The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-12-10

vessels now under construction. il is believed
VIII be iriumphs Of naval engineering. When
Is recoliected that the work of building moder
navy was only Initiated in the year 1888. tina
our naval constructors and ship.bulders wer
practically without experience In the construc
tion Oh large iron oil steel Ships that our engine
shops were unfamiliar with great marine en-
glnes, and that the manufacture OF steel forging
Tor guns and plates was almost wholly a f0reigl
INDUSTRY, the progress that has been made Il
not only highly satisfactory, but furnishes tb,
assurance that the United States will reach
before long. In the construction of such yes
seIs, with their engines and ornaments. The
same pre-eminence which it attained when
the best instrument OF ocean commerce was the
clipper ship, and the most Impressive exhibit O
naval power the old wooden three-decker man
OI-war. 1he officers Of the navy and the pro
prietors and engineers or our great private shop.
nave res Ondet with wonderful Intelligence anC
professional zeal In the confidence expressed by
congress IN Its liberal legislation. We have now
at washington gun-.hOp, organized and con.
quoted by naval officers, that In its system
economy and product is unexcelled. Expert
ments with armor Ilates have been conducted
during Inc year with most important results. II
Is now believed that plate of higher resisting
power IMAM any now in Use has been found, and
tnat the tests have demonstrated that cheaper
me hods OF manufacture than those heretofore
thought necessary can be used. / commend tC
your favorable consideration the recommend a.
lions OF tie Secretary. who has am sue, given
10 them The most conscientious study. There
should be no hcsitancy in promptly completing
navy Of the best modern type, large enough 10
enable this country to display Its flag in all seas
Tor the protection of its citizens and of its eX-
tending commerce. The world needs no assur-
ance OF the peaceful purposes of the United
States, but we shall probably be, in the future
more largely contributors in the commerce OF
The world, ana 1t is essential to the dignity OF
this nation and 10 that peaceful Influence which il
should exercise Oh this hemisphere that its navy
should he adequate, both upon tile shores OF the
Atlantic and the Pacific.
The Interior Department.
The report of the Secretary OF the Interior
Ifftf..
made In all OF tn bureaus which make up that
complex aud difficult department.. The work in
the Bureau OF Indian Affairs was perhaps never
so large as now, by reason of the numerous nego-
tiattons which have been proceeding with the
tribes for a reduction Of the reservations with
the incident Labor of making allotments, and
was never more carefully conducted. The pro-
vision OF adequate school facilities for Indian
children and the locating OF adult Indians upon
farms involve Inc solution of the Indian ques-
Hon." Everything celebrations, annutieS and
tilbil negotiations with the agents, inspectors
and Commissioners who distribute and conduct
tn Unjust pass away when the Indian has be.
come Zen. secured in the individual own r
ship OF farm from which he derives his substst-
ence by his own labor, protected by and subordl-
nate TO The laws which govern the White man,
abd provided by the General Government or by
The local communities In which lie lives with
means Tor the education OF his children. When
an indian becomes citizen In an organized
State or Territory. his relation to the General
government ceases In great measure to be
that of ward, but the General Government
ought moi At once 10 put upon the State Terri
tory the burden Of the education of his children.
1t has been my thought that the Government
schools and school buildings upon The reserva-
lions would b aDsoI bed by this school system of
The States aud Territories, but as 1t has been
found necessary TO project the Iudan against
The compulsory alienation OF his land, by eX-
emptng him from taxation for period of
twenty-five years. ii would seem 10 be right that
the General Governmeut-fOr there are tribal
funds In It's possesslon-should pay to the School
Fund or the State what would be equivalent to
H.
dian. Il Will be noticed from the report of the
commissioner OF Indian Affairs that are ady
some contacts have been made with district
schools for the education OF Indian children.
There Is great advani age, | think in bringing
the Indian children into mixed schools. This
process VIII be gradual, and III the meantime the
present educational provisions aud arrange
ments-lhe result of the best experience of those
who have been charged with this work-should
he continued. This will eulbe those religious
bodies that have undertaken the work OF Indian
education with so much zeal and with results so
restraining aud benehcent, 10 place their insti-
tulions IN new and useful relations to the Indian
and his white neighbor.
Concerning the Indians.
The outbreak among the Sioux, which occurred
in December last, and its Causes and incidents,
have b. ell fully rerorted upon by the War De-
partment and he Department OF the Interior.
That these Indians had some just complaint, es-
pecaly III the matter OF the reduction OF the
app opTiation Tor ratons and In the delays at
tending the Ell. ctment OF laws to enable tn de-
paitment 10 perform the engagements entered
into with them, Is probably true; but the Sioux
tribes are naturally warlke aud turbulent, and
tle1r warriors were excited by their medicine
men and chiefs. who preached the coming of an
Indian Messiah who was 10 give them power 10
destroy their enemies. In view of the alarm that
prevailed among the white settlers near the res
eryatiOns, anda OF the fatal consequences that
would have resulted from an Indian incursion, l
placed al the disposal OF General Miles, COM
handing the DIVISION, all the arms that were
thought by him 10 be required. He is entitled 10
the credit OF having protected the settlers and OF
hii tui he iufn f1ia fiput
possible loss of life
The appropriation OF 81. 991, 45O for the Choc-
laws ana ChlckasaWs contained in the General
Indian Appropriation Bill of Marcn 3. 1891, has
not been expended for the reason that | have
not yet approved a release to the Government of
the Indian claim 10 The land. This matter will
be made The subject OF a special message, placing
before Congress all the facts Which hayr come 10
my knowledge, The relation of the five civil
lZed tribes now occupying The Indian Territory
10 the United States believe is not best cacu-
lated TO promote the highest advancement of
these indians That there should b. within our
bord rs 1--WE independent States having no rela-
tons, except those growing out OF treaties with
the Government of the United States, no repre-
sentalion in The nations L, glsatuIe, its people
not citizens, issa startling anomaly. 1t seems 10
me TO be Inevitable that there shall be before
long some organic changes In the relation OF
these people TO the United States. What form
these changes should take | do not tunk II de-
sifabie 10 suggest, even II they well defined
in my own mind. lhey should involve the ac-
ceptance of citizenship by the Indians and rep
have opportunity 10 present their claims and
grievances uuon the floor rather than as now, In
The lobby. If a commission should be appointed
10 visit these tribes to coulter with them upon the
whole subject, even If no agreement were pres
emily reached Tie feeling Of The ttIOeS upon this
question would be developed and discussion
would prepare The way for changes which must
come sooner or later The good work OF Ieduc-
ing the larger Indian reservations by aliotments
In seyelaity 10 the indians and the cesslun OF le
remaining lands TO The United States for DISPOSE
lion under the homestead law has been prose-
cuted during The year with energy anG SUCCESS.
Allotment OF Public Lands.
In September last [ was enabled to open TO
settlement the Territory of Oklahoma, $4,000
acres oil land. all OF which was taken up by set
ilers In single day. The rush Tor these lands
was accompanied by great deal of excitement,
Dut was Tree from Incidents OF violence. 1t was
source OF great regret That | was not able to
open at the same time the surplus land of the
Cheyenne ana Arapahoe Reservation, amount
ing to about 100000 acres, by reason of the
lnSulllclency OF appropriation for making The al
loiments. Deserving and impatient settlers are
waiting 10 occupy these lands, and recommend
that special deficiency appropriation be
promptly made OF The amount needed, so
that The allotment may be completed and surplus
upon their homesteads in tue early spring. Dur
ing the past summer the Cherokee Commission
has completed aIrang ments with the Wichita,
kickap0o and Tonka tribes, whereby if The
arrangements are ratified by Congress, over
100000 additional acres will be opened
to settlement in Oklahoma The negotiation
claim TO the Cherokee strip has made no sub
stantial progress, so far as the department Is
Off cially advised, but 1t Is still hoped that The
cesson Of this large and valuable tract may be
assured. The price which the commission was
authorized 10 offer-S1 % per acre-is in my
judgment. when all circumstances, as the title
aud the character of the lands are considered,
fair and adequate, aud should have been ac-
cepted by the Indians. Since March t. 1889,
about 23,00o.0o0 acres have been separated
from Indian reservations and added 10 the pub
JIG domain for lhe use of those who desire 10
secure free homes under our benehcent laws. 1t
is difficult 10 estimate the Increase of wealth
which Will result from the conversion of these
vast lands into farms. but Ii is more difficult 10
estimate the heteiment which will result 10 the
families that have found renewed hope and
courage in the ownership of a home and The as
surance OF a comfortable subsistence under free
and healthful conditions. 1t is also gratifying
70 be able to feel, as we may, that this work has
proceeded upon lines OF justice toward the In
dian, and that lie may now. If he Will. secure TO
himself the good Influences OF settled habita-
lon the fruit of industry aud the security OF ctl
zenship.
Private Land Claims,
Early In the administration a special effort
was begun to bring up the work of the General
Land Office by faithful work. The arrearages
have been raj idly reduced. At the end of the ast