Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1885-12-17
eureka Dailp Sentinel.
THURSDAY .---pEoEMBE II, 1885.


1t has often been said that the Inte-
rior Department is an empire in itself,
and the remark is not ~extravagsnt. The
wide range of topics covered by Secretary
Lamar's report makes general comment
on it impossible. The interests of In
dian tribes and nations and the conduct
of the Government Hospital for the In
sane, the condition of all the Territories
and of the Hot Springs Of Arkansas; the
finances Of the Pacific railroads and the
education of the deaf, dumb and blind;
the pension roll and the Yellowstone
Park; the Patent Office, the Freedmen's
Hospital and a dozen other large and
small interests, all come within the pur-
view Of this report.
But the spirit which Secretary Lamar
brings to the care of these varied inter-
ests can be shown in a few words of his
own. Concerning pensions, for instance,
he says: 81 know of no burden Of gov
eminent that is more chserfully borne
than that of the pension system. | con-
cur fully in all efforts to demonstrate
that when well and clearly administered
it is noble in its purpose and good in its
results. 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 public debt incurred during
the war. So long as the premium paid
to those who contributed the money ex.
ceeds that paid to the defenders of the
country I think the complaint of excess
sive pensions is not well founded"
Pensioners need not fear the Southern
man at the head Of the Interior Depart
ment who speaks in this language of the
duty OF the country to them. The
friends Of the Indian will be no less
pleased by what the Secretary says OF
Indian education: 81 think the policy of
securing the cooperation Of those reli.
gious and philantrophic societies which
have for so many years labore1 for the
amclioration of The condition of the II.
dams should be continued. They have
expended within the last few years in
money alone millions of dollars, and ex-
p~erience has shown the benefits of their
aid and assistance. | desire here to ac-
knowledge my own obligations to these
associations for their cooperation, and
also my high appreciation of the aid l
have derived from the counsels and sym
pathy OF those Christian ministers who,
in the spirit of their Divine Master, are
devoting themselves to the best and high
est interests of this unfortunate, and in
some respects. noble race"
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, 600 of them-men, women
and children-and they own, in lands
and trust funds, 1852, 900, 600 of prop
erty. The Secretary's comment upon
this remarkable text deserves the atten-
ton Of Congress and the friends of the
Indian. Possibly also the owners and
managers of land grant railroads will find
something of interest in Mr.. Lamar's sug-
gestion that "the field Of future ~investi.
CATION might well include how the great
franchises granted by the nation are con-
Quoted with reference to the convenience,
wants and necessities OF the people whose
interests they were intended to promote.
This broad field would embrace, among
others, rates of fare and freight, discrim-
nations, combinations for the suppress
sion of Legitimate competition and con-
venient terminal facilities and connec.
tions. The protection of the pecuniary
interest of the Government in it's deal
ings with these great highways is i'm
portant. But to secure equal justice to
every citizen in his rights hereunder is
vital"
Secretary Lamar's report, says the New
York Herald, is proof that the Interior
Department has for its head an upright,
wise and patriotic man, capable of SUBJ
serving with a firm hand all the various
interests committed to his care, and de.
termined. above all other things, that
justice shall be done and the rights of
the people rigidly guarded.
THE POLYGANY QUESTION.