River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-12-04
Interinr Iisnartment.

SATISFACTORY RESULTS ATTAINED.
The report OF the Secretary OF the Interior
exhibits, with great fuliness and clearness, the
I vast work OF that department and the satisfac-
factory results attained. The suggestions
made by HIM are earnestly commended u the
consideration of Congress. though they can not
all be given particular mention here
REDUCTION OF INDIAN RESERVATIONS.
The several acts OF Congress looking 10 the
reduction Of the larger Indian reservat ons.
TO the more rapid settlement Of the Indians
upon individual allOttments, and the restOra-
tion to the public domain OF lands in excess OF
their needs. have been largely carried into
effect, So far as the work was contided 10 the
Executive. Agreements have been concluded
since March 4. 1889, involving the cession TO the
United States Of about 14,726Oo acres OF land.
These contracts have, as required 10y law,
been submitted TO Congress for ratification and
| for the appropriations necessary to carry them
] Into effect. Those with the Sisseton and Wah-
petOn Sac and Fox, Iowa, Pottawatomies aud
Absentee Shawnees and Occur dAlene tribes
have not vet received the sanction of Congress.
Attention is also called TO the fact that the APP
preparations made in the case OF the Sioux In
dams have not covered all the stipulated pay
ments. This should be promptly corrected. II an
agreement is confirmed all OF its terms should
I be complied with without delay, and full appro-
priations should be made.
LANDS FOR SETTLERS.
The policy outlined in my last annual mes
sage in relation to the patenting OF lands 10
/ settlers upon the public domain has been car
I ried out in the administration OF the Land Or.
/ tice. No general suspicion OF imputatton OF
fraud has been allowed To de ay the hearing an
I adjudication of individual cases upon their mer-
it,. The purpose has been to perfect the title
I the value OF the entry might not be swallowed
I up by the expenses and extortions to which
delay subjected the claimant The average
I increased about six thousand.
THE PENSION OFFICE.
! The disability pension act. which was ap
proved on the 2sth OF June last, has been put
I into operation as rapidly as practicable Tine
Z increased clerical force provided was selected
I aud assigned TO work. and a considerable part
/ Of the force Engaged in examinations II
/ the field was recalled and added to the work
y ing force OF the office. The examination and
l adjudication OF claims have, by reason OF i'm
! proved methods, been more rapid than ever
I before. There is no economy 10 the Govern
! ment in delay. while there Is much hardship
/ and injustice TO the soldiers. The anticipated
I expenditure. while very Urge, will not II i
| believed be in excess Of the estimates made
! before the enactment 81 the law. This liberia
/ general law should suggest more careful
| scrutiny OF bills for special relief both as &c
| the cases where relief is granted and as TO the
amount allowed.
AFFAIRS IN UTAH.
/ The increasing numbers and influence OF the
| non Mormon popu alton in Utah are OBJ
7 served with satisfaction. The recent letter o.
4 MILFORD Woodruff, president OF the hormor
( church. in which he advised his peop,e tic
refrain from contracting any marriage for
I hidden by the laws q the land" has attracted
I wide attention, and it is hoped that its infiu
Z ence will be highly beneficial in restraining
! attractions of the laws OF the United
/ States. But the fact should not b,
/ overlooked that the doctrine or belief
/ OF the church that polygamous marriages arr
1 rightful and supported by Divine revelation re
I mains unchanged. President Woodruff does
not renounce the doctrine. but refrains fro IN
! teaching IL. and advises against the practice o
IL because the law is against it. Now il is quite
true that the law should not attempt TO dea
with the faith or belief Of any one; but it Il
quite another thing. and the only safe thing, 81
I to deal with the Territory Of Utah as tha
those who believe polygamy to be rightful shall
I not have the power to make II lawful
TWO NEW STATES.
/ The admission OF the States OF Wyoming ant
I Idaho to the Union are events full OF interes
( and congratulatiOp. not only 10 the people o
| those States now happily endowed with a full
participation in our privileges and RESPONSE
biliiies, but TO all our people. Another he'll
/ OF States stretches from the Atlantic to th'
Pacific
I all sources vert high commentator. Thu
Z amount accomplished has been very largely in
creased. and an the results have been such al
TO secure confidence and consideration for tbs
/ suggestions Of the Commissioner.
THE CENSUS
{ The enumeration OF the people OF the Unitet
i States under the provisions OF the act OF Marel
/ !, 1880 has been completed and the result WI
I be az once officially comm unicated 10 Congress
I The completion Of this decennial enumeration
| devOlves upon Congress the duty OF making
/ new apportionment Of Representatives "amonl
/ the several States. according to their respect
i've numbers
USELESS PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
At the last session I had occasion to return
with my objections several bills making proVlS
ions for the erection Of public buildings for th'
/ reason that the expenditures contemplated
were n my opinion, greatly IN excess OF an
| able TO abuse. or TO degenerate into an unseen
| Is scramble about the public treasury thar
| this There should be exercised in this matte
and impartial examination and report as Z
| each case. under general law