The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-12-04

last session for opening portion of their
lands to settlement, Notwithstanding modi-
met most Of their objections. Their demand
is for immediate payments Of the full price
of 81. % per acre for the entire body of land
the occupancy of which they are asked to
relinquish. The manner OF submission in
sured their fair understanding OF the law and
their action was undoubtedly as thoroughly
Intelligent as their capacity admitted. 1t is
at least gratifying that no reproach Of over
reaching can in any manner lie against the
government, however advisable the favor
able completion OF the negotiation may have
been esteemed. / concur in the suggestion
OF the Secretary regarding the Turtle Noun
tain Indians, the two reservations in Cali
fornia and the Crees. They should, in my
opinion, receive immediate attention.
THE PENSION OFFICE.
The number of pensioners added to the
rolls during the fiscal year ended June 80,
1888 is 60.252; and increase of pensions was
granted in 1916 cases. The names of IT,
100 pensioners were dropped from the rolls
during the year for various causes, and at
the end Of the year the number Of
all classes receiving pensions was 452,557. OF
these there were 8O6 survivors Of the war Of
1872, 10,787 widows of those who served in
that war, 10000 soldiers of the Mexican War,
and 5104 widows of said soldiers. One hun
dred and two different rates of pensions are
paid to these benefciaries, ranging from 50
to S4l6.66 per month. The amount paid for
pensions during the fiscal year was S79.S75,-
S6l.2 being an increase over the preceding
year of 81, 30S, 2SO22.
The expenses attending the maintenance
and operation of the pensisn bureau during
that period was S3,262, 52467 making the en-
tire expenditures Of the bureau $50, 03S, 1861
being 2l5 per cent. Of the gross income and
nearly 81 per cent. of the total expenditures
of the government during the year.
am thoroughly convinced that our gener-
al pension laws should be revised and adj
justed to meet, as far as possible in the light
OF our experience, all meri'arious cases. The
TACT that lO2 different rates Of pensions are
paid. cannot, In my opinion, be made consist.
ent with justice to the pensioners or to the
government, and the numerous private pen
sion bills that are passed, predicated upon
the imperfection Of general laws, while they
increase in many cases existing inequality
and injustice, lend additional force TO the
recommendation for revision of the general
laws on this subject. The laxity Of ideas
prevailing among a large number Of our
people regarding pensions is becoming every
day more marked. The principles upon
which they should be granted are in danger
OF being altogether ignored, and already
pensions are often claimed because the ap-
plicauts are as much entitled as other sue
cessful applicants. rather than upon any dis
ability reasonably attributable to military
service. III the establishment of vicious
presidents be continued, If the granting Of
pensions be not divorced from partisan and
other unworthy and irrelevant considera-
tions. and If the honorable name of veteran
unfairly becomes by these means but another
term Tor one who constantly clamors for the
aid OF the government. there is danger that
injury will be done to the fame and patriot
ism OF many whom our citizens all delight
10 honor, ana that prejudice VIII be ar0us-
ed unjust to meritorious applicants for pen
slons.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
The Department Of Agriculture has con-
tinued, with good measure Of success, its
| efforts to develop the processes, enlarge the
results and augment the profits of American
husbandry. 1t has collected and distributed
practical information, introduced and tested
new plants, checked the spread Of contagious
disease of farm animals, resisted the advance
| of noxi0us insects and destructive fungus
| grewths. and sought to secure to agricultural
labor the highest reward of effort and the
fullest Immunity from loss. Its records for
| thu year show that the season Of 1888 has
been one of medium production. A gener-
| GUS supply OF the demands of consumption
has been assured, and surplus for expOrta-
ton, moderate In certain products and boun-
tlfui In others, will prove benefaction alike
to buyer and grower. Four years ago it was
found that the great cattle industry of the
| country was endangered, and those engaged
in it were alarmed by the rapid extension OF
| the European lung plague of pleuro-
pneumonia Seriouf outbreaks existed in
| Illinois, Missouri and Kentucky, and
| in Tennessee animals affected We're held
In quarantine. Five counties in New York
and from one to four counties in each of the
| States Of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Della
| ware and Maryland were almost equally af
fected. With this great danger upon us anC
| with the contagi0n already in the channels
OF commerce, with the enormous direct and
indirect losses already being caused by it
and when only prompt and energetic actor
| could be successful, there were in none O
these States any laws authorizing this de
| partment TO eradicate the malady or givinl
the State officials power to cooperate witt
it for this purpose: The department ever
lacked both the requisite appropriation an(
authority. By securing State cooperation
In connection with authority from Congress:
| the work OF eradication has been pressed
successfully, and this dreaded disease hal
been extirpated from the Western States anC
| from the Eastern States, with the exception
| of few restricted areas which are still I'M
| der supervision.
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE RAILROADS
The adjustment of the relations between
the government and the railroad companIe,
which have received land grants and tn,
guaranty of the public credit in aid of tn,
construction of their roads should receiy,
early attention. The report Of majority O
the commission appointed to examine the az
fairs and Indebtedness of these roads, II
| which they favor an extension of the time
| for the payment OF such Indebtedness, in a
least one case where the corporation appear,
to be able to comply, in the well-guarded anC
| exact terms OF such extension, and the rein
forcement of their opinion by gentlemen Of
undOubted business Judgment and expert
ence, appointed to protect the interests O
the government as directors of said corpora
ton, may well lead to the belief that such al
extension would be to the advantage Of the
| government
The consciousness that / have presented
but an imperfect statement of the condition
| OF our country and its wants occasions ne
fear that anything omitted is not known and
| appreciated by the Congress, upon whom
rests the responsibility Of intelligent legisla
ton in behalf of great nation and a con
| fiding people.
As public servants we shall do our duty
well If we constantly guard the rectitude d
| our intentions and maintain unsullied our
love Of country, and with unselfish purpose
| strive for the public good.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
Washington. Dec. 8, 1888.