The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1890-12-04
MOBILES REPORT.
Review of the Work in the Department
of the Interior.

of the Interior.
The report of the secretary of the interior ex-
hbits with great fullness and cearness 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
ticular 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 was confded to the executive. Agree
ments have been concluded since March 4, 1889,
involving the cessiOn to the United States OF
about 14,726,OOO acres of land. These con-
tracts have, as 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 aud absentee
Shawnees and Cueur 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. If all agreement
is confirmed all of it's terms should be complied
with without delay and full appropriations should
be made.
The policy outlined in my last annual message
in relation to the patentng of lands to settlers
upon the public domain has been carried out in
the administration of the land office. No gen-
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 extortions 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, and a considerable
| part of the force engaged III examinations on
! the field was recalled and added to the working
| force of the Office. The examination and adju-
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 gen-
| eral law should suggest q more careful scrutiny
| of bills for special relief, both as to the cases
! where relief is granted and as to the amount al
! lowed. .sz ~
The increasing numbers and influence of the
non Mormon portion in Utah are observed with
satisfaction. The recent letter of Wiiford Wood
ruff president of the Mormon church, in which
he advised his people ito refrain from contract
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 infractions of the laws OF the United States.
But the fact should not be overlooked that the
marriages are rightful and supported by divine
revelation remains unimpaired. President Wood
iuff does not renounce the doctrine, but refrAins
| from teaching it, and advises against the prae-
| tice of it because the law Is against it. 1t 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 polygamy to be rightful shall
i 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 congratulation, not only to the people of
those states now happily endowed with 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
oil sources very high commendation. The
amount accomplished has been very largely i'll.
creased, and all the results have been such as to
secure confidence and consideration for the sug-
gestions of the commissioner.
1 The enumeration of tie people OF the United
States under the provisions of the act OF March
/, 1890, has been completed and the result will
be at once officially communicated to congress.
The completion of this decennial enumeration
devolves upon congress the duty of making a
new apportionment of representatives ''amone
the several states according to their respective
numbers !" &f