New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1890-12-10
MOBILES REPORT.
Review of the Work in the Department
of the Interior.


The report of the secretary of the interior ex-
hlbits with great fulness and clearness the vast
work OF that department and the satisfactory
results attained The suggestions made by him
are earnestly commended to the consideration
of congress, though they cannot all be given par
tlcular mention here.
The several acts Of congress looking to the re-
duction of the larger Indian reservations, to the
more rapid settlement OF the Indians upon indi-
vidual allotments, and the restoration to the
public domain of lands in excess OF their needs,
have been largely carried into effect. so far as
the work confided to the executive. Agree
ments have been concluded since March 4, 1889,
involving the cession to the United States of
about IA, 1925, 900 acres OF land. These con-
tracts have, required by law, been submitted
to congress for ratification and for the appro-
priations necessary to carry them into effect.
Those with the SiSseton and WahpetOn, Sac and
Fox, Iowa PottawattamieS and absentee
Shawnees and CCeur d Alene tribes have not re-
ceived the sanction OF congress Attention is
also called to the fact that the appropriations
made i'll 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 expectations should
be made.
The policy outlined in my last annual message
in relation to the patenting of lands to settlers
upon the public domain has been carried out in
the administration OF the land Office. No gen
eral suspicion OF imputation of fraud has been
allowed to delay the hearing and adjudication
OF individual cases upon their merits. The pur-
pose has been to perfect the title Of honest set
tiers with such promptnesS that the value of
the entry might not be swallowed up by the ex-
penses and extortious to which delay subjected
the claimant. The average monthly issue of
agricultural patents has been increased about
| 5000
| The disability pension act, which was ap-
| proved on the 9th OF June last has been put
| into operation as rapidly as was practicable.
| The increased clerical force provided was Sc
! lected and assigned to work. aud considerable
| part OF the force engaged IN examinations on
| the field was recalled and added to the working
| force OF the Office. The examination and adju-5
dication OF claims have, by reason OF improved
| methods, been more rapid than ever before
| There is no economy to the government in de-
| lay, while there is much hardship and injustice
| to the soldier. The anticipated expenditure,
while very large will not it is believed be in ex
cess OF the estimates made before the enactment
| OF the law. This liberal enlargement of the gem
OF bills for special relief. both as to the cases
| where relief is granted and to the amount al
| lowed.
The increasing numbers and influence OF the
| nom Mormon portion in Utah are observed with
satisfaction. The recent letter OF Milford Wood
ruff, president of the Mormon church, in which
/ ing any marriage forbidden by law" has at
| tracted wide attention, and it is hoped that it's
influence will be highly beneficial in restraining
all infraetions OF the laws of the United States.
| But the fact should not be overlooked that the
| doctrine Or belief of the church that polygamous
marriages are rigntful and supported by divine
| ruff does not the doctrine bur refrAins
| from teaching it, and advises against the prac-
| tiee of it because the law is against it. It is
/ quite true that the law should not attempt to
deal with the faith or belief of any one; but it
| is quite another thing. and the only safe thing,
! so to deal with the Territory of Utah as that
| those who believe poiygamy to be righuful shall
| not have the power to make it lawful.
The admission OF the States OF Wyoming and
| Idaho to the Union are events full OF interest
and coneratulation, not only to the people of
| those states. now happily endowed with a full
| participation in our privileges and RESPONSE
/ bilities, but to all our people. Another belt
| OF states stretches from the Atlantic to the
| Pacific.
The work of the patent Office has won from
all sources very high commendation The
amount accomplished has been very largely in
creased. and all the results have been such as to
secure confidence and consideration for the sug-
gastions OF the commissioner.
The enumeration OF TIE people of the United
States under the provisions OF the act of March
1, 1890, has been completed and the result will
be at once oflcially communicated to congress.
The completion of this decenllial enumeration
devolves upon congress the duty of making
new apportlonment of representatives among
the several states according to their respective
numbers