The Globe-republican., 1891-12-17

ployment to several hundred thousand
Amercan men and women. In view Of the
somewhat overcrowded condition of tho
labor market OF the United States, every
patriotic citizen should rejoice at such .
result
hope the depression IN the price of silver
Is temporary and that further trial of ex-
listing legislation will more favorably affect
it. That the increased volume of currency
thus supplied for the use of the people was
needed and that beneficial results upon trade
and prlcee have followed this legislation
think must be very clear to everyone; nor
should it be forgotten that 70. every dollar
of these notes issued n full dollars
worth of silver bullion is at the time de-
posted in the treasury as security for its
redemption. Upon this subject. As upon the
tariff, my recommendation Is tIat the exist
ing laws be given full trial and that our
business interests be spared the distressing
influence which threats of radical changes
always imparts.
age OF silver under existing conditions would
disastrously affect our business interests at
home and abroad. We could not hope to
maintain an equality in the purchasing power
of the gold and silver dollar in our own mar
kets, and in foreign trade the stamp gives
no added value to the bullion contained In
coins. The producers of the country, Its
farmers and laborers. have the highest inter,
est that every dollar, paper or coin, Issued
by the government shall be as good as any
other.
Bi-metalism is the desired end, and the
true frieuas of silver will be careful not to
overrun the goal ana bring in silver mono
metalism, with its necessary attendants. the
loss of our gold to Europe and the relief OF
the pressure there for larger currency.
THE SURPLUS.
The presence of q large cash surplus in the
treasury has for many years been the subject
of much unfavorable criticism and has fur
nished an argument to those who have de-
nue. basis. It was agreed by all that the with
drawa! from circulation of so large an
amount of money was an embarrassment to
the business of the country and made neces-
sary the Intervention of the department at
frequent intervals to relieve threatened mon
etary panics. The surplus on March l, 1883,
was $183, S2, 1929. The policy OF applying
this surplus to the redemption of the interest
bearing securities of the United States was
thought to be preferable to that OF deposit:
ing it without interest in selected national
banks. There have been redeemed since the
date last mentioned of interest bearing Sc
curities $259, O79. $50, resulting in q reduction
of the annual interest charge OF 81, $500.
The money which had been deposited IN
banks without interest has been gradually
withdrawn and used in the redemption OF
bonds. 49,.
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT..
The relations of the five civilized tribes
now occupying the Indian territory to the
NJ 7 ia
lated to promote the highest advancement OF
these Indians. That there should be within
our borders five independent states, having
no relations except those growing out OF
treaties with the government of the United
States, no representation IN the the natlon 8
its people not citizens, Is start
ling anomaly. 1t seems to me to DE lnevlta-
BILE that there shall be before long some or
ganic changes in relation to these people to
the United States. What form these changes
should take do not think 1t desirable now
to suggest. even were they we'll defined IN
my own mind.
The good work of reducing the large In
dian reservations by allotments IN severalty
to the Indians, and the cesslon OF the re-
naming lands to the United States for dispo-
sition 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 or Okla
hOma SOC, 600 acres of land, all OF winch was
taken up by settlers in single day. The
rush for these lands was accompanied by
great deal of excitement, but was, happily,
free from incidents of violence.
1t was source of great regret that was
not able to open at the same time the sur
plus lands of the Cheyenne and Arapahoe
amounting to about 3,UO,Ooo
acres, by reason of the insuficiency OF the
for making the allotments.
Deserving and impatient settlers are waiting
to occupy these lands, and urgently recon-
mend 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 home
steads in the early spring.
During the past summer the Cherokee
has completed arrangements
with the Wichita, kickaDOO and Tonkawa
tribes whereby, if the agreements are rati;
fed by congress, over SOO,UOO addltlonai
acres will be opened to settlement In Okla
hOma.
The negotiations for the release by the
Cherokees of their claims to the Cherokee
strip has made no substantial progress, 60
far as the department is officially advised.
but it is still hoped that the cession of this
large and valuable tract may be secured.
The price which the commission was author
ICED to Otfer-One dollar ana quarter per
acre-is, in my judgment, when all the cir
cumstances as to the title and the character
Of the lands are considered, a fair and ade
auate one and should have been accepted by
The Indians.
The administration of the pension bureau
has been characterized during the year by
great diligence. The total number of pen
,ioners upon the roll on the 3Oth day of
June, 1891, was GIG, 16O. There were allowed
during the fiscal year ending at tina. time,
25O, 565 cases. Of this number 1O2, 387 were
allowed under the law of June q, 1880. The
issuing of certificates has been proceeding at
the rate of 10000 per month. about IS per
cent. of these being asked under the new
aw. The commissioner expresses the opin-
ION that he will be able to carefully adjudi-
cate and allow eco claims during the
present fiscal year. The appropriation for
.he payment of pensions for the fiscal year
1880. 81. was $1z7, s85, 1888, and the
amount expended, Sis, $50, 649.20, leaving
IN unexpended surplus of s., l55, 144.04. The
is quite confident that there
xfll be no call this year for q deficiency APP
notwithstanding the rapidity
With which the work is being pushed. The
mistake which has been made by many in
heir exaggerated estimates of the cost of
I'll. 81 h<1