The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1890-12-06

OIL, approved July IL. 1871, Has Deen au-
ministered by the secretary of the treasury
with an earnest purpose to get into circu-
lation at the earliest possible dates the full
monthly amounts in treasury notes n
templated by it's provisions and at the
same time to give to the market for silver
such support as the law cOntem-
plated. Some months of further trial will
necessary to determine the permanent
effect of the recent. legislation upon the
silver values, but it is gratifying to know
the increased circulation secured by the
act has exerted and will continue to exert
a most beneficial influence upon the bust
ness and upon general values. While it
has not been thought best to review for
mally the suggestion of an international
conference looking to an agreement touch
ing the full use of silver for coinage at a
uniform ratio, care has been taken to OBJ
serve closely any change in the situation
abroad, and no favorable opportunity will
believed. would confer very
large benefits upon the commerce of the
world.
H INTERNAL REVENUE RECEIPTS
increased nearly $12,OOO,O00, and the cost
OF collection was less by $90,6l7 than for
the same period in the preceding year.
The percentage of cost of collecting the
customs revenue wa less for the last fiscal
year than ever before.
THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
The report of the secretary of war ex-
hibits several gratifying results attained
the year. The percentage of de-
sertions from the army Gan evil which both
congress and the department have long
been seeking a remedy, has been reduced
during the past year 24S per cent, and for
the months of August and September, dur
ing which time the favorable objects of the
act of June 10Th were felt, 80 per cent as
compared with the same months of 1889.
The results attained by the reorganization
and consolidation of the divisions having
charge of the hospital and records of vol
unteer soldiers are very remarkable. This
change was effected in July, 1889, and at
that time there were 1864 cases awaiting
attention, more than half of these being
calls from the pension office for informa-
ton necessary to the adjudication of pen
sion claims. On the 3Oth day of June last,
though over three hundred thousand new
calls had come in, there was not a single
case that had not been examined and
answered. Iconcur in the recommends.
lions of the secretary that adequate and
1VNU 1GhukOAAo wv "
coast defense works and ordinance. The
encouragement extended to the militia of
the states generally and most appropriate
ly designated 'National Guard" should be
continued and enlarged.
THE REPORT OF Thu ATTORNEY GENERAL
is, under the law, submitted directly to
congress, but the president calls attention
to the election cases and the prosecution of
those interfering with postmasters in some
sections. He renews the recommendation
more full and searching inquiry into all
facts necessary to naturalization before
any certificates are granted.
THE REPoRToF THE POSTMASTER GENERAL
shows a most gratifying progress in the
important work committed to his direction.
The business methods have been greatly
improved. A large economy in expendi-
lures and an increase Of four and three
quarter millions in receipts has been
realized. The passage of an act to amend
certain sections of the revised statutes
RELATING To LOTTERIES
has been received with great and deserved
favor. The postof1ce department and de-
partment of Justice at onc entered upon
the enforcement of the law with sympa-
thetic vigOr, and already the public mails
have been largely freed from fraudulent
and dOmOraliZing appeals and literature
.emanating from lottery companies.
THE NAVY.
The construction and equipment of new
ships for the navy have made very salts
factory progress. Since March 4, 1889. nine
new vessels have been put in the commits.
sion and during this winter four more will
be added.
THE INDIAN QUESTION.
The president c0mmends the suggestions
of the secretary of the interior, and says:
Several acts of congress looking to the re-
duction of the larger Indian reservations,
to q more rapid settlement of Indians upon
individual allotments, and the restoration
to the public domains, which stands in ex.
cess of their needs, have been largely carried
into effect. 50 far as the work a been
cOnfided to the executive, agreements nave
been concluded since March 4, 1889, in.
yOiying the cession to the United States of
about 14,726 GOO acres of land. These con-
tracts have, as required by law, boen sub
mitted to congress for ratification n for
appropriations necessary to carry them
into effect. These with the Sisseton and
W8Qp0COu, 08C d4O EOA, AOW0s OeuOWoUe
mics and absentee Shawnees and several
alien tribes have not received the sanction
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 stipulated payments. This should
be promptly corrected. If the agreement is
confirmed all of its terms should be COM
piled with without delay, and full ap-
preparations should be made.
HARRIsoN's ~ANTI-sPARKs POLICY.
The policy outlined in my last annual
message in relation to the patentine of
lands to settlers upon public domain. has
been carried out in the administration Of
the land office. No general suspicion or
imputation of fraud has been allowed to
delay the hearing and adjudication of indi-
yidual cases upon their merits. The pur-
pose has been to perfect the title of honest
settlers with such prOMptness that the val
ne of the entire might not be swallowed
by the expenses and extOrtiOnS to which
delay subjected the claimant. The aver
age monthly issue of agricultural patents
has been increased about 5000.
THE DISABILITY PENSION ACT,
which was approved on the 9th of June
last, has been put into operation. as rap
idly as was practicable. The increased
clerical force provided was selected and as
signed to the work and a considerable part
Of the force engaged in examinations on
the field was recalled and added to the