The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-04

tic affairs connected with that department
and its operations during the past year are
fully exhibited, but brief reference to some
of the subjects discussed in the able and in
teresting report can here be made, but
| commend the entire report TO the attention
of Congress- and trust that the valuable and
sensible recommendations it contains will
secure careful consideration. / cannot too
strenuously insist upon the importance of
proper measures TO insure q right disposition
OF our public lands, not only as matter of
present justice, but in forecast Of the conse-
quences to future generations. The broad
| rich acres OF our agricultural plains have
been long preserved by nature to become
her untrammeled gift to people
civilized and free, upon which should
rest In well distributed ownership the
numerous homes of enlightened, equal and
fraternal citizens. They come TO national
possession with the warning example in our
eyes of the entail of iniquties in landed
proprietorship which other countries have
permitted and still suffer.
We have no excuse for the violation Of
principles cogently taught by reason Of ex-
ample, nor for the allowance Of pretexts
| which have sometimes exposed our land 10
colossal greed. Laws which open n door TO
fraudulent acquisition or administration
which permits favor TO rapacious seizure by
q favored few of expanded areas that many
against our National welfare and humanity
not to be too severely condemned or pun
ished.
RESTORATION OF PUBLIC LANDS.
Our dear experience ought sufficiently to
urge the speedy enactment of measures OF
legislation which will confne the future
disposition Of our remaining agricultural
| lands TO the uses of actual husbandry and
genuine homes. Nor should our vast tracts
OF socaled desert lands be yielded up to
the monopoly or corporations or grasping
| individuals MS appears 10 be much the
| tendency under the existing statute. These
lands require but the supply Of water to
become fertile and productive. II is a
problem Of great moment how most wisely
| for the public good that factor shall he fur
| nished. / cannot but think IL perlous 10
suffer either these lands or the sources OF
their irrigation to fall into the hands of
monopoles which, by such means, may
exercise lordship over areas dependent on
their treatment for productiyeness Already
steps have been taken 10 secure accurate
and scientific information of the condition
which is the prime basis of intelligent
action. Until this shall be gained the course
of wisdom appears clearly TO lie In a suspcn-
sion of further disposal, which only prom
isos 10 create rights an'ngonistic 10 the COM
mon interest No harm can follow this eau
|
the public good presents no demand for
hasty disposition Of national ownership and
| control.
commend also the recommendations that
| nppropr late measures be taken to complete
| the adjustment OF various grants made 10 the
States for internal improvements, and OF
swampand ovorlowed lands, as well 10 adj
| Indicate aud finally determine the validity
and extent Of the numerous private land
claims. All these are elements OF great in
Justice and peril 10 the settlers upon the To-
calities affected, and now that their exist
cnce cannot be avoided, no duty Is more
pressing than 10 fix. as soon rs possible, their
bounds and terminate the threats Of trouble
which arise from uncertainty.
THE INDIAN QUESTION.
The condition Of our Indian population
continues 10 improve, and the proofs null
| tiply that the transforming change so much
| To be desired, which shall substitute for bar
| barism enlightened and civilized education,
is In favorable progress. Our relations with
these people during the year have been dis
| uirbcd by no serious disorders, but rather
| marked better realization ~ their true inter
csts and increasing confidence and good will.
These conditions testify to the value OF the
| higher tone OF consideration and humanity,
| which has governed the latter methods OF
| dealing with them, and commcnds It's CON
tinued observance. Allotmcnts In seyeralty
have teen made on some reservations until
all those entitled 10 land thereon have had
| their shares assigned aud the work Is still
continued. In directing the execution
OF this duty | have not aimed 80
much az rapid dispatch rs % secure
lust and fair Arrangements which shall
best co induce 10 the objects Of the law by
producing satisfaction with the results Of the
nllotmcnts made. No measure of general
1 A ii.
| moro may be fairly hopcd, II IL shall bc dis.
crecily administered. II prefers opportunity
aud inducomcnt 10 that independence Of
| spirit which the Indian peculiarly needs,
| while az the same time the innlicnnbility Of
title affords security against the risk his In
experience of affairs or weakness Of charac-
ter may expose him 10 IN dealing with
others. Whoncycr begun ON any rcscrya
ton IL should be made complete. NJ that all
arc brought 20 the same condition, and NJ
soon rs community In lands should cease,
hy opening such rs remains unsettled g. set.
Element contact with the ways 81 indus.
irious and successful farmers will perhaps
add healthy emulation which will both
instruct and stimulate. Bat no agency
Tor the amclioiation OF this people
/ appears 10 me a. promising, or the
extension urged by the Secretary Of such
complete facilities Of education ~ shall at
the earliest day ombrace all tcaehable In.
dian youth OF both sexes nnd retain them
with q kindly aud bcnoiiccnt hold until
their characters are formed and their iacul.
ties and dispositions tciincd 10 the SURE
| pursuit u some form OF useful industry.
The capacity II the Indian no longer needs
demonstration. II Is established. II 10.
mains 90 make the most Of ~, End when
that shall b. done the cure will be lifted,
the Indian race saved and the sin of their
oppression redeemed. The time Of ~ nc.
c0nplishmcnt depends upon the spirit and
justice with which IL shall b. prosecuted.
h cannot be too noon Cor the Indian nor for
the Interests aud good name Of the nation.
PENSIONS.
Tho number Of pensioners added 10 the
rolls during the fiscal ycar ended juno ~.
t,ss. T. GD.2j2. An increase Of pensions wa'
granted w ii,5iG cases. The names of ~, ~
pensioners were druppcd from the rolls dur.
rr the year for various causes, and NJ the
closs 81 the year the number % persons Of
{ 40 clas,es receiving Iensioss was as. 49,.
| Of these there wee 81 survivors 81 the Wal
nftsi2 iOTs5 widows u those VINO serve
in that war lO0GO soldiers 81 tho Mexican
war, and 5.iOi widows Of ssid soldiers.
, ono hundred aud two different rates pom
, ,ions are paid 10 ihc-c beaotciarics, ranging
! fom q 10 Sil0O6 per month. The amount
I paid fuf pensions during the fiscal year was
Z ,sS556, s1l.D2, being m Increase over the pro
crding year u 500, s20.22
. The expenses attending the MAINTENANCE,
/ and operation Of the Pension Bureau during
{ that period was ~ ~, 52tg7, making the en-
7 tire expenditures Of the Bureau ss20iS
JG57, being 2lH per cent OF the gros'
income and nearly ~ per cent ot The total cX
! Of l.WNHHFtFWNftN flWFWff III