Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-12-02

of the officers of this department, and
these patents may yet be issued upon
the presumption that Congress does not
intend that forfeiture shall be exscted
and there is no need of further delay.
There should certainly DO found some
where moral courage to give evidence of
title to railroads as it is given to individ-
| uals, il it is intended that any possible
forfeiture will not be insisted upon. The
obligation, however, fairly rests upon
Congress, and it is hoped the latter will
assume it and act without further delay.
Not only the railroad companies are in
| terested in the decision OF the matter,
but also the Government, the citizens
VITO purchased the land from the COM
paniss, relying upon the grant, and the
settlers, who, in anticipation of the res
toration of these lands to the public
domain, have settled upon them under
the homestead or other laws"
AS to such portions Of land grants to
railroads co-tarminous with those por-
tions of the roads still uncompleted, it is
estimated 5000 COO acres might be re-.
stored to the public domain by an imme-
diate declaration Of forfeiture.
| REGARDING MINERAL LANDS,
1t is reported that the work of examining
OK parte mineral entries is in arrears
about two years and a.half, and in con-
test cases abcut two months. There have
bsen Suspended lists Of railrosd select
ions involving 1851 ,207 acres, upon the
question whether the company shall be
required to furnish mineral affidavits
or not. The question presents
itself in regard to mineral lands
lying within the grant of rail.
roads running through mineral belts,
and which would otherwise, than be-
cause of their mineral character, be in
cluded within railroad grants. If legis.
lation ia not made on this subject the
department will have to decide by such
light as may be obtained as to the real
nature of the lands, whether mineral
or not, however difficult the inquiry may
be and whatever the responsibility
assumed.
Protests are greatly increasing, made
by parties claiming to have discovered
valuable mineral deposits upon lands
entered as agricultural.
| REGARDING MINING CLAIMS,
The report said there are several thou.
sand old mining applications, some dat
ing back many years, for which no en-
tries have been made, and the Secretary
ranews his former recommendations
that delinquent applicants be compelled
to complete their proofs and pay fol
claims within the specified time, or sub.
init to forfeiture and cancellation. II
would be we'll to have a law passed
making certificate Of entry bar to any
mining claim based upon discovery made
subsequent to the entry.
! COAL AND TIMBER PRESERVES.
The Acting Commissioner states thai
special agents report that efforts have
been made by certain wealthy individuals
and corporations to fraudulen.ly acquire
titles 10 large tracts of coal lands, and
says extensive bodies Of these lands,
which will eventually be of great value,
are being Illegally appropriated, the
guards and restrictions of the law, as il
now stands, being entirely insufficient to
prevent such monopoly by interruptions
lspeculators. 1t is recommended that q
thorough geological survey be authorized
by Congress, and the Secretary be given
Discretionary powers to preserve from
sale ell or any portion of lands supposed
to contain valuable coal, and if he
deem it advisable to lease for period Of
years lands SO reserved upon such con.
ditions and restrictions az will compel
the lessees to furnish settlers with coal al
moderate prices.
] Strenuous efforts are being made by
the department to prevent and punish
the unlawful appropriation OF public tim
Der by individuals and corpofations.
Referring to the dangers of forest fires
ETC., threatening our great forests, be-
sides depreciation, the Secretary earnestly
recommends that Congress appoint a
commission to take into consideration
the subject OF public timber lands, with a
view to ascertaining the best method TO,
their treatment. preservation or disposal
THE MINERAL OUTPUT.
In reviewing the work of the Geological
Survey, the Secretary says: Researches
upon the quicksilver of the Pacific Slope
and the iron ores ct the Lake Superio,
region have been especially important
The metallic products tf the United
States during 1883 amounted in value tc
| $3.50, 245, 40G. In sddition pon-metallic
minerals were produced to the value Of
1928, 9l4 ,528, making q total of 1929 $780,
93l. The wealth of the annual mineral
product of the country continues to in
crease, the yearly increase for 'S6, 1877,
'SS being respectively S64 per cent, 16 6
per cent and GA per cent for each year
over its predecessor. It is worthy Of note
that the increases largely in non-metallic
minerals, the existence and uses oil
which are made known through scientific
resources rather than through the appli.
cation of the old methods in the exploit.
atoms of minerals.
INDIAN AFFAIRS
Are treated at great length, and the
statement is made that the improvement
of the Indian service in all it's branches
has been the earnest purpose OF the pres
ent Administration from the outset. The
selection Of Indian agents has been made
with as much care as possible, and their
course has been looked after with greater
scrutiny, it is believed than has heretofore
been exercised. Contracts for supplies
have been made uuder the most vigilant
inspection. If the Indian agencies can be
made seats of sobriety and morality in
atead Of what they so often have been,
places Of the grossest licentiousness, the
effect in elevating the Indians
must be very great. There
are now 239 Indian schools, supported by
appropriations, 147 of which are con-
trolled directly by the Indian Bureau,
and the average attendance wherein is
between II, 900 and Il, 900 pupils.
The number Of Indians in the United
States (not counting Alaska) is about
250, 900. They occupy or have control