Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-12-10

the shores OF the Atlantic and Of the Pa

the shores Of the Atlantic and Of the Pa
cihc.
The Status of the Indian.
The report Of tho secretary of the interior
shows that very gratifying progress has
been made In all of tho bureaus which make
up that complex and difficult department.
The work in the bureau Of Indian affairs
was perhaps never 30 large as now, and was
never more carefully conducted. Every
thing ese-rations, anuuities and tribal ne
gotiations with the agents, inspectors and
commissioners we distribute aud conduct
them-must pass away when the Indian has
become citizen. Then his relation to the
general government ceases, in great meas
ure. to be that Of ward; but the general
government ought not at once to put upon
the State or Territory the burden OF the
education OF his children. 1t will be noticed
from the report OF the commissioner OF In
dian affairs that already some contracts
have been made with the 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 tho mean
time the present educational provisions and
arrangements, the result of the best ex-
perience of those who have been charged
with this work. should be continued.
Tho relation of tho five civilized tribes
now occupying tho Indian Territory to tho
United States is not, ] believe, that best
calculated to promote the highest advanc e.
ment OF these Indians 1t seems to
me to be inevitable that there shall
be before long some organic changes in
the relation of these people TO the Unit ed
States, and these changes should certainly
involve tho acceptance of citizenship by the
indians and Il reprcscn tat,on in Congress.
These Indians should have opportunity to
present their claims and grievances upon
the floor, rather than, as now in the lobby
Pensions.
The administration OF tue pension bureau
has been characterized during the ycar by
great diligence. The total number OF peu-
sioners upon the roll on the 3Oth day Of
June, 1891, was GIG, 100. There were al :
lowed during the fiscal year ending at that
time 20J, $50 cases. OF this number 1922
35o were allowed under the law of June 81,
1890. The issuing OF certificates has bee n
proceeding at the rate of about 30, 900 per
month, about 10 per cent of thess being
cases under the new law. the commissioner
expresses the opinion that he will be able to
carefully adjudcate and allow 35J, 900
claims during the present fiscal year. The
appropriation for the payment of pensions
tor the fiscal year. 1S9J-9l, was S14LSSJ,-
193. 80 and the amount expended Sis, 80, =
Gi9.25, leaving A unoxpendcd surplus OF
500, 144S4. De commissioner is quite
confident that there will be no call this year
for deficiency appropriation. While these
disbursements to tue disabled soldiers of the
great civil war are large, they do not realiz;
the exaggerated, estimates of those who op-
pose this beniflcenU legislation.
The Territoriey,
The reportsof the secretary exhibits with
interesting tullness, the condition OF tho Ter
ritories. They have shared with til, States
the great increase in farm products aud are
bringing yearly large areas iuto cultivation
by extending thelr lrrigatnS canals. This
work Is being done by individuals or local
corporations, and IL this matter is mucn
longer neglected by tho government private
corporations will have unrestricted control
of one OF the elements Of life and the paten-
tees Of the arid lands will be tenants at will
of the water companies.
The legislation Of Congress for the repres
sion OF poygsmy has, after years of resist
auce on the part OF the Moruons at last
brought them 10 the conclusion that resist
| auce il Improbable and uuavaiiing. The
| power Of Congress over this subject should
not be surrendered until we have satisfac
tory evidence that tbs people OF the State tt
| be created would exercise the exclusive
power OF the State over this subject in The
same way.
| recommend that provisions be made for
the organization OF simple form Of tow
! government In Alaska with power TO reg
| late such matters as are usually in tn
States under municipal control.
The New Department.
II the establishment OF the department o
agriculture was regarded 10y any one as
mere concession to the Enlightened demanC
OF worthy class of people, that impression
has been most effect ually removed by tn
great results already attained. Its hom
influence has Dsen very great in disseminat
ing agricultural and horticultural intorma
ton; in stimulating and directing furthe
divers1cation of crops; in detecting au(
Graduating diseases OF domestic animals
and, more than AL, in the close and in
formal contact which it has established anC
maintained with the farmers and stock rails
ers OF the whole country. The Inspection
of cattle and pork products intended fol
shipment abroad has been the basi, Of tn
success which has attended our effort 10 50
cure the removal Of tho restrictions main
tanned by tue European governments. Tn
grain crop Of this year was the largest il
our history, % per cent greater than that o
last year, and yet the now markets tina
have been opened and the larger demand re
sultlng from short crops in Europe hav,
| sustained prices to such an extent that tn
enormous surplu. of meats and breadstuii
Will be marketed at good prices, bringing re
lief and prosperity To an industry that wa
much depressed
The Ciyil Service.
The report of the Civil Service commissio
should receive the careful attention Of tn
opponents as well as the friends of this re
form. 1t is not claimed that either is per
feet, but believe that the law is being ex
ecuted with Impair tiallty, and that the sys
TEN Is incomparably better and fairer tina
that OF appointments upon favor. | rec
commend that the appropriations for civ
service commission be made adequate to tn
increased work of the next fiscal year.
/ have twice before urgently called th
attention of Congress to the necessity of leg
isation for the protection of the lives c
railroad employees, but nothing has yet bee