Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-12-04

tention, more than half of these being calls
from the pension claims. On the SJth OF
June last, though over 100000 new calls had
come in, there was not a single case that had
not been examined and answered.
1 concur in the recommendations OF the
Secretary that adequate and regular appro-
priations be continued for coast defense
works and ordnance. Plans have been prac-
tically agreed upon and there can be no good
reason for delaying the execution OF them;
while the defenseless state OF our seaports
furnishes an urgent reason for wise expedl-
tion.
The aid that has been extended to the mill
tia of the States generally and most appro-
priately designated the National Guard"
should be continued and enlarged. These
military organizations constitute, in large
sense, the army of the United States, while
about five sixths of the annual cost Of their
maintenance is betrayed by the States.
THE NAVY.
The construction and equipment of the new
ships for the navy have made very satisfact-
orv progress. Since March 4, 1889, nine new
vessels have been put in commission, and
during the winter four more, including one
monitor, will be added. The construct on OF
the other vessels authorized is being pushed,
both in the Government and private yards,
with every energy, and is being watched with
the most scrupulous care.
THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
The report of the Attorney General is, un-
der the law, submitted annually to Congress,
but as the Department of Justice is one or
the executive departments, some reference
to the work done is appropriate here. y
vigorous, and in the main an effective, effort
and punishment all violatOrs of the
law, but at the same time care
has been taken that frivolous and
technical Offenscs shall not be used to
swell the fees of officers or to harass we'll
disposed citizens. Especial attention Is
called to the facts in connection with the
prosecution of violators of the election laws
and of offenses against United States officers.
The number of convictions secured, very
many of them upon pleas of guilty,
WILL it is hoped, have a salutary,
restraining influence. There have been
several cases where postmasters appointed
by me have been subjected to violent inter
ference in the discharge of their duties and
prosecutions and personal violence of the
most extreme characters. Some of these
cases have been dealt with through the De-
partment of Justice, and in some cases the
post offices have been abolished or sus-
pended 1 have directed the Postmaster
General to pursue this course in al cases
where other efforts failed to secure fo- any
postmaster, not himself to blame, an oppor-
tunity peacefully to exercise the duties of his
e
efforts of the Department of Justice 10 bring
the particular offender to punishment.
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
The report of the Secretary of the Interior
exhibits with great fullness and clear ess the
vast work of that great department md the
satisfactory results attained. The Sugges-
tions made by him are earnestly com lended
to the consideration of Congress, though
they can not all be given pa ticular
mention here. The several acts Cf Con-
gress looking to the reducti m of
the larger Indian reservations, o the
more rapid settlement of the Indian upon
individual allotments and to the res )ratiOn
to the public domains of lands in e cess of
their needs have been largely carr ID into
effect, so far as the work was confidC to the
Executive. Agreements have been Concluded
since March 4, 1889, involving the ces sion to
the United States of about 14,726,G1 acres
of land. These contracts have, as req ired by
law, been submitted to Congress for Itifica
ton and for the appropriations nt .essary
to carry them into effect Those lth the
Sisston and Wahpeton, Sac and FON, Iowa,
Pottowatomies and absentee Shawn -as and
C9ur d'Alene tribes have not yet received
the sanction of Congress. Attention is also
called to the fact that the apprOp fiations
made in the case of the Sioux Indians have
not covered all the stipulated payments.
This should be promptly corrected. II an
agreement is confirmed all of its terms
should be complied with without delay and
full appropriations should be made.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
The Secretary of Agriculture deserves spec
ial attention in view of the fact that The year
has been marked in avery unusual degree by
agitation and organization among t. = farm
ers, looking to increase in the profits or their
business. 1t will be found that the efforts of
the department have been int igently
and zealously devoted to the promotion
of the interests entrusted to it. care.
The efforts of the Secretary to estab ish the
healthfulness of our meats against he dis
paraging imputatiOns that have been put up
on them abroad have resulted in sub ot3ntial
progress. Veterinary surgeons sent out by
the department are now allowed to partici-
pate i'll the cattle from this country landed at
English docks, and during the several months
they have been on duty no case of contagious
pleuro pneumonia has been reported.
The information given by the Secretary of
the progress and prospects of the beet sugar
industry is full of interest. 1t has already
passed the experimental stage and IL com
mercial success. The area over which the
sugar beet can be successfully cultivated is
very large, and another field crop II great
value is offered to the choice of the farmer.
The Secretary of the Treasury conculs in the
recommendation of the Secretary Cf Agri-
culture that the official supervision provided
by the tariff law for sugar of domestic pro-
duction shall be transferred to the Depart
ment of Agriculture.
THE POSTAL SERVICE.
The report of the Postmaster e Ieneral
shows the most gratifying progress in the
important work committed to his direction.
The business methods have been greltly i'm
proved. A large economy in expenditure
and increase of 81, $50, 900 receipts have been
realized. The deficiency this year is
S5,7SS,3OO, as against S6,35O,1S3 last
year, Notwithstanding the great en-
largement of the service. Mail routes
have been extended and quckened
and greater accuracy and dispatch il distri-
button and delivery have been obtained. The
report will be found to be full of interest and
suggestions, not only to Congress, but to
those citizens who may be interested 20 know
what business methods can do for hat de-
partment of public administration which
most nearly touches all our people
The passage of the act to amend certain
sections of the Revised Statutes rel ilting to
lotteries, approved September 49, 90, has
been received with great and deserve l popu-
lar favor. The Post-ofiice Departn mt and
'he Department of Justice at once entered
upon the enforcement of the law W u SYM
pathetic vigOr, and already the pub mails
have been largely freed from the fr. Idulent
and demoralizing appeals and litera Ire en-
anating from the lottery companies.
THE PENSION BUREAU.
The disability pension act, which was ap-
proved on the 27th of June last, has zen put
into operation as rapidly as was pra ticable.
The increased clerical force, as prov led was
selected and assigned to work, and q consid-
cradle part of the force engaged in amina-
tons in the field was recalled and lded to
the working force of the office. Tn exam
nation and adjudication of claims
have, by reason of improved meth
DDS, been more rapid thai ever
before. There is no economy to the Govern
ment in delay, while there is much J ardship
and injustice to the soldier The ami ieipated
expenditure, while very large, will lot, it is
believed, be in excess of the estima g made
before the enactment of the law. THIS liber-