Rock Island daily Argus., 1888-12-04

Another
tion seems 10 demand legislation Is that Of clerks
in postoffices and call special attention to the
repeated Recommendations Of the postmaster |
general for their classification Proper iegisla-
don of this character for the relief OF carriers in
inc free-delivery service has been frequent. Pro-
vision made for their promotion: for substitutes
for them vacation, for substitutes for holidays
and limiting their hours Of labor. Seven million |
dollars has been appropriated for the current |
year to provide for them, though the total num- |
Der Of offices where they are employed is but s5s
for the past fiscal year with an estimated increase
for the current year OF but 10, while the total
appropriation for all clerks in offices throughout
the United states is s., $4,000
The legislation affecting the relations of the |
government with railroads is in need of revision
While for the most part the railroad companies
throughout the country have cordially cooper
ated with the postoff1ce department in rendering
excellent service yet under the law as it stands,
while the compensation to them for CARRYING the
mail is limited and regulated, and although rail-
roads are made postroads by law, there is no au.
thority reposed anywhere to compel the owner of
a railroad 10 take and carry the United States
mail The only alternative provided by act Of
congress in Of refusal is for the postmaster
general to send mail forward by pony express.
This is but an illustration Of il-fitting legislation
reasonable and proper at the time OF its enact
ment, but long since outgrown and requiring re-
adjustment.
In the report of the secretary of the interior,
which will be laid before you, the condition OF
the various branches Of our domestic affairs con-
nected with that department and its operations
during the past year are fully exhibited But
brief reference 10 some of the subjects discussed
in this able and interesting report can here 10
made but | commend the entire report to the
attention of the congress, and trust that the
sensible and valuable recommendations 1t con-
tains will secure careful consideration. can not
too strenuously insist upon he Importance OF
| proper measures to insure right disposition OF
| our public lands, not only as matter OF present
| Justice, but in forecast Of the consequences TO
| future generations. The broad, rich
acres of our agricultural plains have
beeome m her s sHntrammeled gift to people CIVILIZED
and free upon which should rest, in we'll distrib-
| uted owner hip, the numerous homes of enlight-
| ened, equal and fratsrnal citizeus. They anne to
| national possession with the waring example in
eyes of the entail of iniquities in landed pro-
| prietorship, which other countries permitted and
still suffer. We have no excuse for the violation
of principles cogently taught by reason and ok
| ample, nor for the allowance of pretexts which
| have SO etmes exposed our land TO colossal
| greed. Laws which open the door 10 fraudulent
| acquisition administrations which permits
favor TO iapacious seizure by favored few Of ex-
| panded areas that many should en-
joy are accessory TO offenses against
| our national welfare and humanity
which are not to be too severely condemned or
| punished 1t is gratifying to know that some
thing has been done at last TO redress the in
| juries to people and check the perilous tendency
OF the reckless waste of national domain that over
| 5000, ,oA acres have been wrested from illegal
! usurpatiOn, improvldant grants and fraudulent
! entries and claims TO be taken for the homestead
| OF honest industry although less than the
greater areas thus unjustly lost-must afford a
profound qualification 10 rightfeelng citizens, as
IL is recompense for the labors and struggles of
the recovery.
Our dear experience ought sufficiently to urge
the speedy enactment OF measures of legisla-
tion which viii contine the future disposition of
our remaining agricultural lands to the uses of
actual husbandrs and genuine homes Nor should
our tracts Of so-caed desert lands be yielded
up to the monopoly of corporations or grasping
individuals as appears to be much the tendency
under the existing statute These lands require
but the supply of water to become fertile
and productive 1t is problem :. ,,;i Of
| good that factor shall be furnished. can but
think ii rerilous TO suffer either these lands or
the sources OF their irrigation TO fall into the
| hands OF monopolles, which by such means may
exercise lordship over areas dependent on their
treatment for productiveness. Already steps
have been taken to secure accurate and scientific
/ information If the conditions which is the prime
basis of intelligent action Until this shall be
gained the course of wisdom appears clearly TO
lie in a suspension OF further dis posa which only
promises create rights antagoniStic to the com
mon interest. No harm can follow this caution
ary conduct. The land will remain and the pub
lie good presents no demand for hasty dsposses-
sion of national ownership and control.
commend also the recommendations that ap-
propriate measures be taken to complete the ad-
justment of the various grants made TO the states
for internal improvements, and OF swamp and
overfowed lands, well as 10 adjudicate and
finally determine the validity and extent Of the
numerous private land claims. All these are
elements Of great injustice and peril TO the set
tiers upon the localities affected, and now that
their existence is more pressing we should fix as
soon as possible their bounds and terminate the
threats of trouble which arise from uncertainty.
The condition of our Indian population con.
| tuues TO improve, and the proofs multiply that
| the transforming change much TO be desired
! which shall substitute for barharism enlighten-
ment and civitizng education is in favorable pro
, | gress. Our relations with these people during
: | the wear have been disturb by no serious dis
orders, but rather marked by better realization
of their true interests and increasing confidence
| and good will. These conditions testify 10 the
| value of the higher tone of consideration and
, humanity which has governed the later methods
of dealing with them, and commend its continued
observance Allotments in severaity have been
+ made some reservations, until all those en-
. titled TO land thereon have had their shares as
signed, and the work is still continued In direct
ing the execution Of this duty | have moi
10 secure just and fair arrangements
which shall best coniucc 10 the objects of the
law by producing abstraction with the results OF
: the allotrnents made No measure of genera
effect has been entered on from which more may
he fairly hoped, if it shall be diScreetly admins
r6 IS fiat nd h RFos hdnc 6f sP aa ana m en-
I Indian peculiarly needs, while at the same tinit
the stability of title affords security against tbs
risks his inexperience of affairs or weakness Of
character may expose him TO in dealing witt
$ others Whenever begun upon any reservatiouh
: should be made complete, so that all are brought
9 to the same condition, and as soon as possible
community in lands should cease by opening
, such as remain unallotted to settlement. Fa
miiiarity with the ways of industries and sue
e cessful farmers will perhaps add a healthy emu
= lation which will both instruct and stimulate.
g But no agency for the amelioratou of this peo
pie appears to me so promising as the extension
= urged by the secretary, of such complete facili
/ ties of education shall at the earliest possibl
. day embrace all teachable Indian youths Of botl
$ sexes, and retain them with kindly and benef
= | cent hold until their characters are formed am
d their faculties and dispositions trained to tn
T sure pursuit of some form OF useful industry
It Capacity of the Indian no longer needs demon
n stration 1t is established; it remains to maxi
q the most of it, and when that shall be done tn
. curse will be lifted, the Indian race saved. an,
0 the sin of their oppression redeemed. The tim
of its accomplishment depends upon the spiri
e and Justice with which 1t shall be prosecuted.
l. cannot be too for the Indian nor for the in
e terests and good name of the nation.
e The average attendance of Indian schools in
. creased over 800 during the year and the tots
u enrolment reached 1879 The cost of mainter
+ anee not materially raised. The number O
> teachabe indian youth is now estimated at 40 00G
e or nearly three times the enrolment of tn
J. schools 1t is believed the obstacles in the way
. instructing all are surmountable and that th
y necessary expenditure would be measure c
II economy.
e The Sioux tribes on the great reservation o
% Dakota refused to assent to the act passed b
ie congress at its last session for opening POI
10 tion of their lands to settlement, notwitf
A. standing modification OF the terms wa
!, suggested which met most of the
u objections Their demand Is for immedia
payment OF the lux price OF Sl.2o per acre for tn
q entire body of land the occupancy of which the
~ are asked to relinquish. The manner Of submit
,s sion insured their fair understanding IF the Il
Is Is and their action was undoubtedly as thorough
"a intelligent as their capacity admitted 1t Is
~ least gratifying that reproach of overreachin
10 can in any manner be brought against the goverl
ne ment. however advisable the favorable compl
IN tion Of the negotiation may have been esteemet
] concur in the suggestion of the secretary n
garding the Turtle Mountain Indians the two re
IS ervations in California and the Crees They shonl
le in my opinion receive immediate attent. on.
70 The number of pensioners added to the rol
u during the fiscal year ended June 30 1888, is "a
% 252, aud an Increase of pensions was granted
Is 45,916 cases. The names of Is, 40 pensione
., were dropped from the rolls during the year f.
~ various causes and the close OF the year Il
VI " number OF persons of all classes receiving pc
iS sions was d., ,j57 Of these there were So6 sIl
vivors of the war Of 1872; 107 7s7 widows of tho.
u who served in that $3.50 soldiers of Il
n Mexican war, ant. 5,l0I widows of said soldier
u One hundred and two different rates of pension
* are paid to these heneficiares ranging fro
y, he So to sIi666 per month The amount paid fl
9 pensions during the fiscal year wsssS SIS rs SO Q
IA IA being an increase over the preceding year
lu s. 3S 22122
a, The expenses attending the maintenance al
Al an ope alton OF the pension bureau during tn
M m period was s. a62, 81, making the entire e
~ pendtures of the bureau So, ,03s 1856 81, being q
TI TI per cent Of the total expenditures OF the COVER
ue ment during the year
a a am thoroughly convinced that our gener
~ pension laws should be revised and adjusted
III meet as far possible, in the light of our g
. perience all meritorious cases The fact TIL
u l02 different rates of pensions paid can not
10 10 my opinion be made consistent with Justice
y the pensioners or to the government and q
no numerou private pension bills that are pass
oy predicated upon the imperfection of gener
rs laws, while they increase in many cases existi
inequality and injustice lend additional force
0 er the recommendation for the revision Of the ge