The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1888-12-06

eHtf1eS and Claims to be taken Tor the
homesteads of honest industry. al
thus unjustly must ofterd q
profound qualification TO right
feelingcitiZens as it is re-
compense for the labors and struggles
of the recovery our dear experience and
ought sufficiently TO urge the speedy
enactment of measures of legislation
which will confine the future DISPOSE
| ton of our remaining agricultural
| lands to the uses of actual husbsndry
and genuine homes. Nor should our
vast tracts of so called desert land be
yielded up TO the monopoly OF eorpor-
lations or grasping individuals, as ap-
pears to be much the tendency under
| the existing statute. The lands re
quires but the supply of water to be-
come fertile and productive. 1t Is a
problem or great moment how more
wisely for the public good that fac
tor shall be furnished. l cannot
but think it perilOus to suffer either
those lands or the sources of their irri-
cation to fall into the hands of mo-
nopOlies which. by such, means. may
exercise lordship over areas dependent
on their treatment for productiveness.
Already steps have been taken to Sc
cure accurate and scientific infOrma-
tionS which are the prime basis of in
/ tefligent action. Until this shall be
gained the course of wisdom appears
/ clearly to be in a suspension OF further
disposal, which only promises to create
rights antagoniStic to the common In
terest. No harm can follow this eau
tionary conduct. The land will re-
demand for the hasty dispossessiOn Of
national ownership and control. /
commend also the recommendation
| that appropriate measures be taken to
complete the adjustment of the vari-
Gus grants made To the states for in
ternal improvements, and of swamp
and overlooked lands, as well as to adj
judicate and finally determine the val
idity and extent of the numerous pFi-
vate land claims. An these are ele-
ments of great injustice and peril to
the settlers upon the localities affected,
and now that their existence cannot be
avoided no duty is mora pressing than
to fix as soon as possible their bounds
and terminate the threats of trouble
which arise from uncertainty.
The condition of our Indian popu-
lation continues to improve and the
proofs multiply that the transform
ing change, so much to be desired,
| which shall substitute for barbarlsm,
enlightenment and civilizing education
is making favorable progress. Our
relations with these people during the
year have been disturbed by
no serious disorders but rath-
er worked by better realiZa-
tion of their true interests aud in
creasing confidence and good will.
These conditions testify to the value
of the higher tone of consideration
and humanity which has governed
the later methods of dealing with
them and commands its continued
observance. Allotments in severalty
have been made on some reserva-
tionS until ali those entitled to land
have had their shares assigned them
and the work is still continued in
directing the execution of this duty.
/ have not aimed so much at rapid
dispatch as to secure just and fair
arrangements which shall best cOnduce
to the objects of the law producing
satisfaction with the results of the
allotmentS made. 1t prOfferS Oppor-
tunity and inducement to that indie
pendence of spirit and life which the
Indian peculiarly needs, while at the
same time the inalienability of title
affords security against the risks his
ineXperience of affairs or weakness of
character may expose him to i'll deal
ing with Others. Whenever begun
upon any reservation it should be
made complete so that all are brought
to the same condition and as soon as
possible community in lands should
cease by opening such as remain IN
allotted to settlement. Contact with
the ways of industrious and success.
full farmers will, perhaps, add a
! healthy emulation which will both
instruct and stimulate, but no agency
for the amelioratiOn of this people
appears to me so promising as the
extension urged by the secretary OF
such complete facilities OF education
as shall at the earliest possible day
embrace all teachable Indian youths
of both sexes, and retain them with a
kindly ana benificient hold until their
: characters are formed and their facul-
ties trained TO the sure pursuit OF some
form of useful industry. Capacity
of the Indians no longer need demon
stration. 1t is established. 1t re-
mains TO make the most of it and
J when that shall be- done the curse will
be lifted, the Indian race saved and
: tue sin of their oppression redeemed.
The time of accomplishments de
ponds upon the spirit and justice with
which it shall be prosecuted. 1t CAN
} not be too soon for the Indian, nor
for the interests and good name of the
: nation. He reviews the Sioux QueS
ton and urges the acceptance of the
: Secretary's suggestions in regard tt
the various reservations.
! The number of pensioners added tx
the rolls during the fiscal year ended
> June 80, 1888, is 60,252, and increase OF
q pensions were grained in ID, ZIG cases
! The names of 1870 pensioners were
: dropped from the rolls during the yeal
for various causes. and at the close OF
! the year the number of persons OF al
classes receiving pensions was AS. 557
OF these there were sos survivors Of
; the war of 1872; 1,07S widows of those
, who served in that war; Is ,O6O soldiers
r ! of the Mexican war. and {, l04 widows
of said soldiers. i am thoroughly con
WINGED that our general pension laws
!, should be revised and adjusted to meet
2 as far as possible In the light of Oul
l experience, all meritOIlOuS cases. ThG
e tact that one hundred and two differ
9 ent rates of pensions are paid cannot
in my opinion, be made consistent
; with justice to the pensioners or the
i government, and the numerous prE
Z Vate pension bills that are passed, pred
I icated upon the imperfeetion of gener
: al laws, while they increase in man!
/ cases the existing inc uality and in
8 Justice, lend additional force to thu
J, recommendation for a revision of thu
d general laws ON this subject. The lax
ity of ideas prevailing among larg'
+ number of our people regarding pen
Z sions IS becoming every day NOR!
d marked. The principles upon which
). they should be granted are in DANCE
of being altogether ignored. and al
ready pensions are often claimed be
cause the applicants are as much en-
+ titled as other successful applicants
+ rather than upon any disability reas
t onabIy attributable to military service
g If the establishment of various preee
/ dents be continued; if the granting o
e pensions be not divorced from partisan
i and other unworthy and iTelevan
C considerations, and if the honorable
It name of veterans unfairly becomes b,
; these means but another term for on
e who constantly clamors for the aid o
Il the government, there is danger tina
l. injury will be done to the fame ant
oil patriotism of many whom our citizen
h all delight to honor, and that preju
r dice will be aroused unjust to meri
= tnrinns annlicants for nensinnS