The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-12-04

- character may expose him 10 in
Ealing with others. Whenever be-
-, mon any reservation IL should be
s,,ade complete, 20 that all are brought
~ same condition, ard as soon rs pos
sible the community in lands should
cease by opening such a. remain IN
allotted TO settlement.
Contact with the ways OF industrious
and successful farmers viii perhaps
add hearty emulation and both in
struct and stimulate, but no agency
Tor the amelioration OF this people APP
Mars to me 90 promising as the ex-
tension urged by the secretary OF such
connIete facilities Of education as
shaIf al the earliest possible day emf
brace all teachable Indian youths Of
hoth sexes and retain them with
Kindly and beneficent hold until their
characters are formed and facilities
ard dispositions trained TO such pur-
moses and some form OF useful indus
nv. The capacity of the Indian no
longer needs demonstration. IL is es-
tabIished. 1t remains to make the
most OF il, and when this shall be done
the curse will be lifted, the Indian
races saved and the sin OF their OPP
nression redeemed. The time Of It's
accomplishment depends on the spirit
and Justice with which IL shall be
prosecuted II cannot be too soon for
the Indian nor for the interest and
good name OF the nation.
The average attendance OF Indian
pupils in the schools increase by over
900 during the year. The total enroll
ment reached 1921. The cost of main
tenance was not materially raised.
The number of teachabie Indian
youths is now 1905, or nearly three
times The enrolment of the schools.
II IS believed that the obstacles in the
way Of instructing all are surmounta-
Bile, and the necessary expenditures
would be measure OF economy.
THE SIOUX RESERVATION.
The Sioux tribes on the great reser-
walton of Dakota refused TO assent to
the act passed by congress at the last
session for the opening OF portion OF
their lands to settlement. notwith-
standing modification Of the terms
was suggested which met mo / of their
objections. Their demand is for i'm
mediate payment of the full price OF
81 25 per acre for the entire body OF
land the occupancy Of which they are
asked to relinquish. The manner of
submission insured their fair under
standing OF the law, and their action
was undoubtedly a. thoroughly intel
hgent as their capacity admitted. Ii Is
at least gratifying that no reproach OF
oyer-reaching can in any manner he
spoken against the government, how
ever advisable the favorable compile
ton OF the negotiation may have been
u H.. a. =
secretary regarding the Turtle Noun
tain Indians, the two reservations
in Colorado and the Crees They
should, in my opinion, receive imme-
date attention.
PENSIONS.
The number of pensioners added to
the roll during the fiscal year ended
June 80, 1888, is 60, 252. and an increase
of pensions was granted in As, rs cases.
The names OF 15.730 pensioners were
dropped from the rolls during the year
for various causes, and at the close of
the year the number OF persons OF alt
classes receiving pensions was
452, 55T. OF these there were sD5
survivors of the war of 1872,
l0,7s7 widows of those who served in
that war, 1900 soldiers of the Mexi-
can war aud 5l0i widows Of said sol
diers. There are l02 different rates OF
pensions to be paid beneticiaries, rang
ing from s. TO $ii6 G6 per month.
The amount paid for pensions during
the fiscal year was SIS. 775. s6l %. being
an increase over the preceding year OF
$5,30S,2s -. The expense attending
the maintenance and operation of the
pension bureau during that period was
s, 262 ,52i 81, making the entire expen-
ditures of the bureau $50 ,035, 1886 81 I,
being 2lL per cent. OF the total ex-
penditures OF the government during
the year.
PENSION LAW REVISION.
am thoroughly convinced that our
general pension laws should be revised
and adjusted 10 meet, as far a. posi-
BILE in the light of our experience, all
meritorious cases. The fact that l0l
different rates of pensions are paid
cannot in my opinion be made consis-
tent with justice TO the pensioners and
to the government. The numerous
private bills that are urged. predi.
Gated upon the imperfection OF the
general laws, while they increase in
many cases the existing inequality and
injustice, lend additional force to the
recommendation for revision Of the
general laws on the subject.
PENSIONS INDEPENDENTLY
The laxity of ideas prevailing among
a large number of our people regard.
ing pensions is becoming every day
more marked The principles upon
which they should he granted are
in danger of being altogether ignored
and already pensions are often
claimed because the applicants are as
much entitled as other successful APP.
plicants, rather than upon any dis
ability reasonably attributable 10
military service. II the establishment
OF various presidents be continued.
the granting OF pensions will be not
divorced from partisan ana other
unworthy and Irrelevant considera-
tons and the honorable names OF
veterans will unfairly become by
these means but another term for one
who constantly clamors for the aid OF
the government There Is danger I'll at
injury viii be done 10 the fame and
patriotism Of many whom our citizens
delight ~ honor, and that prejudice
will he aroused unjust to meritorious
applicants for pensions.
DEPARTMENT Oh AGRICULrURE.
The department OF agriculture has
continued with good measure of
success its efforts 10 develop the pro-
cesses, enlarge the results and aug
meat the profits OF American hus-
handry. II has collected and dis
tributed practical information, intro
duced and tested new plants, and
checked the spread OF contagious
diseases OF farm animals, resisted the
advance OF noXious insects and deS-
tructlve fungus growths, and sought
10 secure To agricultural labor the
highest reward OF its effort and the
fullest immunity from loss. Its rec
ords OF the year show that the season
of ISIS has been one OF medium pro-
auctions, 4 generous supply OF the
demands OF consumption has been
assured and surplus for expor-
tahon, moderate in certain products
and houutitul in others, Will prove q
benefit alike 81 the buyer and grower.
Four years ago IL was found that
the great cattle industry of the coun-
try was endangered. aud those en-
gagged in it We're alarmed at the rapid
extension of the European plague OF
pieuro- pneumonia serious outbreaks OF
which existed in Illinois, Missouri, Ken
Wcky and in Tennessee. The animals
Affected were held in quarantine. Five
counties in New York and from one
To four counties in each Of the states