The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-12-09

form these changes should take he does
not think it DIES, rable now to suggest
They should certainly involve the &C
ceptance of citizenship by the Indians and
a representation in congress.
He also suggests that these Indians
should have an opportunity to present
their claims and grievances upon the floor,
rather as now, in the lobby. If commits
sion could be appointed to visit these tribes
to confer with them in friendly spirit
upon this whole subject, even if no agree
ment would be developed, discussion
would prepare the way for changes which
must come sooner or later The good work
of reducing the larger Indian reservations
by allotment in severalty to the Indians
and the cesson of the remaining lands to
the United States for disposition under the
homestead law has been prosecuted during
the year with energy and success.
Opening New Settlements.
In the territory of Oklahoma 100000
acres of land was opened last September,
nll of which was taken up by settlers in
single day. The rush for these lands was
accompanied by q great deal of excite
ment, but was, happily, free from in
cidents of violence 1t was a source of
great regret that the surplus lands of the
Cheyenne and Araphoe reservation was
not opened al the same time. amounting
to about 100000 acres, by reason of the in
sufliciency Of the appropriation for max
ing the allotments. Deserving and inn
patient settl rs are waiting to occupy
these lands, and he urgently recommends
that a special deficiency appropriation be
promptly made of the small amount
needed so that the allotments may be com
pleted and the surplus lands opened in
time to permit the settlers to get upon
their homestepds in the early spring.
During the past summer the Cherokee
commission have completed arrangements
with the Wichita, Kickapoo and Tonqana
tribes, whereby, if the agreements are
ratified by congress- over 500, 900 additional
acres will be opened to settlement in Okla
homa.
The negotiation for the release by the
Cherokee of their claim TO the Cherokee
strip has made no substantial progress, so
far as the department is officially advised,
but it is still hoped that the cession of
this large and valuable tract may be Sc
cured.
Court of Private Land Claims.
Attention is called to the difficulty pre-
scented by the secretary of the interior as
to the administration of the law of March
3, 1884, establishing court of private
land claims. The small holdings intended
to be protected by the law are estimated
at more than 15,0O0in number. The claim
ants are most deserving class and their
titles are supported by the strongest
Equities.
The difficulty grows out of the fact that
the lands have largely been surveyed ac-
cording to our methods while the hold
Of ha
same family for generations, are laid out
in narrow strips II few rods wide upon a
stream and running back to the hills for
pasturage and timber. Provision should
be made for numbering these tracts as lots
and for patenting thereby such numbers,
and without reference to section lines.
Our Pensioners.
The administration of the pension bu-
reau has been characterize d during the
year by great diligence. The total num-
Der of pensioners upon the roll ON the Both
day of June, 1891, was 6,6, 100, There were
allowed during the fiscal year ending at
that time 250,500 cases. OF this number
102, 1867 were allowed under the law of
June a. 1890
The issuing of certificates has been pro-
ceeding at the rate of about 10000 per
month, about 70 per cent. of these being
cases under the new law. The commits
soner expresses the opinion that he will
be able to carefully adjudicate and allow
100000 claims during the present fiscal
year The appropriation for the present
fiscal year, 1S90-'9l, was 1921 $50, 1913. So and
the amount expended $ll5, $50 $40 %, leav-
ing an uneXpended balance of 50, 155, IA. GA.
The president says with regard to this
important natter
The mistake which has been made by many
in their estimates of the cost of pensions is in
not taking account of the diminished value of
first payments under the recent legislation.
These payments, under the general law have
been for many years very large, as the pen
sons, 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, as the per cent. of these cases in.
creases, and that of the old cases diminshes
the annual aggregate of first payments i:
largely reduced.
Report on Railroads.
The report of the commissioner of rail
roads shows that the total debt of the
subsidized railroads in the United States
was, ON Dec. 81, 1890, $112, 5l2, 613.O6.
With regard to this important matter
the president says:
have twice before urgently called the atten
ton of congress to the necessity of Legislation
for the protection of the lives of railroad EN-
ployes, but nothing has yet been done. During
the year ending June 30, 1890 $50 brakemel
were killed and 7S4l MANNED while engaged il
coupling cars The total number of railroad
employees killed during the year was 24jl, ant
the number injured 1880. This is a cruel ant
largely needless sacrifice
Census Bureau.
The work of the census bureau is nov
far in advance, and nearly the great bull