Omaha daily bee., 1892-12-05
TIE INTERIOR DEP1RTMENT

The annual report of the secretary of
the interior is II comprehensive review
OF the multifarious work of that depart
ment, with important recommendations
which should command the careful at
tention of congress. The department
has been conducted on business princi-
plies and the result is seen in important
reforms and improvements. 1t has
reached, under the present administra-
tion, its greatest expansion and it has
been brought to better working basis
than ever before.
Thus, for the first time in manyyears,
the general land Office is on current
business. The vast accumulation at
the date when the present administra-
tion came into power has been disposed
of, together with more than 100000
cases since, and, as Secretary Noble
says, 1.-The condition of this bureau no
longer carries any reproach against the
government" 1t is an interesting fact
that there has been issued under the
present administration more than
double the number of agricultural pat
ents issued under the preceding one,
the excess in the acreage being 37,659,-
$40 acres. 1t is also noteworthy that
the area of public lands surveyed under
the present administration is nearly
four times greater than during the
previous four years.
The secretary says with regard to
forest reserves that the policy adopted
by this administration has been most
beneiicent and far-reacning in its re-
suits, and he recommends that these
reservations receive protection. There
are now five national parks, which are
being we'll cared for and are regaining
their natural beauty and attractivenesS
Tho report shows that irrigation is
making steady progress with mos t
beneficial results. Regarding educa-
tional wo"ll among the Indians it has
greatly increased and improved in
efficiency. Nearly 10000 Indian chill
dren are enrolled in the schools, the in
crease during the last three years
amounting to IL per cent. Tho interest
that has been manifested by the present
administration in the welfare and ad-
vancement of the Indian has resulted, +,
y
lifting him still nearer to civilization
from the barbarism in which he was
found upon this continent. His physical
condition has been iml roved by either
supplying him with better iood, cloth
ing, and shelter, or encouraging him to
labor to mallorate his own condition. y
Twenty-5lX million acres oG land have
been restored to the pubic domain
through agreements negotiated with
Indian tribes, and 10000, 900 more acres
are embraced in agreements awaiting
ratification. The number of Indians
who have beaome citizens by taking
allotments of land is 5000. The work
of ullotting lands is in progress among
all tribes qualified to receive lands in
severalty and thus acquire citizenship.
The public forests continue to be
proved upon by trespassers, the value o.
timber lost in this way during the yeal
amounting to nearly $50O,0OO. The
forests are receiving better protection
than formerly, but it would seem thai
the government could very we'll afforC
to still further improve it. The fores
commissioner recommends a genera
law defining the conditions under whcf
timber may be taken from the public
lands and what shall constitute unaw
full taking OF the public timber, but it i
TO little purpose to make laws if the
power is not provided to enforce them
Referring to the debts of the Pacif
railroads to the government the secre
tary says that contrary to the impres
,t.,. Al
default to the government; they hav
paid yearly all that the law as define'
: by the supreme court OF the Unite
States requires them to pay. The sec
, retary urges thai some early legislatiy
. action be taken in the matter of proyid