Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1885-12-17
NORTHWEST
Secretary Lamar's Report.

It has often been said that the In
terror Department is an empire in it.
self, and the remark is not extravagant.
Tie wide range to topics covered by
Secretary Lamar's report makes general
Comment on II impossible. The in
terests of Indian tribes and nations and
the conduct of the Government Hospi-
tel for the Insane; the condition of all
the Territories and of the Hot Springs
OF Arkansas; the finances of the Parlfic
railroads and the education of the deaf,
dumb and blind; the pension roll and
the Yellowstone Park; the Patent office,
the Freetlmen's Hospital and dozen
other large and small interests, all come
within the purview of this report.
But the spiritwhich Secretary Lamar
brings To the care Of these varied in
tprests can be shown in few words of
his own Concerning pensions, for in
stsiice, he says: Know of no burden
of government that is more cheerfuly
borne thar that of the pension system.
I coilcur fully in all eff,rts to demon
strste that when we'll and cIeanly ad-
nifiiistpred it is noble in its purpose
aiiti gmpl in its results. From state
nient in the report Of the Commits
si8ner it appears that the amount Of
money paid AZ pensions dies not equal
the amount Of Interest paid upon the
public 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 coun-
try think the complaint of excessive
pensions is not well founded.n
Pensioners need not fear the Southern
man ut the head of the Interior Depart
mpnt who speaks in this language of
the dutyo of the country to them. The
friends of the Indian will he no less
pleased by what the Secretary says Of
Indian educatioD:-"I think the policy
of securing the cooperation of those
religious and philanthropic societies
which have for so many years labOred
for the anelioration of the condition of
the Indians should be continued. They
have expended within the last few
years in money alone millions of dol
lars, and experience has shown the
benefits Of their aid and assistance. /
desire here to acknowledge my own
obligations to these associations for
their co-operatiOn, and also my high
appreciation of the aid have derived
from the counseIs and sympathy of
those Christian ministers who. in the
spirit of their Divine Master, are devot-
ing themselves to the best aud highest
interests of this unfortunate and, in
some respects, noble race.n
BY the way, the Indians seem to be
on the whole the wealthiest body of
people in this country. There are, Mr..
Lamar reports, 260.000 of them--men,
women and children-an they own,
In lands and trust funds, $l52, ,000. 900 Of
property. The Secretary's comment
upon this remarkable text deserves the
attention of Congress and of the friends
Of the Indian. Possibly also the
owners and managers of land grant
railroads will find something of interest
IN Mr.. Lamar's suggestion that "the
field of future investigation might well
include how the great franchises grant
cd by the nation are conducted with re-
ference to the convenience, wants and
necessities fthe people whose interests
they were intended to promote. This
broad field would embrace, among
others, rates of fare and freight, dis
ordinations, combinations for the
suppression of legitimate competition
and convenient terminal facilities and
connections. The protection of the
pecuniary interest of the government
in its dealings with these great high
ways is important. But to secure equal
justice to every citizen in his rights
thereunder is vital"
Secretary Lamar's report is proof that
the Interior Department has for its
head an upright. wise and patriotic
man, capable of supervising with firm
hand all the various interests commit
cd to his care, and determined, above
all other things, that justice shalt be
done and the rights of the people rigid
ly guarded. IN. Y. Herald.