The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-12-10

builders We're practically without experience
IN the construction OF large iron or steel ships
that our engine shops were unfamiliar with
great marine engines, and that the manutac-
ture o. steel forgings for guns and plates was
almost wholly n foreign industry. the pro-
rress that has been made is not only highly
satisfactory, but furnishes the assurance that
the United States will before long attain IN
the construction OF such vessels with thelr
engines and ornaments the same Pre-
eminerce which IL attained when the
best instrument of ocean commerce was tho
clipper ship and the FIRST impressive exhibit
OF naval power the old wooden three-decker
man-Of-war The officers of the navy and the
prODrietOrs and engineers OF our great private
shops have responded with wonderful inteli-
gence and professional zeal TO tho confidence
expressed by Congress in its liberal legisla
tiOn. We have now at Washington gun
shop organized and conducted by naval Off
GERS. that IN It's system, economy and product
is unexcelled Experiments with armor plate
have been conducted during the year
with M 81 important results. IL is now
believed that plate of higher resisting power
than any ID use has been found and that the
tests nave demonstrated that cheaper meth
obs o. manufacture than those heretofore
thought necessary can be- used. ! commend
10 your favorable consideration the recon-
mendatlons of the Secretary. who has. am
sure. gwen them the most conscientious
study. There should be no hesitation in
promptly completing a navy of the best
modern type, large senough TO enable this
country TO display its flag IN oil seas for the
protection of It, citizens and OF its extending
commerce The world needs no ssnrance OK
the peaceful purposes Of tie United States.
but we shall probably be in the future more
largely competitive in the commerce of the
world. and it is essential TO the dignity of this
nation. and 10 that peaceful influence which il
should exercise on this hemisphere that Is
uavv should be AIDE nate both on the shores
# the Atlantic and the Pacific.
INTERIOR DEPARTMENT
The report Of the Secretary Of the Interior
sh SIS that very gratifying progress has been
made IN all the bureaus which make uD that
complex and difficult department. The work
q the Bureau of Indian Affairs was perhaps
never so large as now by reason of the numer-
Gus negotiations which have been progressing
ia various tribes for n reduction Il the
reservations, with the incident labor max
ing aIOtuents. and was never more
carefully conducted. The provision OF ade-
Quafe school iaci tiles for indian children and
the 10 ating OF adult Indians upon farms Iu-
y0lve solution of the Indian Question:
Everything else. rat obs. annuites and tribal
negotiations with the sgents. inspect rs and
commissioners. WHO dlstTl cute and construct
them. must pass away when the Indian has
bee me "A citizen. secure in the individual
ownership OF - farm from winch lie derives
his subsistence by his own labor protected
by and subordinate TO the laws which govern
the white man and provided by the general
G. vernment or by the local communities IN
which he lives with the means of
educating bis children When an Indian
becomes citizen IN an organZed State or
Territory. his relation 10 the general Govern
ment ceases. in great measure. 70 be that OF "a
ward, but the general Government ought not
at once O. put upon the State OF Territory the
burden of the education of his children. H.
has been nv thought that the Government
schools and school buildings upon the reser-
vat.ons would be .eOrbea by the school sys-
terms Of the States and Territories out a. IL
has been found necessary 10 protect the
indian against the compulsory alienation OF
his land by exempting him from taxation for
q period OF twenty-five years, 1t wodld seem
90 be right that the general Government.
certainly where there are tribal tunis In It's
possession. should pay % the school fund OF
tie state what would be equivalent 10 the
Local school tax upon the property OF the
Indian.
INDIAN CHILDREN.
II will be noticed from the report of the
Comm ssiOner OF indian Affairs that already
some contracts have been made with district
schools for the education OF Indian children.
There is great advantage, think ~ bringing
the indian children into mixed schools. This
process Will be graiaa and in the meantime
the present educational provisions and ar
engagements the result Z the TEST experience
OF those charged with this work. sLOIt be
continued. This viii enable those religious
bodies that have undertaken the work of In
dian education. with 80 much zeal and re-
suits so restraining and beneficial. I place
their institutions in new and uselu. relations
TO the indian and las white neighbors.
TIE SIOUX OUTBREAK.
The outbreak among the Sioux which oc-
cured in December last sas 10 Its causes and
incidents fully Ieg Orted on by the War De-
partment and the Depart ueut of the Interior.
That these Ind NJ had some complaints
especially in the matter of reduction OF appro-
prlailOns. and all the details delaying The
enactment of laws TO enable tie depart
ment 10 perform the enga- ement5 entered
int with them. is probably true, but the
Sioux tribes are naturally warllAe and tur-
luleut, and their warriors were excited by
their medicine men and a chief. who preached
the coming OF an Indian Messiah, who was TO
give them power TO destroy their enemies
I'm view of the alarm that prevailed among
tie white settlers near the reservation and o.
the fatal consequences that would have re-
suited from an Indian incurslon, placed at he
disposal of General Miles. commanding the
division Of the Missouri, all such forces az
were thought bv him TO be required. lie Is
entitled to the credit of having given thor
ough protection to the settlers and of bring
ing the hOstles into subsection with the least
possible loss of life.
The appropriation Of :2.99l $50 for the
ChOctaws and Chickasaws contained IN the
general Indian appropriation bill of March 3.
1921, has not been expended for the reason
that have not approved of the Indian claims
10 the lands mentioned This matter will
be made the subject of a special message
placing before the Congress ali the facts
which have come TO my knowledge
STARTLING ANOMALY.
The relation of the five civilized tribes now
the Indian Territory TO the United
States is not. / believe, the best calculated to
promote the highest advancement ct these
indians. That there should be within our
borders five independent States. having
10 relations except those growing out OF
treaties with the Government of the United
States. no representation IN the national leg
islature-its people not citizens is a startling
anomaly IL seems 10 me to Toe inevitable
that there shall be before long some organic
changes in the relation Of these people 10 the
uited States What form these changes
should should take / do not think 1t desirable
now 70 suggest. even if they were well defined
in my own mind. They should certaiDlyinyolve
the acceptance of citizenship by the Indians
and a representation IN Congress. These
Indians should have opportunity 10 present
their claims and grievances upon the hOcr
rather than. As now. IN the lobby. II "a COM
mission could De appointed 10 Vlslt THESE
tribes TO confer with them IN friendly spirit
upon TINS whole subject, even II no agree
,,apt ,,,ara prneaptlv reached the feeling OF