Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-12-06

attending the surrender of those engaged in
active hostiities, to send the adult males,
eighteen in number. to Fort Pickrns. Flori.
da, there to be kept in close custody until
further orders. The csptured women and
children we're sent to Fort Marion, making
the total number of four hundred and seven.
, ty sent TO the last named place.
UNLAWFUL IScLosURE OF THE PUBLIC LANDS.
The statements made 10 my last annual re-
port that large bodies Of land we're unlaw-
fully closed for private purposes by individ-
uals and corporations engaged in what they
call growing live stock" and ''rsnching"
has been verified by the reports of special
agents from that time until now. As shown
by the report of the commissioner of the
General Land Office, 375 unlawful Enclosures J.,
containing an area OF some 6,4l0 600 acres
have been brought to attention up TO the
present time. Ii is believed that this does
not represent nearly the area illegally in
closed Proceedings TO compel removal have
been brought involving 2.250 900 acres.
DEGREES have been obtained for removals
from more than a 900 900 acres. Cases em.
bracing 3,750,000 acres are pending exsrni-
nation. and from part of these fences are
now being removed. The total area from
which fences have been and are being re-
moved, as shown by the report of the COM
missioner, 10 2.7l4 925 acres. Doubtless .
better showing would have been made with
| reference to these Enclosures if the depart
ment had had tue means of employing the
number of agents necessary for the prosecu-
ton of the work.
RAILROADS.
The report of the commissioner of railroads
and the railroad engineer gives full details Of
the condition and material facts pertaining
to the several railroads aided by the Govern
ment, to which your attention 10 invited
| The report of the engineer shows,the roads
| generally to be we'll constructed and equipped.
with steady advances in improvements, so
tar as he has inspected within the last year.
| The report of the commissioner embraces
twenty-five railroads subsidized or aided by
land grants, mainly west of the Missouri
river.
There is submitted herewith the report of
the Commissioner of Pensions, which exhibits
in d.cXa the operations of the bureau during
the pAa fiscal year. The report indicates .
greatly increased amount of work at con-
slderably diminished expenditure snd with
less clerical force, evinchiDg skill and activi-
ty in its management
In considering a, pesls from the decision of
the Pension Office | find some classes of
cases of such peculiar hardship that deem
amendstory legislation advisable. l call at
tentions to sections 1896 and 4707. Section
4707 limits the claim of dependence on the
part of an aged parent or . minor child, and
fixes its initiative at the moment of time Of
death of = soldier on account of whose death
the dependant is made pensonable.
1t seems to me to be wiser rule, and a
more just one, that where the dependence has
occurred in the natural order of events at
time subject to the death of the soldier on
account of increasing years, or of misfortune,
not contributed to by the beneficiary, the de
pendent pension should then have its founda-
ton and point of beginning.
al suggest such q change in the law ~ that
in the case of parents of increasing years. or
children Of tender years below the age Of
sixteen. where their condition Of physical de-
pendence 10 not due to their fault, or habits,
but 10 merely matter Of misfortune or time,
that they should be allowed pensions from
the date at which the dependence in the nat
ural and ordinary state of human affairs
would begin: such pension IN all cases, how
ever, to be prospective, and in no case to an
ticipate the date of the approval of the law
authorizing its granting.
Section 1896, Revised Statutes, provides
that pensions shall be issued at rate to bs
fixed, dependent upon the rank held by the
soldier at the time he received the injury or
contracted the disease which resulted in the
DISABILITY on account of which he may be enti-
tied TO a pension. Under existing law it has
very often happened that soldiers have been
disabled, or have incurred disease, or have
suffered from injuries in q certain degree,
and that in spite of such injury or disease
they have continued to perform military
service, and have been promoted for efhcien
cy, or gallsntry, or meritorions conduct
They have not claimed pension until after
discharge. Under existing law when pension
if granted it is necessarily fixed at the lower
rate allowed for the claimants original rank,
or, to speak more accurately, at the rank
held at the time the original disability was
incurred.
suggest that the law be 80 amended 80
that the pension shall be allowed for the rank
subs equently borne, bona fide, before dis
charge, or at date of discharge, where the
disability 10 shown to have originated in the
service and in line of duty, and subject to
the further condition that in no event shall
the pension antedste the law allowing such
increase.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
The principal function of the Geological
SURVEY is the discovery of mineral resources
UelOTt uUkuOWD duu Tile CollcCllUD vi IdCts VI
Importance to the industries involved.
During the year the publications of the
Survey were increased bv the addition Of the
Fifth Annual Report, sound volume on the
Mineral Resources of the United States and
fourteen bulletins.
THE TERRITORIES.
, The general condition of the TerritorieI
show arked and, in some instances, striking
progress in population, taxable property, SET
tlement of land, education, the mechanic
arts, railroad enterprises, and many other OF
the elements which promise to make then
great and prosperous states in the future.
The population Of the territory of Dskot,
for the year ended June 80, 1856, is estimated
at 500 900, an increase during the year o
So 900. The present population of Montani
il given at l10, 900, and that of Idaho at So,
900, an increase of nearly 10, 900 in each OF
these Territories during the year. Washing
$ ton Terrtority now claims population O
100000
THE UTAH COMMISSION.
The chairman of this Commission report,
that, in general. during the past year. as il
2 the last and previous years, the law relating
T to the disfrsuchisemeDt of polygamsts anC
0 those living in unlawful cohabitation has beer
e fully and successfully enforced. All such
persons, with very few, if any, exceptions,
e have been excluded from voting and holding