The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 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-
hlbts with great fullness 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
ticuar 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 contided to the executive Agree
ments have been concluded since March d, 1889,
involving the cession to the United States of
about II, 726 900 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 Pottawattames and 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 in the case of the Sioux Indians have not
| covered all the stipulated payments This
s 81 be promptly corrected Il all agreement
with without delay and full appropriations 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.
| 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 thnt 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
| 5000. I".s
The disability pension act; switch was ap-
proved on the 9th OF June last, has been put
| into operation as rapidly was practicable
| The increased clerical force provided was Sc.
| lected and assigned to work. aud considerable
part OF the force engaged IN examinations on
| force OF the Office. The examination and adjus
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
OF the law. This liberal enlargement of the gen.
eral law should suggest q more careful scrutiny
OF bills for special relief, both to the cases
where relief is granted and as to the amount al
lowed. .->,' wv ''''> ~ '''
The increasing numbers and influence Of the
non Mormon portion in Utah are observed with
ruff, president of the Mormon church, in which
| he advised his people "to refrain from contract
tracted wide attention, and it is hoped that its
influence will be highly beneficial in restraining
all attractions Of the laws of the United States
| But the fact should not be overlooked that the
doctrine or belief of the church that polygamo Gus
marriages are rightful and supported by divine
| revelation remains unimpaired. President Wood
ruff does not renounce the doctrine but refrains
| from teaching it, and advises against the prac
| 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
50 to deal with the Territory Of Utah as that
those whSbeleve polygamy to be rghtful 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 congratulation, not only to the people of
those states. now happily endowed with full
ppsaIrIIGlclpatlon IN our privileges and RESPONSE
bilities, but to all our people. Another belt
Pacific. i .aJ-76-- 49, go 80
The work Of the patent Office has won from
all sources very high commendation. The
amount accomplished has been very largely in
creased land ali the results have been such as to
secure confidence and consideration for the sug-
gestions OF the commissioner = ma
The enumeration OF tie people OF the United
states under the provisions Of the act OF March
I, 1890, has been completed and the result will
be at once officially communicated to congress
The completion Of this decennal enumeration
devolves upon congress the duty OF making q
new apportionment of representatives ..among
the several states according to their respective
numbers. - - ~ 80 : $500