Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-07
INTERIOR DEPARTMENT AFFAIRS
Secretary Lamar Discusses the Indian
Question and Other Subjects which
Come Under His Supervision.

Secretary lamar in his annual report of the
affairs under the direction of the Interior de-
partment, gives a very interesting sketch ofthe
method of governing the Indians. and states
that while the results are not commensurate
with the efforts and expenditures made, yet
there has been good order and considerable
progress among these people. After dwelling
upon the claims OF these first possessors OF the
soil for the protection and support of the gov
ernment he recommends as a measure OF wise
policy that a portion of every reservation be
divided up into separate tracts of suitable size
for farms to be allotted to each individual
his sole and separate estate. Until after a time
limited provision should be made against mort
gaging or selling the land de renews the
the existing reservation be reduced TO a size i'm
proportion to the number of the Indians
thereon upon just and fair terms.
PROPOSED COMMISSION ON INDIAN AFFAIRS.
He further suggests that in order to secure
for the department intelligent and accurate in
formation In regard to the Indians that com.
mission consisting of six men, three selected
from army officers and three from civil life, be
appointed to visit each of the reservations and
investigate and report upon the condition. pc
culiar circumstances and needs of the Indians
residing thereon. In order to counteract the
evil influences of the "squaw men," the Secre-
tary suggests that a law be passed providing
that any Indian woman who shall marry "a
citizen of the United States shall be deemed n
citizen. and also the issue OF such a marriage.
He thinks that the policy OF securing the CO.
operation of the religious and philanthropic
societies in working for the benefit of the In
dans should be continued. The Indian schools
have cost during the year SSS1,210. In regard
to the leasing of Indian lands for grazing pur-
poses, the Secretary said it should be done, IL
at all. under proper regulations, but with his
convictions he cannot recommend such legisla-
ton.
THE PUBLIC LANDS SLIPPING AWAY.
The total receipts from sales of public and
Indian lands during the fiscal year have been
SS,619,59S.32. Excluding Alaska, about three
fifths of the public domain has passed out of
the ownership of the government. The remain
ing twO-fifths embrace a very large proportion
OF desert and mountain lands united for habi-
tation. The report submits a draft OF bill to
protect the timber public lands. He recon-
mends that salary instead of fees be substi-
tuted for the compensation OF officers of the
OF illegally fencing the public lands is being
broken up. He recommends the appointment
OF two general land agents for the department
at n salary of $4,000 per year, with travelling
expenses, who will have supervision over the
local land offices and the enforcement of the
laws.
THE PENSION BUILDING.
He endorses the recommendation of the CON-
missioner OF pensions relative to the formation of
new divisions and the increase of pay 10 the
chiefs. LIN regard to the new Pension building the
report says: ut is probable that some further
grant OF funds will be needed to erect the gates,
close the cellar windows, plaster and decorate
the hall walls. and to lay down permanent floor
in the halls and galleries, in which wooden
1loorlng does not long endure the wear made
by constant tramping of persons and trundling
TO and fro of heavy articles"
PATENTS. THE CENSUS ETC.
The Secretary endorses the recommendation
of the commissioner of patents i'm his request
fer an addition to the clerical force Of that
office and an increase i'm their salaries.
He fayorS the extension of the geological sur
vey over the entire country as tending to de-
veiop knowledge OF the resources OF the
country upon which mining enterprises are
based.
The renewal of the appropriation for the pay
ment of the salaries of the five persons now
engaged in completing the census is recon-
mended.
MATTERS OF DISTRICT INTEREST.
The recommendation contained in the reports
of the architect of the Capitol, the surgeon in
charge of the Freedmen's hospital, the superin-
tendent of the government insane asylum and
the Columbia institution for the deaf and
dumb as HERETOFORE printed i'm THE STAR, are
Incorporated In the Seeretary's report: The
gresS for the purchase of site in the vicinity OF
the Government printing Office for the erection
reason that the ground selected, fronting "a
feet on G street, with depth of 115i4 feet,
which the public printer considered suitable,
was held at SS,327.60 and the plans for the
building prepared by the architect of the Capt.
tol, involved an expenditure of $4,000. This
would be in excess OF the appropriation, and for
this reason the Secretary is awaiting the action
OF Congress-.
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY.
The Secretary's report closes with q consider
alton of the report of the commissioner of edu-
cation. Referring to national university, as
proposed by Mr.. jefferson while President, Mr..
Lamar says that if all the various commissions,
bureaus and divisions of the executive depart
ments at Washington which have for their
object the prosecution of scientific research
could be combined integral parts OF one
scientific institution such institution would be
be of greater proportions and more compre-
hensive than any other in the world, and
should university be erected thereon, with a
superstructure commensurate with the founda-
ton, it would be without a rival in any country.
Defending the Appropriations Com
mittee.
REPRESENTATIVES, RANDALL EXPRESSES HIS
VIEWS AGAINST A PROPOSED CHANGE OF THE
HOUSE RULES.
Representative Randall has expressed his
views concerning the proposed change OF the
rules of the House. He says that to distribute
the appropriation bills among several commit
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