "no reason TO doubt that the
month OF December will see all the enume-
rators paid for their services, except only in
cases where a suspension is required for
reasons unmistakably connected with some
fault, more or less serious, on the part of the
enumerator himself.
1t has been suggested informally by some
of the Democratic members of the next
House, who are in town, that their party
can retain its control Of the House Of Rep
resentatives by forming a coalition with the
greenbackers, and i. is said that movements
haYe already been instituted with that end
in view. 1t is not believed, however, that
any influential portion of the democratic
membership of the next House would favor
such proposition, and even if democratic
consent was obtained it is extremely doubt
ful whether sufficient number of green
hackers 10 control the House could be in
duced to enter the alliance, as probably one
half of them are out and out Republicans.
With reference TO the appointment of
eaiel signal officer land there now seems l.
be some doubt as to the coming mani,
will not in the least interfere with the pro
jcets Of scientists, who are determined I
carry the matter 10 Congress. 1t is quit
generally understood now that these gentle
men failed 10 secure the cooperation of ID
President ia the matter Of transferring
scientific control the meteorological branc
OF the service; aud it is their present inter
tion To have bill introduced early in the Sc
sion which will secure to them the muc
coveted prize. The bill will meet vii
much opposition.
The National Grange has declared in fay
Of elevating the head Of the Agricultur
DEPARTMENT 70 the dignity Of a Cabinet U
fcer, and the members OF Congress who IL
In agricultural districts may be depend'
upon 10 argue the matter at the coming 81
sion. There il a bill pending for this pu
pose ia the House, but there will not
time, perhaps. 10 push It 10 q conclusion III
winter, but the agricultural interests "
doubtless urge the question in the next Go
gress. Auousr'
orr SPECIAL LETTER.
WAsHlSGr0S, d. C. Dec, Z, 1850.
For the next Congress the returns from /