The times., 1888-12-07

justice, but in forecast Of the consequences 70
future generations. The broad, rich
acres acres OF or our a'rcuitursi plains have
become her untrsmmela gift 70 people civili1ed
and free upon which should rest In well dstrib
uted owner hip the numerous homes OF enlight-
ened, equal, and fraterna citizens. They came 10
national possession with the waring example La
our eyes of the entail OF iniquities in landed pro-
prletorship, which other countries permitted and
still suffer; Ne have no excuse fer the violation
OF principles cogently taught by reason and OK
arpe, nor for the allowance OF pretexts which
have so ctirncs exposed our land TO colossal
greed. Laws which open the door TO fraudulent
acquisition administrations which permits
favor to rapacious seizure by favored few OF ex-
JOY are accessory TO ofenses against
our Our national welfare and humanity
punished. 1t is gratifying to now that some
thing has been done ut last TO redress the in
Juries to people and check the perilous tendency
OF the reckless waste OF national domain that over
oO,OOO0O acres have been wrested from illegal
usurpation, improvidant grants and fraudulent
entries and claims to be taken for the homestead
or honest industry-olthouyh less than tho
greater areas thus unjustly lost--nust afford u
profound qualification to right feeling citizens, az
Il Is recompense for the labors and struggles OF
the recovery.
Our dear experience ought sufficiently 10 urge
the speedy enactment OF measures of leg isla-
lion which will confne the future disposition OF
our remaining agricultural lands to tho uses OF
actual husbandry and geuine homes. Nor should
our vast tracts of socaled desert lands be yel led
individuals, as appears To be much the tendency
under the existing statute. These lands require
but the supply OF water 10 become fertile
and productive. IL Is a problem of
great moment how most wisely for the public
good that factor shall be furnished. can but
think IL perilous TO suffer ether these lands or
the sources of their irrigation TO fall into the
hands OF nlopopolies, which ny such means may
exercise lordship over areas dependent on their
neatneat neat for produetveness Already steps
Information OF the conditions which Is the prime
basis OF Intelligent action. Until this shall be
gained the course Of wisdom appears clearly to
lie in suspension OF further dis posal which only
promises to create rights autagonistic TO the com
mon interest. No harm eau follow this Caution
ary conduct. The land will remain and the pub
lie good present3 no demand for hasty dispt sses
sion OF national ownership andcontrol.
commend al,O the recommendations that aD
propriate measures be taken To compete the ad-
iustment of the various grants maize the states
for internal improvements, and OF swamp aud
oyerflowed lands, as well rs TO adjudicate and
finally determine the validity and extent OF the
numerous private land claims. All these arc
elements OF great injustice and peril TO the set
tiers upon the localities affected, aud now that
their existence Is more pressing We should fix as
soon a. possible their bounds and terminate the
threats Of trouble which arise from uncertainty.
The condition OF our Indian population con-
tlnues TO improve, and the proofs multiply that
the transforming change so much TO be desired
which shall substitute for barbarism enghter-
rnent aud civhizng education is in favorable pro-
gress. Our relations with these people during
the year have been disturb by no serious dii-
orders, bat rather marked by better realization
of their true interests and increasing confidence
aud good will. These conditions testify to the
value OF the higher tone Of consd ration and
humanity which has governed the later methods
OF dealing with them, and commend it's continued
observance. Allotmcnts in severalty have been
made on some reservations, until all those
titled to laud thereon have had their shares
signed, and the work Is still continued. In direct
ing the execution Of thi' duty | have not
aimed 50 much at rapid dispatch
TO secure Just and fair arrangements
law by producing GtiSiaction with the results OF
the allotments made. No measure of general
effect has been entered on from which more may
lie fairly hoped, 1t IL sha b di creetly aduins-
tered. II protPers opportunity and inducemenC
10 that Independence Of irit and life which the
Indian peculiarly needs, while at the same time
tnc stability of title affords ecurity against the
risks his incxperience of affairs or weakness OF
character may expose him to In dealing with
others. Whenever begun upon any reservatonir
should he made complete, 80 that a are brought
TO the same condition, and rs soon as 30 sible
community in lands should ctese by opening
such az remain unallotted to settlement. Fa-
mi iarity with the ways OF industries and sue
cesSfu farmers will perhaps add healthy emu
latiou which will both instruct and stimulate.
But no agency for the aIneloration OF this peo-
pie appears TO me so promising as the extension,
urged by the secretary, Of such complete facili-
ties Of education az shall OF the earliest possible
day embrace all teachable Indian youths of both
sexes, and retain them with n kindly and benef-
cent hold until their characters are formed aud
their faculties and dispositions traiued to the
y.
Capacity OF the Indian no longer needs demon
stration. It is established; il remains 20 make
curse will be lifted, the Indian race soved, aud
the sin Of their oppression redeemed. The time
of its accomplishment depends upon the spirit
aud justice with which 1t shall be prosecuted. II
cannot be too soon for the Indian nor for the in
terests and good name of the netion.
The average attendance OK Indian schoo in-
reached of
ancc was not materially rasei. The number Of
teachable ndian youth is now estimated ut &c, 600
or nearly three times the enrolment of the
schools. II is believed the obstacles in tn way Of
instructing ali are surmountable. and that the
necessary expenditure would be a measure OF
The Sioux tribes on ths great reservation of
Dakota refused to assent to the act passed by
congress at its last session for opening por-
ton of their lands TO settlement notwith-
standing modification OF the terms was
suggested which met most OF their
O6sstOtns Their Ir demand for m%e
entire body Of land, the occupancy of which they
are asked to Ielinquish. Toe manner Of subinis.
sion insured their fair understanding OF the la e,
and their action was undoubtedly as thoroughly
intelligent their capacity admitted. IL Is at
least gratif, ing that no reproach OF overreachng
can in any manner be brought against the govern
ment, however advisable the favora 10 compile
tion OF the negotiation may have been esteemed.
concur in the suggestion OF the secretary re-
gardng the Turtle Mountain Indians, the two res
ervatons In California and the Crees Th, y should
in my opinion receive immediate attent on
The number or pensioners added To the rolls
during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1888, Is co.,
252, and an increase OF pensions was granted In
45,Ti6 cases. The names of 1880 pensioners
were dropped from the rolls duri K the year for
various causes. and ON the close OF the year the
number OF persons Of all classes receiving pen
sions was 452, ,557. OF these there were 6O1 sur
vivois of the war of 1912; MS widows of those
vino served in that war: 5000 soldiers of tho
Mexican war. ant. 5, l0i widows Of said soldiers.
One hundred and two different rates of pt.nsions
are paid 10 these benefciarics, ranging from
So 1865 month The pliil for
penSlons during tn fiscal year was S7,,05,SG 81,
bting an increase over the preceding year OF
S5 3S, 0S2
The expenses attending the maintenance and
ope alton OF the p nsion bureau during that
period was e3, % ..52467, making the entire ex.
penditures Of the bureau SSe OBS SG57, being 81 "
per cent. OF the total expenditures OF tie govern.
ment during the year.
l am thoroughly convinced that our general
pension laws should be revised aud adjusted l.,
meet far as possible. in the light of our ex
pcrience all incTitorious cases. The fact tina
log different rates of pensions are paid can not T.
my op niou be made co 'sistent with justice
the pensioners or To the government and tn
numerou private pension bills that are pa SEQ
predicated upon the lmperfcctiou Of genera
laws, while they increase la many cases existing
ineq ality and Injustice lend additional force tc
the reco incubation for tho revision Of the gen
cral laws on this subject.
The lsxity OF Ideas prevailing among a large
mum er Of ur people regarding pensions IL be-