Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-12-18

modern iylt. large enough 10 enaDie inns
country to display its flag in all the seas for
the protection OF its citizens and Of It's extend
Ing commerce.
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
The report of the Secretary of the Interior
shows that very gratifying progress has been
made in all of the bureaus which make up
that complex difficult department. The work
In the Bureau of Indian Affairs was, perhaps,
never so large now by reason OF the numer-
Gus negotiations which have been proceeding
with the tribes for reduction of the reserva-
tions, with the incident labor OF making allot-
ments, and was never more carefully conduct
ed. IL viii be noticed from the report or tho
Commissioner OF Indian Affairs that already
some contracts have been made with district
schools for the education OF Indian children.
There Is great advantage. think, in bringing
the Indian children into mixed schools. This
process will be gradual, and in meantime tho
present educational provisions and arrange
ments, the result OF the best experience or
those who have been charged with this work,
should be continued.
IL seems to 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 think IL desirable now TO suggest, even
II they were well defined in my own mind.
They should certainly involve the acceptance
alive in Congress. These Indians should have
opportunity TO present their claims and griev-
ances upon the floor rather than, as now, in
the lobby.
INDIAN LANDS.
The good work OF reducing the larger Indian
reservations by allotments In severalty 10 the
Indians, and the cession of the remaining
lands to the United States for disposition
under the homestead law has been prosecuted
during the year with energy and success. In
September last / was enabled to open TO
settlement in the Territory of Oklahoma eO0,-
COO acres Of land. all of which was taken up by
settlers in a single day. The rush for these
lands was accompanied by a great deal of ex-
element, but was happily free from incidents
OF violence.
II was a source of great regret that was not
able 10 open at the same time the surplus lands
OF the Cheyenne and ArapahOe reservation,
amounting to about 100000 acres by reason
OF the insufficiency of the appropriation for
making the allotments. Deserving and impa-
tient settlers are waiting To occupy these
lands, and urgently recommend that spe-
cial deficiency appropriation be promptly
made OF the small amount needed, so that the
aliotments may bo'competed and the surplus
lands opened in time to permit the settlers to
get upon their homesteads in the early spring
The negotiation for the release by the Chero-
KEGS Of their claim 10 the Cherokee strip has
made no substantial progress. 50 far as the de-
partment IS oticia lily advised, but IL IS still
hoped that the cession of this large and yalu-
able tract may be secured.
Since March 4. 1850. about 5000, 900 acres
have been separated from Indian reservations
and added TO the public domain, for the use of
those who desired 10 secure free homes under
our beneiicent laws.
THE LAND OFFICE.
was begun 10 bring up the work of the General
Land Office. BY faithful work the arrearages
have been rapidly reduced. At the end OF the
last fiscal year only s4l72 final agricultural
entries remained uudisposed of, and the Com
missioner reports that with the present force.
the work can be fully brought up by the end
OF the next fiscal year.
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 the 5Oth day of June.
1891, was 616, 100. There were allowed during
fiscal year ending at that time go j65 cases.
OF this number, l03,3Sl were allowed under the
law OF June y, 1870. The Issuing of certificates
has been proceeding at the rate Of about 10000
per month, about 20 per cent of these being
cases under the new law. The Commissioner
expresses the opinion that he will be able To
carefully adiudicate and allow 10000 claims
during the present fiscal year. The appro-
priation for the payment OF pensions for lS9O-l
was 81 .1,3s5,i93 50, and the amount expended
plus of S9,l5jli4 90. The Commissioner is
quite confident that there will he no
call this year for q deficiency appropriation.
Notwithstanding the Tapidity with which the
work Is being pushed. The mistake which has
been made by many in their exaggerated esti-
mates of the cost of pensions Is in not taking
account OF the diminished value of first pay
ments under the recent legislation. These
payments under the general law, have been
Tor many years very large, as the pensions,
when allowed. dated from the time of filing
the claim, and most Of these claims have been
pending for years. The first payments under
the law of June, $780, are relatively small. and,
as the per cent of the cash increases and that
of the old cash dimnishes, the annual aggre-
CRATE of first payments is largely reduced.
The Commissioners. under date of November l3,
fur nsLes me with the statement that during
the last four months ll3.l75 certificates We're
issued, -, s93 under the general law and Sj,2s2
under the act of June 81 1890 The average
first payment during these four months was
sl3l 65, while the average first payment upon
oil god Al rfn Iva. N.a Il inc
1891. WAS $3.50 %, being reduction in the aver
age first payments during these four months
of Sl07 IS.
The estimate for pension expenditures for
the fiscal year ending June 90, 1893, is Sl4i9j6.-
90, which, after a careful examination OF the
subject. the Commissioning is of the opinion
will be sufficient. While these disbursements
TO the disabled soldiers of the great civil war
are large they do not realize the exaggerated
estimates of those who oppose this benehcent
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 substantial, war service.
RAILROAD SUBSIDIES.
The report Of the Commissioner of Railroads
shows that the total debt of the subsidized
railroads to the United States was December
81, lo'O, Sil2; 6l3 W. large part Of this
no adequate provision for its payment. Some
policy for dealing with this debt. with a view
adopted. 1t is very difficult, well nigh inn
possible for SO large n body a. the Congress to
conduct the necessary negotiations and inves-
LEGATIONS. | therefore recommend that pro-
vision be made for the appointment of com
mission 10 agree upon aud report a plan for
dealing with this debt.
THE MORMON QUESTION.
The legislation of Congress for the repres-
sion OF polygamy has after years of resistance
on the part of the Mormons at last brought
them 10 the conclusion that resistance is I'M
profitable aud unavailing. The power of Con-
gress over this subject should not be sur
rendered until we have satisfactory 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 laws of CONGRESS against polygamy,
but rather would they make, enforce and
maintain such laws themselves IL absolutely
free to regulate the subject? We cannot
afford 10 experiment with this subject, for
when state is once constituted the act is
final, and any mistake irretrievable. No COM
pact in the enabling act could, in my opinion,
be binding or effective.
ALASKA.
/ recommend that provision be made for
the organization of simple form of town gov
arnnant In ALASKA vii Ia rower IN AZ such