Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-11-30
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
Joints Made by Secretary Noble in His An
/ nual Report

nual Report
WHAT Has BEEN ACCOMPLISHED BY THE DIFFTR-
EsT BUREAUS UNDER HIS coSTRoL--PRoGREss
OF THE INDIANS TOWARD CTTIzESsHIP-EAPID
SETTLEMENT OF PENSION CLAIMS.
Arapid but complete view Of tho operations
the Interior Department during the past
ear Is given by Secretary Noble in his annual
report He states that the general Land oihee
IL nearly abreast of its work; the Indian bureau
is accomplishing the rapid d;sintegration OF the
Indian reservations. the severance OF the trloal
relations and the education of the Indian
-outh. The pension Office is rapidly compiet-
+ z the allowance Of all pensions legally posi-
lie under the laws moving at the rate OF about
$1,000 a month; the census has been taken and
t. publications rapidly going on; the geoiogl-
al survey is keeping up its admirable work
and is selecting the reservoirs Tor the arid
lands OF the far west and southwest;
the railroad bureau Is making ready for
the MATURITY of the debts due from the slbsi-
died railroads. the Union Pacific and others;
the bureau of education. besides having dis
tributed the vast fund allowed the agricultural
COLLEGES for white and colored pupils in the
different states, is engaged in new plans for the
accumulation and distribution of information
useful for the schools and their better manage
ment and the patent Office having celebrated
and variety of its interesting and great inves-
LEGATIONS and patents. Besides all these the
management of the Yellowstone National Park.
the Yosemite National Park, the Sequoia Ma
tional Park. the Hot Springs of Arkansas and
OF the other institutions under the Secretary.
almost endless in number, il reviewed with
care and many valuable suggestions made as TO
each.
INDIANS BECOMING CITIZENS.
re reviews in detail the work of the import
ant bureaus connected with the department.
The history is given of the opening of the new
Indian purchases in Oklahoma, under the
proclamation of the President, on September
20. 1901 when nearly million acres were
taken bv settlers between noon and dark: while
ATS Indians were elevated to citizenship by
taking ailOtments of 160 acres each IL Is
stated that. as before. so ct this second contest
of thousands of our citizens seeking personal
advantages under the most exciting and trying
circumstances. the sense of justice and regard
Tor law controlled all alike to such degree
that there was no occasion for interference by
military force. and the only injuries received
were purely accidental
Over $1,000 Indians have already become
citizens of the United States and about 1000
more by taking their allotments have siSn:hed
their desire to become citizens 10 these num-
bers should be added the 1913 Indians in Okla
bona Who have taken agreed to take allot-
merts. A total of 1853 Indians naturalIzed
ard total of acres acquired for settlement; Of
about % 0000 900 during the present administra-
ton alone
THE IRRIGATION rRoELEM.
Mich prominence is given in the report en-
the subject of reservoirs and irrigation bitches
for storing surplus water of the streams and
conveying it to arid lands. Under existing laws
private corporations and associations are. the
Secretary suggests. given the control of the
water supply OF the vast domain that may be
reclaimed by irrigation and this field Is being
rapidly seized upon- The United States, by
existing legislation. does not retain sufficient
control While the expense of building these
reservoirs and bitches would be great
that the United States may not endeavor 20
undertake III, work il would seem to be
absolutely essential that there should be
reserved 70 the government power of for
fixture and resumption in case o: great abuse.
or conflict of interest between the states. or OF
allr- -g TIE irrigation of the fields described
to T. 4nto the hands of mOnopoiists without
sufficient protection for the people. Under
the act OF March 8. 1891. relating to this sub
ject. there hi ye already been filed maps of To-
cations OF sIxty-one reservoirs and forty-six
canals the canals and bitches being 63l.65
miles il length. The Secretary deems this
sUbjecI one of great and pressing importance
and renewing the recommendations made in
his previous report urges that Congress be
advised to enact. without delay. comprehen-
sive laws determining the national policy upon
this subject
PAYMENT OF PENSIONS
The Secretary refers to the relief afforded |
by the act of June q. 1890. to thousands of
disabled veterans and their dependent rela- |
tives. who through lapse of time are not able
10 prove the origin of disability in the line OF
duty as required by prior enaetments. While
the amount expended in payment of pensions
Is large there is no purpose, in the opinion of
the Secretary. to which II could be more benefi-
Gently applied than payments to those to
whom the nation owes Its preservation and
present greatness, and there is no Other ex-
penditure involving great an amour: that
would not be severely criticised and opposed
with the utmost resistance
1t Is shown that first payments have greatly
decreased in amounts. that the allowances of
original pensions will soon be made. that there
will then be great decline in the sum neces-
sary TO pay pensions, and the lists will rapidly
decline from death and other causes 1t is
predicted that the pensions viii, when the
highest point is reached. not exceed very
greatly the present sum. and be subject to a
great decrease Immediately after. The esti-
mate for 1898 is Sl4I, $50. 900.
HONESTY OF THE CENSUS.
The Secretary expresses the belief that the
eleventh census will stand as much fair and
honest criticism any work of the same mag
nitude heretofore done either a. home or
abroad The work has been done accurately
and more rapidly than at any previous census,
anu TIE great Dulh OF III IL completed Ihe per
capita cost has been about the same that of
the tenth censns and the estimated total cost
will. after allowing for the usual progressive
enhancement per capita cost OF successive CEN
suses. not exceed other enumeratious The
announcement OF the population November
%. 1880. as 81. 81. $50 has not been changed
and upon that announcement the a0portion-
ment law was passed nearly two wears sooner
than az prior census periods. II is estimated
by the superintendent of the census that to
complete the work. including the inquiries
authorized by Congress after the original au-
preparation Was made. will require "a further
appropriation of about Il, COG. OOJ
THE NATIONAL PARKI-
The Secretary suggests III .: the purpose of
Congress in placing the Yosemite Vale. Park
under the control OF the state OF ,lif mi , WIS
10 secure the perpetua.ion of its natu. al beauty
and att-activeness. and while authority was
conferred 20 lease certain portions. the proceeds
To DO applied 20 beneficial improvements this
was evidently intended 20 apply only TO such
portions should be necessary for appropriate
buildings for the entertainments OF tourists
without marring the natural features OF the
valley. Ii was not contemplated that i; should
be turned into a farm or stock ranch IL this
be the true construction the statute has been
uninterrupted by the management. and the
Secretary deeras the matter OF such importance