Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-04
MESSAGE,
Continued from First Page.

eoAlluGtu from + lIst rage
! a problem Of great moment How much
more wisely for the public good that that
| factor shall be furnished. | cannot think
that the congress should suffer either
/ these lands or the sources OF their irriga-
/ tion TO fall into the hands Of monopolies,
| which, by such means may exercise lord
! ship over areas dependent on their treat
! ment Tor pcoductiyeness. Already steps
/ have been taken to secure accurate and
/ scientific information OF the conditions
! which IS the prime basis of Intelligent
action. Until this shall be gained the
course OF wisdom appears clearly TO be a
suspension OF further disposal which only
promises to create rights antagonlstlc to
The common interest. No harm can fol-
low this cautionary conduct. The land
will remain and the public good presents
no demand for hasty dispossession Of
national ownership and control.
commend also the recommendation that
appropriate measures be taken to complete
the adjustment OF the various grants made
TO the states for internal improvements Of
swamp and overlooked lands as well as to
adjudicate and finally determine the val
ldIty and extent OF the numerous private
land claims. All these are elements Of
great injustice and peril to the settlers
upon the localities affected and VOW that
their existence cannot be avoided, no duty
Is more pressing than TO fix as soon as pos
ible their bounds and terminate the threats
OF trouble which arise from uncertainty.
INDIANS AND INDIAN LANDS.
The condition Of our Indian population
continues TO improve and the proofs null
tiply that the transforming change so
much to be desired which shall substitute
for barbarism enlightenment and civiliz-
ing education is in favorable progress.
Our relations with these people during the
year have been disturbed by no serious
disorders but rather marked by better
realization of their true interests and IN
creasing confidence and good will. These
conditions testify to the value
of the higher tore of consideration
and humanity which has governed the
latter methods of dealing with them and
commends it continued observance,
Allotmeuts in severality have been made
on some reservations until all those en-
titled TO land thereon have had their share
and the work Is still continued.
IN directing the execution OF this duty
have not aimed so much at rapid ispatch
as to s cure just and tair arrangements
which shall best conduce to the objects of
the law by producing satisfaction with the
results of the allotmeGts made. No mees-
ure OF general effect has ever entered from
which more may be fairly hoped !
if il shall be discreetly admin
lnducement to that independence |
Of spirit and life which the Indian pecul- |
larIy needs. while at the same time the |
Of title affords security against |
the risks his ineXperience of affairs or |
weakness OF character may expose him to
ID dealing with others. Whenever begun |
upon any reservation il should be made |
complete, so Jhat all are brought to the
same condition and as soon as possible.
Community il lands should cease by open
ng such as remain unall0tted to settle
nent Contact with the ways of the indus
'rous and successful farmers will
nd a healthy emulation which
viii both instruct ana stimulate
But no argument for the amelioration of
his people appears TO me so promising as
he extension urge1 by the secretary of
such complete facilities of education as
hall at the earliest possible day embrace
III teacEable Indian youths Of both sexes
md retain them with a kindly and bene-
icient hold until their characters are
Ormed and their faculties trained to the
ure pursuit of some form of useful indus
ny. The capacity of the Indian no longer
needs demonstration; it is established. 1t
emains to make the most of it, and when
hat shall be done the curse will be lifted,
he Indian race saved and the sin of their
oppression redeemed. The time of its &C
depends upon the spirit
nd justice with which it shall be prose
uted. 1t cannot be too soon for the In
liam nor for the interests and good of the
ation.
He reviews the Sioux question and urges
he acceptance of the secretary's sugges-
ions III regard TO the various reservations.
TIE PENSION ROLL.
The number Of pensioners added to the
oils during the fiscal year ended June 80, :
SIS, is Co. 52 and increase of pensions was
ranted in A, SIG cases.
The names of 10 80 pensioners We're
rOpped from the rolls during the year for
arious causes, ard at the close of the year
be number OF persons of all classes re
ewing pensions was ~. 557. OF these /
here were 500 survivors of the war of 1912;
D, ISL widows of those who served in that
7ar; 16, $50 soldiers of the Mexican war,
nd 1904 widows of said soldiers.
He then gives d resume of pension sta
sites t
| am thoroughly convinced that our {
eneral pension laws should be revised ;
nd adjusted to meet as far as possible in
re light OF our experience all meritoriOus
lses The fact that one hundred and two {
ltierent rates OF pensions are paid cannot, s
J my opinion, be made consistent with s
lstlCe TO the pensioners or TO the govern +
lent.and the numerous private pension :
Ills that are passed predicated upon the
nperfectiOu Of general laws, while they
lcreese IN many cases existing inequality t
al injustice, lend additional force to the I
commentator for a revision of the gen q
al laws on this subject. The laxitg of !;
eas prevailing among large number OF |
ar people regarding pensions is becoming /
cry day more marked. The principles
pom which they should be granted :
e in danger of being altogether 7
nored and already pensions are /
ten claimed because the applicants |
'e as much entitled as other successful c
lplicants. rather than upon any disabil- r
Y reasonably attributable to military t
rviCe. II the establishment Of various .
'ecedents be continued, If the granting of L
.nslons be not divorced from partisan r
I'd other unworthy and irrevelant consid ],
atiOns. and if the honorable name of {
'terans unfairly becomes by these means a
1t another name for enc who constantly q
3mOrs Tor the aid OF the government. I 7
ere Is danger that injury will be done TO
e fame and patriotism of many whom
II citizens all delight TO honor. and that
prejudice VIII be aroused unjust to mer-
Jrlous applicants for pensions =
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE b
The department of agriculture has con- Il
nued with a good measure Of success its T
-oris to develop the processes, enlarge =
& result and augment tie profits Of =
Meriean husbandry. It has collected a
ID distributed practical information. in "
oduced aud tested new plants, checked L
a spread Of contagious diseases Of farm n
finals, resisted the advance Of uoxi0us
sectS and destructive fungus g-owths.
u-ht TO secure to agricultural laDor the
gneso reward Of effort and the fullest 2
.mUnity from loss. The records OF the ~
AZ show the season OF 1888 has been one
medium production. A generous sup {,
y of the demands Of co.'s umption has Z
IN assIlr..I end y snr,llm. lor lie :. rr.cr- il