The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-12-02
INTERIOR AFFAIRS.
The Public Lands, Pensions, Patentr,
Marmans and Puhlic RuiIdines

The Public Lands, Pensions, Patentr,
Mormons and Public Buildings.
Your favorable consideration is invited to the
report Of the secretary of the interior, given
with great fulness and clearness, of that great
department. and the satisfactory results at
tanned. The suggestions made by him are earn
e.tly and very closely recommended to the con-
sideration OF congress, though they cannot all
te given particular mention here. The several
acts of congress looking to the reduction OF the
larger Indian reservations to the more rapid set
Element OF the Indians upon individual sllot-
menis, and their restoration to the public do
main OF lands in excess of their needs, have
been largely carried into effect SO far as the
work was confided to the executive. Agree
ments have been concluded since March A,
1889, involving the cession to the United States
of about H. 900 acres OF land. These contracts
have, as required by law, been submitted to
congress for rat fcation, and for the approx ria,
tons necessary TO carry them into effect Those
with the sisseton and Wahpeton, sac and Fox
Iowa, Pottowottamies and Shawnee and Coeur
d'Alene tribes nave not yet received the sane
ton OF congress Attention Is also called to the
fact that the appropriations made in the case of
the Sioux Indians have not covered all the slip
ulated payments. They should be promptly
corrected. II any agreement is confirmed. ali of
as terms should be complied with without de-
Law and full compensstions should be made.
The policy outlined in my last annual mes
sage in relation TO the patenting of lands 10
settlers upon the public domain has been
carried out in the administration of the land
Office. No general suspicion of fraud has been
allowed to delay the hearing and adjudication
of Individual cases upon their merits. The
purpose mas been 70 perfect the title OF honest
settlers with such promptness that the value of
the entry might not be swallowed up by the
expense and extortons TO which delay sub
jected the claimant The average monthly
issue OF agricultural patents has been increased
about 5000
The disability pension act, which was ap-
proved on the 27th OF June last, has been pat
into operation as rapidly as practicable. The
increased clerical force provided was selected,
assigned to work, aud a considerable part 81 the
force engaged in the examinations in the field
was recalled and added 10 the working force OF
the Office. The examination and adjudication
OF claims have by reason of improyei methods
been more rapid than ever before There is no
economy to the government in delay while
there il much hardship and injustice to the
soldiers. The anticipated expenditure, while
very large. viii not, 1t is believed,
De in excess OF the estimates
made before the enactment of the law. Tnis
liberal enlargement of the general law should
suggest q more careful scrutiny OF bills Tor
special reIies. both Is to the case which is
granted and as to the amount allowed.
The increasing nuasber AID influence of the
nom Mormon population in Utah are observed
with Subtraction The letter OF Wilford Wood
ruff the president of the Mo-moa church, IN
which he advised his people 70 refrain from
contracting any marriage for0lddea by the laws
of the land il is hoped viii be highly henene-
isl 10 restraining infractions OF the United
states laws; but the fact should not be over
looked that the doctrine or oeliei
of the church that poiygamous mar
riages are rigntful aud supported oy
divine revelation remains unchanged. Prssi-
dent woodruff does not renounce the doctrine,
but refrains from teaching II, aad advises
against tae practice OF it because OF tae law
againstil Now, il is true tnat the isw saouid
not attempt 10 deal with the iaita or oelief o.
any one, but tnisis quite another thing, AID
me only safe thing Is To dea! tn the territory
al Utah so that those VINO believe poiygamy 20
be rign;ful snail not have the power 10 m axe it
lawful = /,
me admission OF the states OF wyoming and
Idaho 10 tue Union are events fuii OF inieres'
and CONCENTRATION not only 70 the people o;
| me sta,es happily enaowsG with fun partiel-
nation in orr privileges ana Fespo1siDsIitlsz.
nut 70 ali the people. Aao-ner ps1t OF states
stretches from the Atlantic 20 the Pae be
Inc work OF sns pstsnt oiiice Las woa ffom al