The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-12-10

Provision should be made for NUMBERING
these tracts as lots and for patenting them
by such numbers and without reference %
section lines.
THE PENSION BUREAU.
The administration Of the pension bureau
has been characterized during the year by
great diligence. The total number of PEN
sioners upon the roll on June 80. 1891, was
616. 100. There we're allowed during the
fiscal year ending at that time $50, SOS cases.
OF this number 1O2, 3S7 were allowed
under the law of June %, 1890
The issuing Of certificates has been proceed
ing at the rate OF about 1000 per month,
and about IS per cent. of these being cases
under the new law. The commissioner ex-
presses the opinion that he will be able to
carefully adjudicate and allow $50. 900
claims during the present fiscal year. The
appropriation for the payment of pensions
flr the fiscal year 1S9J-'9I was Sl27. GS5.-
1913 S9, and the amount expended $ll8, 53J,-
GAG 70, leaving an unexpended surpluA. OF
50, l55, l4f Ct The commissioner is fhite
confident that there will be no call this year
for deficiency appropriation, notwith-
standing the rapldity with which the work
is being pushed. The mistake, which has
been made by many in their exaggerated
estimates of the cost Of pensions, is in not
taking account of the diminished value OF
the first payments under the recent legisla~
ton. These payments under the general
law have been, for many years, very large,
as the pensions when allowed dated from
the time of fling the claim, aad most of
thess 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 increases and that Of the
old cases diminishes, the annual aggregate
of first payments is largely reduced The
Commissioner, under date of Nov. Is, fur
saba ka aNns Nh,N
the last four months lib, US certificates
were issued, 1888 under the general
law aud 35 ,2S2 under the act of
June 81, 1890. The average first
payment during these four m)ns1s was
$l3l So, while the average first payment
upon cases allowed during the year ending
June 80, 1891 was $3.50 30 being reduction in
theaverage frat payments during these four
mo nths of $l07 4S. The estimate for pen
sion expenditures for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1898 is S144, $50 600, which, after a
careful examination of the subject, the com.
missioner is Of the opinion will DO sufficient.
While these disbursements to the
disabled soldiers of toe great civil
war are large, they do not realize the ex-
aggerated estimates of those who oppose
this benefcent legislation. The Secretary
of the Interior shows with great fullness the
care that is taken to exclude fraudulent
claims. and also the gratifying fact that the
persons to whom these pensions are going
are men who rendered not slight, but SUBJ
stantial war service.
THE SUBSIDIZED RAILROADS.
The report of the commissioner Of rail-
roads shows that the total deot of the sub
sidized railroads to the United States was,
on Dec. 81. 1890, $l12,5l2, 6l3 O6. A large
part of this debt is now fast approaching
maturity, with no adequate provision for
its payment Some policy for dealing with
this department. with view to its ultimate
collection should be at once adopted. 1t is
very difficult for so large e body as con-
gress to conduct the necessary negotiations
and investigation. l therefore recommend
that provision be made for a commission to
agree and report on plan for dealing with
this department.
THE CENSUS BUREAU.
The work Of the census bureau is now far
In advance, and the great bulk Of the labor
involved is completed. 1t will be a more
strictly statistical exhibit and less incum-
bered by essays than its immediate prede-
cessors. The methods pursued have been
fair, careful and intelligent, and have
secured the approval of the statlsticians,
who have followed them with scientific and
non-partisan interest. The appropriations
necessary to the early completion and pub
LEGATION OF the authorized volumes should
be given in time to secure them against de-
lays, which increase the cost and at the same
time diminish the value of the work.
CONDITION OF THE TERRITORIES.
The report of the secretary exhibits with
interesting fullnes the condition of the ter
rltories. They have shared with the states
the great increase in farm products and are
bringing yearly large areas into cultivation
by extending their irrigatin9 canals.
This work is being done by individuals or
local corporations, and without that system
which a full preliminary survey of the
water supply and of the !rrigable lands
would enable them to adopt. The future of
tina territories Of New Mexico, Arizona
and Utah in their ma eriai growth
happiness of their people is very
largely dependent upon wise and timely
legislation either by congress or their own
legislatures, regulating the distribution of
the water su Dply furnished by their streams
If this matter is much longer neglected
private corporations will have unrestricted
control of one of the elements of life and
the patentees OF the arid lands will be
tenants at will of the water companies,
The United States should part with its
ownership of the water sources and the sites
for reservoirs, whether to the states and
territories or to individuals or corporations.
only upon conditions that will insure TO tn a
settlers heir proper water supply on equal
and reasonable terms. In the territories this
whole subject is under the full control of
congress, and in the states it is practically
so as long as the COVE nmeut holds the title
to the reservoir sites and water sources and
can grant them upon such conditions as 1t
chooses to impose. The improvident grant
ing OF franchises of enormous value
wltnout recompense TO the
state or municipality from which
they proceed aud without proper protection
of the public interest is the most noticeable
and fragrant evil of modern legislation.
This fault should not be committed in deal
ing with subject that will, befJre many
years, affect many thousands of our people.
REPRESSION OF PoLYGAMY.
The legislation OF congress for the re-
preston of polygamy has, after years of re-
sista nee on the part Of the Mormons, at last
brought them to the conclusion that resist.
ance is unproftabls and unavaiiug The
power OF congress over this subject should
not be surrendered until we have satisfac.
tory evidence that the people of the state
to be created would exercise the
exclusive power of the state
over this subject in the same way. The
question is not whether these people now
obey the Flaws of congress against polyg-
amy, but rather would they make
enforce and maintain such laws
themselves if absolutely free &c
regulate the subject. We cannot afford "a
experiment with this subject, for when a
state is once constituted the actis final and
any mistake irre,rievaole. No compact in