The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-12-07


relative efficiency oil different cOnsiruc-
tions. A torpedo mas been adopted aud
the work OF construction Is now being
carried on successfully without armor-
piercing shells, and without shop
equipped Tor the construction OF them.
We are now making what il believed
to DO q projectile superior to any before
in use. smokeless powder has been
developed and slow burning powder
for guns OF largo calibre. A high ex-
plosiyn, capable Of use in shells fired
from service guns, has been found, and
tho manufacture Of gun cotton has been
developed so that the question Of sup.
ply is no longer in doubt.
THE NAVAL MILITIA.
The development OF naval militia,
which has been organized in eight
states and brought into cordial and CO.
operative relations with the navy, is an
other important achievement. There
arenow enlisted in these organizations
1900 men, and they are likely TO be
greatly extended. recommend such
legislation and appropriations rs will
encourage and develope this movement.
The recommendations Of the secretary
will, do not doubt, receive the friend
" consideration OF Congress, for he has
enjoyed, as he has deserved. the conf
dence OF all those interested in the de-
velapmeut OF our navy, without any di-
vision upon partisan lines. l earnestly
express the hopo that u work which
has made such noble progress may not
now be stayed. The wholesome inhu-
ence for peace and the increased sense
OF security which our citizens domiCiled
in other lands feel when these magnifi.
cent ships under tho American flag mp
pear is already most gratefullyapparent.
The ships from our navy which will
appear in the great naval parade next
April in the harbor OF New York will
be convincing demonstration 10 tho
world that the United States is again q
naval power
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
The work of the interior department,
alwaysvery burdensome, has been larger
than ever before during the administra-
ton of Secretary Noble. The disability
pension law, the taking OF the Eleventh
census, the opening OF the vast areas OF
Indian lands to the public. the organi-
cation OF Oklahoma and the negotla-
tions for tho Cession OF Indian lands
furnish some Of the particulars Of the
Increased works, and the results
achieved testify to tho ability, fidelity,
and industry OF the head Of the depart
ment and his efficient assistants. Sew
eral important agreements for the ces-
sion OF Indian lands negotiated by the
commission appointed under tho act OF
March 9, 1889, arc awaiting the action OF
Congress. Perhaps the most important
of these is that Tor the cession OF tho
Cherokee strip. This region has been
the source OF great vexation to the eS-
ecutive department and OF great friction
and unrest between the settlers who de-
sire to occupy it and tho Indians who
assert title.
The agreement which has been made
by the commission is perhaps the most
satisfactory that could have been
reached. 1t will be noticed that it is
conditioned upon its ratification by
Congress before March 4, 1893. The
secretary OF the interior, who has given
the subject very careful thought,
recommends the ratification Of the
agreement, and am inclined to follow
his recommendation. Certain it is that
some action by which this controversy
shall be brought to an end and these
lands opened to settlement is urgent,
The form OF government provided by
Congress on May II, 1854, for Alaska
was, in its frame aud purpose tempo
-rary. The increase OF population and
the development OF some important
mining and commercial interests make
it imperative that tho law should be re-
vised and better provision made for the
arrest and punishment OF criminals.
The report of the secretary shows q
gratifying state OF facts as to the condi-
ton OF tho general land Office. The
work OF issuing agricultural patents,
which seemed to be hopelessly in ar
rears when the present secretary under
took the duties Of his office, has been so
expedited that tho bureau is now upon
current business. The relief thus af-
forded to honest and worthy settlers
upon the public lands, by giYngtothem
an assured title TO their entries, has
been Of incalculable benefit in develop
ing the new states and territories.
LAND CLAIMS,
Tho court of private land claims es-
tablished by Congress for the promo
ton Of this policy OF speedily solving
contested land titles is making satisiac-
tory progress in its work, and when the
work is completed great impetus will
be given TO the development oil those
regions where unsettled claims under
Mexican government have so long eX-
ercised their repressive influence.
When to these results are added the
enormous cessions OF Indian lands
which have been opened to settlement,
agpregatiug during this administration
nearly 26,0O0,000 acres, and the agree
mants negotiated and'now pending in
Congress for ratification, by which
about 100000 additional acres will be
opened 10 settlement, il will be seen
how much has been accomplished.
THE INDIAN POLICY,
The work in tho Indian bureau, in
the execution of the policy of recent
legislation, has been largely directed to
two chief purposes: First, the allot.
ment OF lands in severalty to The Iu-
dams and the cession to the United
States OF the surplus lands; and, second
Nv, to tho work OF educating the Indian
for his own protection in his closer con-
tact with tho white man, and Tor the
intelligent exercise OF his new citizen
ship. Ailotments have been made and
patents issued to $500 Indians under
the present secretary and commissioner
and 1900 additional allotments have