Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-12-12

swell the injurious influence and to extend
the evil practices of any association that de,
fies our laws, should not only be denied
but dOmcile.
THE POsT-OFFICE.
The report of the POstmaster-Generai not
only exhibits the operations OF the depart
ment for the past fiscal year, but contains
many valuable suggestions for the improve
ment and extension of the service, which are
to your attention. No other
branch of the Govern ent has so close con-
tact with the daily life OF the people. Al.
most every one uses the service 1t offers, and
every hour gained in the transmission of the
great commercial mails has an actual and
possible value that only those
engaged in trade can understand.
The saving of one day in the Transmission Of
mails between New York and San Francisco,
which has recently been accomplished, Is
an incident worthy OF mention. The plan
suggested of a supervision OF the post Omces
In separate districts that shall involve in
struction and suggestion and range OF the
efficiency of the postmasters, would, have
no doubt, greatly improve the service.
The unsatisfactory condition of the law re-
1ating to the transmission through the mails
is clearly stated by the Postmaster-Generai,
and his suggestion as to amendments should
have your favorable consideration.
THE NAVY.
The report of the Secretary OF the Navy
shows reorganization of the bureaus of the
departments that will, I do not doubt, pro-
mote the efficiency of each. In general.
satisfactory progress has been made in the
construction of the new ships of waf author
lied by Congress. The first vessel Of the
new navy, the Dolphin, was subjected to
very severe trial tests and to very much
adverse criticism. But it is gratifying to be
able to state that cruise around the
world, from which she has recently
returned, has demonstrated that she is a
frst-c class vessel of her rate. The report of
the Secretary shows that while the effective
force of Tia navy is rapidly increasing by
reason of the improved build and armament
of the new ships, the number of our ships
fit for sea duty grows very slowly. We had
on the 4th of March last thirty seven ser
viceable ships, and though four have since
been added to the list the total has
not been increased, because in the
meantime four have been lost con-
demned. Twenty-six additional vessels
have been authorized and appropriated for,
but 1t is probable that when they are COM
pleted our list Will only be Increased to 81,
gain of five. The old wooden ships are dis
appearing almost as fast as the new ones are
added. The facts carry their own argument
One of the new ships may in fighting
strength be equal to two OF the old, but it
can not do the cruising duties of two.
1t is important, therefore, that we should
have a more rapid increase in the number of
servceable ships. concur in the recon-
mendation of the Secretary that the con-
struction of eight armored ships, three gun
boats and five torpedo boats be authorized
THE INDIAN QUESTION.
The report of the Secretary of the Interior
exhibits the transactions of the Government
with the Indian tribes. Substantial progress
dren of school age and in the allotment of
lands to adult Indians. 1t is to be regretted
that the policy of breaking up the tribal re-
lation and of dealing with the Indian as an
individual did not appear earlier in our leg
islatiOn. Large reservations used in com
maintenance authority
of the chiefs and headInen have deprived the
Individual of every incentive to the exercise
of thrift and the annuity has contributed an
affirmative impulse towards state of con-
firmed pauperism.
The last Congress enacted two distinct
laws relating to negotiations with the Sioux
Indians of Dakota for a relinquishment of a
portion of their lands to the United States
and for dividing the remainder into separate
reservations. Both were approved on the
same day, March 2. The one submitted to
the Indians was "A specific proposition. The
other (Sec of the Indian Appropriation
act) authorized the President to appoint
three Commissioners to negotiate with these
Indians for the accomplishment of some gen
eral purpose and required that
any agreement made should be
submitted to Congress for ratification.
On the 10th day of April last appointed
Hon. Charles Foster, of Ohio, Hon. William
Warner, of Missouri, and Major General
George Cook, of the United States army,
Commissioners under the last named law.
They were, however, authorized and direct
ed first to submit to the Indians the definite
proposition made to them by the act first
mentioned and only in the event of failure
to secure the assent of the requisite number
to that proposition to open negotiations for
modified terms under the other act. The
work of the Commission was prolonged and
arduous but the assent of the requisite mum
Der was, it is understood, finally obtained to
the proposition made by Congress.
The Commission provided for by section II
of the Indian Appropriation bill to negotiate
with the Cherokee Indians and all other In
dams owning or claiming lands lying west
of the ninety sixth degree of longitude, for
the cession to the United States of all such
lands, was organized June Is
last. Two conferences have been
held, but no definite results have appeared.
The cattle syndicate now occupying the
lands for grazing purposes is clearly one Of
the agencies responsible for the obstruction
of our negotiations with the CherOkees. The
large body of agricultural lands constituting
what is known as "the Cherokee Outlet
ought not to be, and indeed can not long be,
held for grazing and for the advantage OF a
few against the public interests and the best
advantages of the Indians themselves. The
United States has under the treaties certain
rights in these lands. These will not be used
oppressively, but it can not be allowed that
those who by sufferance occupy these lands
shall interpose to defeat the wise and bene-
ficent purposes of the Government.
livery urgently recommend that Congress
at once provide territorial governments for
the people of Oklahoma. Serious questions,
which may at any time lead to violent out
breaks, are awaiting the institution of
courts for their peaceful adjustment. The
American genius for self government has
been illustrated in Oklahoma, but it is
neither safe nor wise to leave these people
longer to the expedients which have tenn
porarily served them.
THE LAND LAWS.
In the administration of the land laws the
policy of facilitating, in every proper way the
adjustment of the honest claims of individual
settlers upon the public lands has been pur-
sued. The number of pending cases had, dur
ing the preceding Administration been
greatly increased under the operation Of
orders for a time suspending final action in
a large part OF the cases originating in the
West and Northwest, and by the subsequent
use of unusual methods OF examination.
Only those who are familiar with the con
ditiOns under which our agricultural lands
have been settled can appreciate the serious
and often fatal consequences to the settler OF
a policy that puts his title under suspicion,
or delays the issuance of his patents.
While care is taken to prevent and expose
fraud, it should not be imputed without
reason. The manifest purpose of the Home
stead and Pre- emption laws was to promote
the settlement of the public domain by per-
sons having bOnafi,e intent to make homes
upon the selected lands. Where this intent
is well established and the requirements of
the law have been substantially complied
with, the claimant is entitled to prompt
and friendly consideration of his case.