Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1891-12-17

in the treasury has for years been the
subject OF unfavOrable criticism, and
furnished an argument to those who de-
sired the tariff placed on reform basis.
II was uniformly agreed that with
drawing from circulation so large sum
was an embarrassment TO the business
OF the country. and at intervals made
necessary the Intervention OF the de-
partment TO relieve threatened moneta-
~ panics.
on March j, 1889, the surplus was
SlS3, s27, 100 ~. 1t was thought better
TO apply this surplus TO the redemption
Of interest bearing securities OF the
United States than to deposit IL without
interest in national banks. There have
been redeemed since the date mention
cd OF interest bearing securities $685.
079,350, resulting In reduction OF In
terest Of Sll ,6S3,675. The money de-
posted In banks has been gradually
withdrawn and used in the redemption
OF bonds
At the date last above named the cir
culation was 81, 404, POS. S96, or S23. 03 per
capita. while on the first day Of Decem-
Der, 1891, 10 had increased to 81, 571, 262,-
070, or s24.3s per capita The offer to
holders OF Al per cent bonds TO extend
the time of redemption at the option OF
the government, at , per cent interest,
was accepted by the holders Of about
one-half the amount, and the unextend-
ed bonds are being redeemed on pre-
sentation.
The president then discusses army
and navy affairs, and makes recon-
inefdatiOns in regard TO the entrance OF
Chinese through the British posses
siOns into America
FREE MAIL DELIVERY.
Eight thousand miles OF new postal
service has been established upon rail-
roads, the car distribution TO sub-sta-
| tions In the great cities has been in
creased about u per cent, while the
percentage Of errors in distribution has
in the past year been reduced over one
half An appropriation was made for
the purpose OF experimenting on free
delivery in the smaller cities and towns. |
The results OF these experiments have
been so satisfactory that the postmaster
general recommends, and | concur IN
the recommendation. that the free de- /
livery system be entended TO towns of
1000 population. His discussion OF the /
inadequate facilities extended under our 1
present system TO rural communities, |
and his suggestion TO give these com /
munities fuller participation in the |
benefits OF the postal service are worthy |
Of your careful consideration. Il is not
Just that the farmer who receives his |
mail at the ne.ghboring town should not |
only be compelled to send TO the post /
Office for H. but 10 pay "a considerable /
rent for box In which to place IL, or
wait his time at IA general delivery win
dow, while the city resident has his /
mail brought to his door. 1t is stated 1
that over "a, 900 neigbborhoods are, un-
der the present system, receiving mail /
at postoliices where money orders and /
postal notes are not issued. The eXten- |
sion Of this system TO these communi- |
ties is especially desirable, as the pat
rons Of such Offices are not possessed OF /
the other facilities offered in more pop /
ulous communities for the transmission |
OF small sums OF money.
! have in message to the preceding |
congress, expressed my views as TO /
modified use Of the telegraph in connec- /
tion with the postal service.
Pensions.
The administration Of the pension /
bureau has been char acterized during
the year by great diligence. The total /
number of pensioners upon the roll on
the Both day OF June, 1891, was 616, 100.
There were allowed during the fiscal
year ending at that time 210, ,565 cases.
OF this number l02377 were allowed
under the law OF Jane 9th, 1890. The
issuing OF certificates has been proceed
ing at the rate Of 10000 per month,
about seyenty-live per cent Of these be-
ing cash under the new law. The com
missioner expresses the opiH ,on that he
ftsI ~. 4 al
allow $50, 600 claims during the present
fiscal year. The appropriation for the
payment OF pensions for the fiscal year,
1890 81. was Sl27, 6Sj, 7q3S9 and the
amount expended $40 so, $40. 20, leav-
ing an unexpended surplus - SO, 49,,
lI4.64 The commissioner is quite con
fidcnt that there will be no call this
year for a deficiency appropriation not
withstanding the rapidltv with
which tho work is now be-
ing pushed This mistake which
has been made by many in their eXag-
gerated estimates Of the cost OF PEN
sions is in not taking account OF the di-
minished value OF first payments under
the recent legislation These pay
ments, under tho general laws, have
been for many years very large, as the
pensions, when allowed, dated from the
time Of filing the claim, and most of
these claims had been pending for
years. The first payments under the
law of June 1890, are relatively small.
and rs the per cent OF these cases in
creases and that Of the old cases di-
minishes the annual aggregate of first
payments is largely reduced. While
these disbursements 10 the disabled
soldiers OF the great civil war are large
they do not realize the exaggerated es-
Inmates Of those who oppose this bene-
ficient legislation. The secretary OF
the interior shows with great inllness
the care that is taken TO exclude fraud
ulent claims and also the gratifying
fact that the persons to whom these
pensions are going are men who rem
dered, not slight, but substantial war
service.
lThe report OF the railroad commits
sioner is commented upon, and consid-
cradle space il devoted to the matter Of
public lands. POlygamy is denounced.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
II the establishment of the depart
ment of agriculture as regarded by anv
one as a mere concession 10 the unen
lightened demands Of worthy class OF
people. that impression has been most
effoctually removed by the great re-
suits already attained. It's home inilu-
ence has been very great in disseminat-
ing agricultural and horticultural in
formation; in stimulating and direct
ing a further diversiticatiOn OF crops;
in detecting and eradicating diseases OF
domestic animals; and more than all. in
the close and informal contact which il
has established and maintains with the
stock raisers OF the whold country.
For ten years protests ana petitions
upon this subject from the packers and
OF the United States have
been directed against these restrict tions
which so seriously limited our markets
and curtailed the profits OF the farm. 1t
is a source Of general congratulation
that success has at last been attained,
for the effects Of an enlarged forciga
market for these meats will be felt. not ;
only b. the farmer. hut in our pu bile
finances and in every branch OF trade.
Il is particularly fortunate that the in
creased demand for food products re-