The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-12-07
DEPARTMENT OF The INTERIOR
The Important Matter of tho Pacific
Railroad Debts,

The Important Matter of tho Pacific
Railroad Debts,
The work Of the Interior Department, always
very burdensome, has been larger Than ever
before during the administration of Secretary
Noble. The disability pension law, the taking
of The eleventh census, tile opening of vast areas
OF Indian lands TO settlement, the organization
OF Oklahoma aud the negotiations for the cession
OF Indian lands fu' nsb some OF the particulars
OF the Increased work, and the results achieved
testify the ability, fidelity and industry of the
head OF the department and his efficient
assistants.
Several important agreements for the cession
OF Indian lands. negotiated by The Iowa Com
mission appointed under the act of March q
1889. are awaiting the act OF Congress. Perhaps
the most Important OF these Is that for the Gee.
sion OF the Cherokee Strip. This has been a
source OF great yexation 10 the Executive repre-
sentative, and great friction ensued between the
settlers In lheir desire 10 occupy 1t and the
Indians VINO assert title. The agreement which
has been made by The commission is perhaps ibs
most satisfactory that could have been reached
IL Will be noticed that II Is conditioned upon its
ratification by Congress before March f. 1893
The Secretary OF the Interior. who has given the
subject careful thought, recommends the ratifi.
cation OF tDe agreemert and was inclined to
some action by which this controversy shall be
brought TO mend and the lands opened 10 settle.
ment II urgently needed.
The form OF government provided by Congress
on May IL. 1884, for Alaska was, In its frame
and purpose. temporary The increase OF popu-
iation and the development OF some Important
mining ana commercial interests make Ii impera-
tive that the law should be revised aud better
criminals.
The report Of the Secretary shows n very
gratifying state OF affairs as to the condition of
the General Land Once. The work OF issuing
agricultural patents. which seemed TO Do hone
lessly In arrears when the present Secretary I'M
dert0ok the dulles OF his office. has been SO ex.
pedted that tile bureau Is now upon current
business. The relief thus afforded 10 honest and
worthy settlers upon the public lands aud the
giving them ain assured title 20 their entries has
been OF iDcalculable benefit In developing the
new States and Territories. The Court OF Private
Land Claims, established by Congress for the
tested land titlesis making satisfactory progress
In It's Work. and when the work Is completed a
great Impetus VIII be given 10 the development OF
those regions where unsettled claims under
Mexican Rrants have long exerted their re.
prossive Influence. When 10 these results
are added tine cession Of Indian lands which
have been opened 10 settlement, aggregating
during ihis administration nearly &c, 0OO, 600
acres, and that agreements negotiated are now
pending in Congress for ratification by which
100000 additional acres will be opened 10
settlement, II VIII be seen how much has been
accomplished.
he work Ia the Indian Bureau in the execu.
lion OF the policy OF recent legislation has been
largely directed 10 two chief purposes-frst
1ie allotment OF lands In severaty to tile Indians
and the session OF surplus lands. aud, aecondiy
To the work Of educating the Indians for their
own protection. for close contact with the white
men and Tor the Intelligent exercise of new
citizenship. In all aliotmsnts have been made