The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-12-14

are brought to the same condition, atfd, as
soon as possible, community In lands should
cease by opening such as remain unallotted TO
settlement. Contact with the ways of indus
trious and successful farmers will perhaps
add healthy emulation which will both in.
struct and stimulate
! NECESSITY OF EDUCATION.
But no agency for the ameloration of this
people appears to me 20 promising as che ex-
tension, urged by the secretary, of such com
plete facilities Of education a shall, at the
earliest possible day, embrace all teachable
Indian youth of both SEXES and retain them
with kindly and beueficent hold until their
characters are formed and their faculties and
dispositions trained to the sure pursuit
of some form of useful industry.
Capacity Of the Indian no longer
needs demonstration. 1t is established IL
remains to make the most of it, and when
that shall be done the curse will be lifted, the
Indian RAGS saved, aud the sin of their OPP
preston redeemed The time of its accom-
)lishment depends upon the spirit and justice
, With which it shall be prosecuted. 1t cannot
Je soon for the Indian, nor for the interests
| md good name of tue nation
The average attendance of Indian pupils
! m the schools increased by over 900 during
II
| 52l2 The cost of maintenance was not ma.
erially raised. The number of teachable
| indian youth is now estimated at 40, 900, or
early three times the enrolment of the
! chools 1t is believed the obstac es in the
way of instructing are all surmountable and
hat the necessary expenditure would be a
Measure of economy.
! The Sioux tribes on the great reservation
of Dakota refused TO assent to the act passed
by the congress at its last session for opening
a portion of their lands to settlement not
withstarding modification Of the terms was
suggested which met most Of their ebjec-
tions. Their demand is for immediate pay
ment of the full price Of 81. Is per acre for
the entire body OF land the occupancy Of
which they are asked to relinquish
The manner of submission insured their
fair understanding of the law, and their
action was undoubtedly as thoroughly intel
ngent as their capacity admitted. II is at
least gratifying that no reproach Of over
reaching can in any manner lie against the
government, however advisable the favora-
bic completion of ths negotiation may have
been esteemed.
i concur in the suggestions Of the secretary
regarding the Turtle Mountain Indians, the
two reservations IN California, and the Crees.
They should in my opinion receive immedi-
ate attention.
PENSIONS.
The number Of pensioners added to the rolls
during the fiscal year ended June 80, 1885, is
go, 252; and increase of pensions was granted
in As, T16 cases. The names of 1879 pen
sioners were dropped from the rolls during
the year for various causes, and at the close
of tho tho puu,har of of all
classes receiving pensions was 452, ,b57 OF
these there were sos survivors of the war of
1872 1O,7s7 widows Of those who served in
that war, 16, 060 soldiers of the Mexican war,
and 8, 10I widows Of said soldiers.
One hundred and two different rates OF
pensions are paid to these benefcaries,
ranging from 81 to s416 GO per month
The amount paid for pensions during the
fiscal year was S75, 775, ,S6l.92, being an in
crease over the prece ling year of s5,3Os,-
2SO.22 The expenses attending the mainten-
ance and operation of the pension bureau
during that period was s3, 262, ,52i. 81, making
the entire expenditures Of the bureau SS2,-
O3S, 1861, being 21if per cont. of the gross
income and nearly 81 per cent. of the total
expenditures OF the government during the
year.
REVISION OF PENSION LAWS
am thoroughly convinced that our gem
eral pension laws should be revised and adj
justed to meet, us far as possible in the
light of our experience all meritorious
cases. The fact that 102 different rates
OF pensions are paid cannot, in my opin-
Ion, be made consistent with justice to
the pensioners or to the government; and
the numerous private pension bills that are
passed, predicated upon the imperfection OF
l,, thatv s,,a, IN,
cases existing inequality and injustice lend
additional force to the recommendation for
revision of the General laws on this subject.
The laxity Q, ideas prevailing among
large number Of our people regarding pen
sions is becoming every day more marked.
The principles upon which they should be
granted are in danger Of being altogether
ignored, and already pensions ara often
claimed because the applicants are as much
entitled as other successful applicants rather
than upon any disability reasonably at
tributable to military service If the estab-
lishnent of vicious precedents be continued,
If the granting of pensions be not divorced
from partisan and other unworthy and irrel-
evant considerations, and il the honorable
name OF veteran unfairly becomes by these
means but another term for one who con-
stantly clamors for the aid of the govern
ment, there is danger that injury will be
done to the fame and patriotism Of many
whom our citizens all delight to honor, and
that prejudice will be aroused unjust to
meritorious applicants for pensions.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
The department of agriculture has contin-
ued, with good measure of success, its ef-
forts to develop the processes, enlarge the re-
suits, and augment the profits Of American
husbandry. 1t has collected and distributed
practical information, introduced and tested
nj W plants, checked the spread OF contagious
disease Of farm animals, resisted the ad'
vance of noxious insects and destructive fun
gus growths, and sought to secure to agricul-
tural labor the highest reward Of effort and
the fullest immunity from loss Its records
of the year show that the season of 1888 has
been one Of medium production. A gener-
ous supply of the demands of consumption
has been assured, and surplus for exporta-
tion, moderate in certain products and boun-
tiful in others, will prove a benefaction alike
to buyer and grower.
Four years ago it was found that the great
cattle industry of the country was endan-
gered, and those engaged in it were alarmed
at the rapid extension of the European lung
plague of pleuro-pneumonia. Serious out
breaks existed in Illinois, Missouri and Ken
tucky, and in Tennessee animals affected
were held in quarantine. Five counties In
New York and from one to four counties in
each Of the states of New Jersey. Pennsyl-
vania, Delaware and Maryland were almost
equally affected.
ERADICATION OF PIE LEURo-PNEUMoNIA.
With this great danger upon us, and with
the contagion already in the channels of COM
! merce, with the enormous dire,t and indirect
losses already being caused by it, and when
only prompt and energetic action could be
| successful, there were in none of these states
any laws authorizing this department to
eradicate the malady or giving the state
| officials power to cooperate with it for this
| purpose The department even lacked both
the requisite appropriation and authority.
By securing state cooperation III connec
tion with authority from congress, the work
of eradication has been pressed successfully
| this dreaded disease has been extirpated from
the western states and also from the eastern
states, with the exception Of a few restricted
areas, which are still under supervision. Tn,
danger has thus been removed, and trad,
and commerce have been freed from the vex
atious state restrictions which were deemeS
necessary for time.
During the past four years the process o
diffusion, as applied TO the manufacture o
sugar from sorghum aud sugar cane ha
been introduced into this country and full,
perfected by the experiments carried on b.
the department Of agriculture. This process
is now universally considered to be the mos
economical one, and it is through it that til
sorghum sugar industry has been establishe