Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-06
SECRETARY LAMAR,S REPORT.
Tn. AFFAIR, NJ the 1u,.r,or n.r.u.


VARIOUS RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT THE INDIANS
THE CATTLE BARoNs AND THE rENcEs-THE SEC
RKTARys SHARP REVIEW OF poRsEYs LETTER
OTHER NATTERS
The Secretary OF the Interior in hts annual ne
port says that there has been steady, though not
rapid improvement I'm the moral, material and In
teectual condition OF the mass OF the Indian pop
ulation during the past twelve months. The aver
age attendance OF children In the schools is about
LOCO greater than heretofore, and many more OF
the parents are anxious for the education OF their
children. "As stated in my last report, the only
alternative now presented TO the American Indian
race is speedy entrance into the pale OF American
civilization or absolute extinction. In order TO
escape the latter and attain the former three
ditions OF preparation are Indispensable. The first
is TO get established In this the idea and hab-
itude OF individual property holding thorough ne
lance upon its tnvfolability and perfect sense OF
security In the enjoyment OF It's benefits. Second,
an education OF the entire mass OF the youth OF this
race, embracing thorough knowledge OF the use
OF the English language in the daily affairs OF life,
arithmetic, and the mechanical arts among the
males, and among the females the domestic arts In
use with that sex. Third, a substitution OF the
universal operation OF law among them In the en-
Ioreement OF Justice and the protection OF person
and property, and the punishment OF crimes for
the agencies or force and superstition.
ACTIVE WORK AMONG THE INDIANS.
The Secretary renews his recommendation OF
last year, which was introduced in the House In
the shape OF a bill for the appointment OF a CON-
mission to inspect and report upon the condition
or the Indians. The work OF locating the Indians
on lands in Severalty has however, been pushed
forward, and during the year about 800 Indians
have received title: There are now PA schools OF
ulHerent KINDS maintained, at a cost OF $9S1, ISL
for the Indians, and the average attendance is
9,o2S. IL Is recommended that Congress enact
such legislation as viii authorize the Indians to
take cattle from neighboring cattlemen TO pasture
on the surplus lands OF their reservations the ln-
dams to herd and care for the cattle and 10 receive
fair compensation. II should, however, be so
restricted and regulated as to prevent white men
from going upon the reservations and so as not TO
retard or Interfere with the development OF the
agricultural and other industrial pursuits OF the
Indians. The Secretary urges that Congress take
some action relative TO the construction OF rail-
roads through the Indian territory, they will aid
In breaking down the natural aversion OF the In
dlanS TO the division OF their lands Tor indiridua
holding and the sale OF their surplus territory.
The report suggests an additional appropriation TO
enable the eastern band OF Cherokee Indians TO be
removed TO the Indian Territory. IL Is recon-
mendeu That the salary OF the commissioner OF In
ultn AHalrS DE Increased from 81 900 TO $1,000.
SOME LAND RECOMMENDATIONS.
The Secretary renews his recommendation OF
last year that the minimum price for sales vi land
at private cash entry be increased, and also re-
commends the enactment of a law barring the pre-
sentatiOn OF claims founded on alleged Mexican
land grants, after such time as Congress may de-
temine to the end that the incentive for the pre-
sentatOn OF false claims may no longer exist, and
that those which are bona Hde may the more readi-
ly and speedily be adJudicated.
Unless Congress sees mt 10 modify the desert
land laws to render them less liable to abuse
the Secretary would renew his former recommend
alton that these laws be repealed. He also renewS
his Recommendation that the timber culture laws
be repealed. He recommends legislation to pre-
serve the public timber and the modification OF the
acts OF June 3D. 1878 The repeal OF the reinquish-
ment act OF June 2d, 1874, and the law authorizing
the system OF deposits for surveys is recommended.
VIGOROUS FENCE POLICY.
The statement made In the last annual report
that large bodies OF land were unlawfully enclosed
for private purposes by individuals and corpora
lions engaged i'm what they call ssgrow1ng live
stock" and branching" has been verified by the
reports OF special agen&S from that time until now
The Presidents proclamation and the action of
the agents OF the department have arrested the
further appropriation OF the public lands by these
unlawful enclosures They have also produced a
Whilst, however, IL is claimed that many trespass-
erS on notification have removed their fences IL Is
undenisbiy true that larger number still Inain-
tain them, and Will refuse TO obey the law except
under actual compulsion. The Secretary says that
In order that the OF these treSpaSSerS called
livestock growers in some OF the Territories and
"ranchmen" in Others, who thus stand I'm open and
ayO we'd violation OF the laws OF the land and de-
clare their Intention TO continue In their as
necessity OF the case In defiance OF the authority
OF the Government, may be fairly presented, he
presents letter written by s. w. Dorsey, under
date OF october 10th, 1856, TO inspector OF the
department In this letter Mr.. Dorsey gives an
account OF why fencing was employed, and says
that the cattlemen have no wish nor intention TO
violate the law The Secretary reviews this letter
In rather caus:ic style.
LAMAR ON DORSEY.
He says: SIT will be perceived that there is no
denial by the writer OF this letter that the public
domain has been unlawfully fenced, and no apology
is suggested for the unlawful acts The ingenu-
Gus simplicity which, without concealment or de-
Tense, admits the violation OF the law, and the
mare frankness which asserts that reasons exist
why the violation should be continued, are equaled
only by the innocent Inconsistencies OF any moral
wrong In thus deliberately disregarding the laws
Of the country. The necessity which is
urged in defense OF the unlawful fencing OF public
lands can, with equal justice be urged In extenu-
alton OF unlawful acquisition OF titles to these
lands. There is, In my opinion, no difference be-
tween the two. In either case It is the necessity
OF personal aggrand1Zement at the expense of the
public interest and In violation OF public law
What has been accomplished hitherto has
been through the efforts OF the agents OF this
Department and by process through the civil tri-
bunals Believing that the military should be
Sparingly used in a Government like our own
hesitated to advise the use of this arm OF the Gov
eminent where the civil power could be effectively
invoked; and so far the military power has not
been brought into requisition. Whatever appli-
the Executive win hereafter be invoked If neces-
Sary, to put final end TO this enormous plumber
ing OF the public domain,
MORE LIBERAL PENSION LAWS.
The report then gives brief statements OF the
work OF the various bureaus and recommends in
COuutCtlOu Will INC uulcdu, SUCH u
change i'm the law as that in the case OF parents
OF increasing years or children OF tender years be-
low the age OF sixteen, where their condition OF
physical dependence is not due 10 their fault or
habits, but Is merely matter OF misfortune or
time, that they should be allowed pension from
the date at which the dependence In the natural
and ordinary state OF human affairs would be-
gin. Also that the law be so amended so that the
pension shall be allowed for the rank subSe-
quently borne, bona nde, before discharge, or at
date of discharge, where the disability is shown to
have originated in the service and in line OF duty
and subject TO the further condition that ia no
event shall the pension antedate the law allowing
such increase.
MORE ROOM FOR THE DEPARTMENT.
The Secretary says: "Icannot too strongly repre-
sent to the Congress the necessity for additional
working space for the officers, employees, and rec
Gals OF the government expected TO perform their
whole duty and care for the records entrusted to
their charge, should be hampered In their opera
lions by lack OF sufficient Office space. Tempo
rary make-shiftS like that OF an additional floor
in the Pension ONCE building, do not properly
meet the requirements OF the service. Ample and
secure Office accommodations should be provided
the necessity for the renting OF private buildings
at eXorbitant rates. Last year the sum OF S48-
SS4.2l was paid by this department for the rental
or Office accommodations. This sum represents
the interest at 3 per cent. per annum on pr1n-
cpal OF 81, 462 S01, at which rate the government
is able To procure all the funds desired for its
operations. Would It not, therefore be in the In
proof buildings, the property OF the. gOvernInent
should be erected for the accommodation OF these
OfficeS?"
The report recommends that an appropri-