Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-12-12

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fies our laws, should not only be denied
citizenship but domicile.
THE POST OFFICE.
The report Of the Postmaster General 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
commended TO your attention. No other
branch of the Government has so close a con-
tact with the daily life of the people AL
most every one uses the service it 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 offices
in separate districts that shall involve in
struction and suggestion and a range of the
efficiency of the postmasters, would, have
no doubt, greatly improve the service.
The unsatisfactory condition Of the law re-
latng to the transmission through the mails
OF lottery advertisements and remittances
is clearly stated by the Postmaster General,
and his suggestion as to amendments should
have your favorable consideration.
THE NAVY.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy
department that will, 1 do not doubt, pro-
mote the efficiency of each. In general,
satisfactory progress has been made in the
construction of the new ships of war 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 a cruise around the
world, from which she has recently
returned, has demonstrated that she is a
first class vessel of her rate. The report of
the Secretary shows that while the effective
force of tl.e 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 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 or con-
demned. Twenty-six additional vessels
have been authorized and appropriated for,
but it is probable that when they are COM
pleted our list will only be increased to 81, a
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
serviceable ships. 1 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
has been made in the education of the chill
dren of school age and in the allotment of
tn 10 m ha cd
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
mon and the maintenance of the authority
of the chiefs and headmen have deprived the !
individual of every incentive to the exercise
of thrift and the annuity has cOntributec an
affirmative impulse towards a state of con-
firmed pauperism.
The last Congress enacted two distinct
laws relating to negotiations with the Sioux |
Indians of Dakota for a REIMBURSEMENT 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 ?. The one submitted to
the Indians was 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 18th day of April last 1 appointed |
Hon. Charles Foster, of Ohio, Hon. William
Warner, of Missouri, and Major General |
George Cook, of the United States army,
under the last named law.
They were, however, authorized and direct
ed first to submit TO the Indians the definite |
made to them by the act first
and only in the event of a 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 num-
Der was, it is understood, finally obtained to
the proposition made by Congress.
The Commission provided for by section IL
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 on June 20
asst Two conferences have been
held, but no definite results have appeared.
The cattle syndicate now occupying the
ands for grazing purposes is clearly one of
he agencies responsible for the obstruction
If our negotiations with the Cherokees. The
arge body of agricultural lands constituting
what is known as 1.-The Cherokee Outlet
leld for grazing and for the advantage of
ew against the public interests and the best
advantages of the Indians themselves. The
Jnited States has under the treaties certain
lights in these lands. These will not be used
but it can not be allowed that
hose who by sufferance occupy these lands
hall interpOSe to defeat the wise and bene-
icent purposes of the Government.
livery urgently recommend that Congress
t once provide a territorial government for
he people of Oklahoma. Serious questions,
which may at any time lead to violent out
reaks, are awaiting the institution of
ourts for their peaceful adjustment. The
american genius for self government has
cen Illustrated in Oklahoma, but it is
either safe nor wise to leave these people
onger to the expedients which have tenn
'orarily served them.
THE LAND LAWS.
In the administration of the land laws the
olicy of facilitating, in every proper way the
djustment of the honest claims of individual
ettlers upon the public lands has been pur
ued. The number of pending cases had, dur
lg the preceding Administration been !
realty increased under the operation of
riders for a time suSpending final action in | {
large part of the cases originating IN the {
7 est and Northwest, and by the subsequent ..
sc of unusual methods of examination.
Only those who are familiar with the con-
itious unOSA WHICH OuI
ave been settled can appreciate the serious
nd often fatal consequences to the settler of
policy that puts his title under suspicion,
r delays the issuance of his patents.
While care is taken to prevent and expose
aud, it should not be imputed without
easOn. The manifest purpose of the Home
-ead and Pre- emptiOn laws was to promote :
he settlement of the public domain by per-
pms having bonafide intent to make homes {
pom the selected lands. Where this intent 1
well established and the requirements of
lie law have been substantially complied {
it'll, the claimant is entitled to q prompt !
nd friendly consideration of his case.