The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-12-16

1t has often been said that the In
terror Department is an empire in Itself,
and the remark is notextravagant. The
wide range of topics covered by Secre-
tarv Lamar's report makes general I
comment on it impossible. The inter
ests of Indian tribes aud nations and the I
conduct Of the Government Hospital for |
the Insane; the condition of all the
Territorie, and of the BOT 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 Freedman's Hospital and dozen
other large and small interests, all come
within the puryiew of this report.
But the spirit which Secretary
Lamar brings 10 the care Of these varied
interests can be shown in few words of
his own. Concerning p nsions, for
instance, he says - know Of no bur
den Of government that is more cheer
fully borne than that Of the pension
system. ] concur fully in all efforts to
demonstrate that when well and cleanly
administered it is noble in is purpose
and good in its results. From state
/ ment 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 con-
tributed the money exceeds that paid to
the defenders Of the country, Think the
complaint of excessive pensions is not
well founded"
Pensioners need not fear the Southern
man at the head of the Interior Depart
ment v no 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 - think the policy
Of securing the cooperation of those re-
ligious and philsnthropic societies which
have for 80 many years labored for the
amelioration of the condition of the In
dams should be continued. They have
expended within the last few year. in
moneys alone millions of dollars, and
experience has shown the benefits of
their aid and assistance. | desire here
to acknowledge my own obligations to
these associations for their cooperation,
and also nay high appreciation of the aid
| have derived from the counsels and
sympathy of those Christian ministers
who, in the spirit of their Divine Master
are deyoting themselves to the best and
highest interests of this unfortunate and
in some respects, noble race"
By the way, the Indians seem to b,
on the whole the wealthiest body Of
people in this country. There are, Mr.
Lamar reports, 260, 900 of them-men
women and children-and they own, il
lands and trust funds, $152,00s000 o
property The Secretary's comment
upon this remarkable text deserves tn,
attention of Congress and of the friend
of the Indian. Possibly also the owners
and managers of land grant railroad
. will find something of interest in Mr.
Lamar's suggestion that "the field o
future investigation might well includ
how the great franchises granted by th
nation are conducted with reference t,
the convenience, wants and necessitie
of the people whose interests they wer'
intended to promote. This broad felC
would embrace, among others, rates o
fare and freight, determinations, comb
nations for the suppression OF Legitimate
competition and convenient termina
facilities and connections. The protec
ton of the pecuniary interest of thu
government in its dealings with thes
great highways is important. But t.
secure equal justice to every citizen il
his rights hereunder is vital"
Secretary Lamar's report is proof tina
the Interior Department has for it
head an upright, wise and patriotic man
capable of supervising with firm han,
all the various interests committed t
his care, and determined, above al
) other things, that justice shall be don
and the rights of the people ri gidl.
guarded. N. y. Herald