Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1892-12-10
DEPARTMENT. WORK.
The Reports of Secretaries Noble
and Flkins
Work in the Department Of the Interior
for the Year.

The annu,l report OF Secretary Noble. os
the Interior Department, Is an intersstin :
document and covers fully an in detail the
operations OF the department. This volum
Of work accomplished during the present
Administration is shown 70 greatly exoee |
that of any preceding psrioi. THIS view Is
supported by con tensed summary prelim.
mary TO description OF toe work OF the
several bureaus under the direction OF the
Secretary for the last fiscal year.
The General Land Office has worked of
the vast accumulation Of former years aud
Is now ON current business gnestly to tbs
advantage OF Western settlers; the Indian
bureau has made great progress In elevat-
iug the various Indian tribes in the work
OF allotment OF lani in severaity 10 indi
ytdual Indians the consequent disintegra-
ton of their tribal relation, ami the de-
velopment OF schools. Great reform has
been accomplished In the purchase OF To-
dian supplies. The Pension Office has dis
posed OF an immense volume OF work and
has exceeded all former records in the num-
Der Of final adjudications. both original ami
1pou appeals executing the bsnsdceut laws
Tor the soldiers OF the Union. The Census
Office has finished nearly all Of its immense
and highly scientific work, and what re-
ma's1s is rauidly nearing completion.
The Geological Survey has progressei
Ireatly in ite Typographical survey OF the
States and Territories; in locating rsser-
Foirs for the irrigation of the arid lands. and
IN its other useful divisions. The Railroad,
Bureau has kept constant supervision OF tbs
condition OF the road beds and appur-
tenancss sud given careful consideration
to tbe question OF the maturing debts
Of the subsidized railroads and the
future conditions which should govern
them. The Patent Office has kept up with
current work, and has introduced several
important reforms. The Bureau OF f luca-i
ton has greatly extenie its operations in
tribution of the funds for agricultural
colleges difficult problem, has been salts
sactorily and efficiently han He'd.
Educational work among the Indians has
been greatly increased and imorovel In
efficiency. There has been an increase Of
over thirteen per cent m attendance Of
children in the schools. the total for 1892 be-
ng 10, 1893 scholars.
The reservation system Is being rapidly
broken u, and the allotmsnts of land in
Tufficieut quantity to enable each Indian to
nave a farm has developed a sense o. iudi-
Fidual importance and appreciation OF per-
IoDal power that is rapidly dIsiutegratiny
he tribal relations.
Wherever 1t Is possible the employment OF
indians in preferences TO whites. at the agen-
sizes and in schools is being practiced, and
many important positions are now hllet &C.
.eptably by educated In iiaus.
The Patent Office In preparing an exhibit
or the Worlds Fair which 1t Is represented
rill be very satisfactory one to the Gov
rnmeut. The total number Of applications
or patents during the year was 5,9f5.
Toe volume Of business handled and dis
oosed of by the Pension Once during the
oast year was enormous. There were on
tune 80, 1892, SO, 06S pensioners borne upon
The rolls, being l9J, 9S more than were on
The rolls at the Gloss OF the last fiscal
year. The total amount expended for PEN
hons during the year was ti39 035, 0i2.69,
aud II Is estimated that the appropriation
Tor 1898 Of $14t $50, 900 will leave deficit
sucy. Some idea OF the mnguitu ie OF tho
work can be formef from the fact that dur
ing the year s. 3T5, 100 pieces OF mail were re-
seive+, and 4, 3l6 $40 pieces sent out.
The Secretary presents a bill framsd TO
give Alaska a better government, aud Is
very earnest in his recommendation THAI
the condition OF the Territory rscsiv5 tho
attention OF Congress.
The report also contains an account OF ths
work up TO date on the Nicaragua Cana.
The Secretary expresses the opinion that
this enterprise Is OF the utmost i'm 2ortance
to the welfare OF the country in either peace
Or war, and should have the favor able rec
IGNITION OF Congress.