The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-12-03

TIE people ara tD11E - No GzA44A - $50
part 81 the railroads 70 obtain these sour
ces ct vast wealth NOS intended for them
that should Be humored IN the least de-
gree beyond tie lar. Protests are greatly
Increasing. MAIDS BY parties who claim 70
have discovered valuable mineral deposits
upon the lands entered Is agricultural
Regarding the mining claims, the repszs
says there are several thousand old mining
applications, some dating back several
years, for which no entries have been
made. and the secretary rensws his former
recommendation shas delinquent appli-
cants Be co15pelled 70 complete proofs and
pay for the claims within the spetifsa time
or submit 70 forfeiture and cancellation II
wouid Re veil 70 hare Law passed making
. eertincate of entry bar 20 any mining
clxim based upon discovery made suhse-
quent 70 such entry.
The acting commissioner says special
agents report that etfoYts hsve been made
BY certain wealthy individuals and corpo-
rstions 70 fr-udusentiy acquire titles 70
large tracts Of coal lands. and says thai ex-
tensive bodies OF these lands. which gill
eventually be Of great value, are being IL
LEGALLY appropriated, the guards and re-
strisfions OF lay IS IL nov stands being
entirely insufficient TO prevent such mo-
nopoIy by inscriptions spectators.
IL Is recommended that thorough geo
ioRical survey be authorized by congress.
and thai the secretary be given discretion-
AIRY powers to reserve from sale all or any
portion Of lands supposed 20 contain coal.
and IL be deem II advisable. 70 lease for
period OF years the lands 80 reserved, upon
such conditions and restrictions ~ viii
compel the lessees TO furnish settlers with
coal At moderate price.
Strenuous efforts are being made by the
department 20 prevent and punish the IN
lawful approximation Of public timber by
individuals and corporations Referring
10 the dangers Of forest hres. ETC., thr~af-
ening our great forests. besides depreda-
tons, the secretary earnestly recommends
that congress appoint commission to take
into consideration the subject OF public
timber lands, with REV to ascertaining
the best method for their treatment. man
agement and preservation.
The secretary reviews the report of the
Commissioner Of patents. paris OF which
have been given before. aud indorses the
commissioners RECOMMENDATION. In re-
viewing the work of the geological survey.
the secretary says researches upon the
quick silver Of the Pacific slope and the
iron ores OF the Lake Superior region have
been especialIv important The metallic
product Of the United States. during 1888
amounts in value 10 $3.50, AS 413 In addi-
ton, non-metaliic minerals were produced
to The va!ue OF $50, 9i4 SIS. making total
OF e59f SIS .93l. The wealth OF the annual
niineral product OF the country continues
~ increase yearly The increase OF 1885.
1887 and 1888 Icing respectively 86tper cent.
49, per cent and 81 per cent. for each
year over It's predecessor. IL Is worthy OF
not@ that this increase Is largely In nom
metallic Minerals, the existsnce and uses
of which are made known through scien-
fific resources rather than thr ough the ap.
plication OF the old methods.
One of the most important works Of the
geological survey lie the study OF the soils
and he development OF methods for the
reclamation Of waste lands, and this work
is progressing well.
Indian affairs are treated at great length
in the report, and ehe staterne { is made
that the improvement Of the Indian ser
vice in all is branches has heen he earnest
purpose OF the present administration from
tha outset The selection of Indian agents
has been made with as much care as pos
ssbIs. and their course been looked after
with greater scrutiny, ID i believed. than
has heretofore been exercised. Contracts
for supplies have BEEN made under the most
vigiIant inspection. II the Indian agencies
can be made seats OF sobriety and morality
instead of what they so often have been,
places Of grossest iicsntiousness. the effect
OF elevating the Indians must be very great
I'D
by appropriations. i47 of which are con-
trolled directly by the Indian bureau. ana
the average attendance therein Is between
IL 600 and 1900 pupils. The number of
Indians In the United States (not including
Aiaskal Is about 10000. Thy occupy, or
have control OF. about lie. ESQ i06 acres.
The number OF children of school age is es-
timated az 5000. and under school age
10000.
The secretary urges the expansion Of the
present school system for the Indians. and
says that allotment of lands TO them ought
10 carry with il the privileges OF the white
mems schools, a well IS citizenship. The
cost OF such schools would come from the
Indians BY taxation of their lands or from
the government
Congress Is urged TO devise some means
to relieve unlawful intrusion upon Indian
lands; and regarding railroads through In
dian reservations. IL Is said to be important
that their existence shall not be suffered to
continue longer without necessary law
therefor, in order that the money paid by
companies for the rights-of-way NAV
be paid over 70 the indians or ex-
pended for their benefit. Congress IL also
urged to aulhortse. BY appropriate iegisla-
ton. "a investigation 81 al Indian dspre-
dstion eases. and make ample provision 10
enable the department to push the work.
Concerning the dependent pension ques-
ton. the secretary says he is not Disposed
90 confer npon all who may ask the money
OF the people and would have coafined 10
| weil-aseertained limits the claims of those
who mand pensions Nevertheless, a
| disregard OF those whose disability has be-
come since the var 50 great as 20 make
them cIepS".snt. would De unjust 20 them
and unworthy Of the country Legislation
/ Is suggested 60 remedy the defects in the
| law Regarding increase Of pensions for
widows ard children and partial disabilities
and Inequalities in the granting OF pen
sion - a soldier who had been dishonoT-
ably discharged. the secretary saws il was
| Ia strict construction OF law. bnt recon-
men1s distinct act be PASSED affecting al
| cases hereafter and prohibiting pension "a
any one iishonerably discharged
The rupert Of the com missioner Of rail-
| WAYS Is reviewed ~ length and several OF
his recommendation eoReurrel in.
The settlement Of the debs Of land grant
railroads has been So taglv discussed BY
congres. thai the secretary contents him.
.afS asfAs. s,~n-srxsvs.- fhn xsNw3 ~ 49, 49,,