Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-07
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
Annual Report of the Secretary-Indian
Schools, Lands, Etc.

Indian schools, which have capacity for
11,943 children, and which have an aver
age attendance of 8,049 pupils. The schools
cost the government $685., 276 50 per annum.
The civilization attained by the CherO-
KEGS, which is scarcely more advanced
than that of their associated tribes, the
ChOctaws, Chickasaws, Creeks and Semi
nOles. is the highest that any American
tribe OF Indians has attained. To what
ever fact this result is chiefly due, these
Indians have been found ready to improve
these opportunities TO the elevation of
their race. They are leading in the most
distinguished movement toward higher
destiny than any tribe of American Indians
has ever attempted, and their success
will so far encourage other Ind ans to fol-
low their lead that we may hope for the
best results from their more frequent and
intimate association with the five civil
lied tribes.
INDIAN LANDS.
The question as to what is the best and
wise5t course to pursue relative to these
surplus lands in the Indian reservations
not required for the present wants of the
Indians is one demanding careful and Sc
nous consideration.
If the cattlemen are to be permitted to
go upon these reservations, and to hold
ness should be dcne under proper regula-
tions, and in sucn manner as to secure
a fair and just compensation for the priv
ilege.
ESTATE OF THE INDIANS.
The principal possession of these ''do-
nestle dependent nations" with which
this department Is to deal, Is the land
owned by them. But a number of the
tribes have funds invested and other
moneys belonging to them, and have also
annuities secured to them 0y treaty stipu-
lations. Estimating the total area OF their
reservations as given at 81 per acre, the
value OF the estate owned, held and occu-
pied by the Indians is, in round numbers.
$l34000,000. And to this should be added
other invested and uninvested funds
| amounting to 1000, 600, and other lands
on the market, but not yet sold or paid
! for, making a total of $152,000,000 in
round numbers. This does not include
the annuities, nor does it embrace the
value of other property in ponies, sheep,
cattle, industrial implements, etc.
recommend that a portion of every
reservation be divided up into separate
tracts of suitable size for farms, to be
allotted to each individual as mis- sole and
separate estate.
PUBLIC LANDS.
The cash sales Of lands during the year
amounted to 1912 $50 40 acres.
The amount OF lands entered and Sc
lected was 20,113,663.8S acres.
The cash receipts for lands amounted to
SS,619, sos 32.
The total area of surveyed lands up to
June 80, 1885, is 500, 469, 347 80 acres. That
unsurveyed is estimated at $40, 1860, 39O.50
acres.
PENSIONS.
L.,
sioner of Pensions of his report for the
past fiscal year, and his estimates for
the ensuing year, | was startled by the
magnitude OF the sums required. But a
close examination OF the details of the re-
port and estimates showed me that the
amounts asked for were really less bv
$4,000. 900 to So, 100000 than those appro-
priated in one gulse and another for the
past year, and yet amply sufficient to
meet the probable demands of the service.
From a statement in the report of the
Commissioner it appears that the amount
OF money paid as pensions does not equal
the amount of interest paid upon the pub
lie debt incurred during the war. So
long as the premium paid to those who
contributed the money exceeds that paid
to the defenders of the country, [ think
the complaint OF excessive pensions is not
we'll founded.
PATENTS.
The number of patents granted, includ-
ing reissues and designs, during the year
was q, a2S,
The receipts from patents amounted to
I,074,974 35.
EDUCATION.
II the Bureau Of Education is not 20 be
anything else than a beginning and a
nucleus, II it is TO be confined within its
present insignificant scope, and yet be re-
garded as a representative of the nations
thought and action on the general subject
OF education, | am Of the opinion that il
should never have been established and
ought to be abolished.
II the various commissions, bureaus
and divisions Of the Executive Depart
ments at Washington which have for
their object the prosecution of sclen life
research could be combined as integral
parts of one scientific institution, such
an institution would be OF greater proper
ti0ns and more comprehensive than any
other in the world; and should univer-
sity be erected thereon with a superstruc-
ture commemorate with the foundation.
IL would be without r val in any coun-
try. The common school system. designed
TO furnish every citizen with an educa-
ton which ought to De strict necessity
for his daily work of life. consti-
tutes the foundation Of our democracy
But this is not enough to satisfy It's in
stincts. In the history OF nations democ-
racies have been the cradles OF pure
thought and art. The same cause which
operated on them exists IN American
society, and, whether through a national
university or IN fragmentary institutions
in the several States, sooner or later a
higher education. higher than the common
school or the academy or the college can
furnish, Will alone realize and express
the higher aspirations OF American de-
mOcracy.