The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-12-07

POLTLAND DAILY PRES
structions. A torpedo has been
adopted, and the work OF constr NC
ton is now being carried on successfully.
We were without armor piercing steels anu
without shop instructed and equipped LOT
the construction of them. We are now
making what is believed to be q prolectiie
superior to any before in use. A smokeless
powder has been developed and $40"
burning powder for guns of large callore'
A high explosive, capable of use IN shells
fired from service guns has been found anu
the manufacture of gun cotton has been
developed so that the question OF supply Is
no longer in doubt. The development OF
naval militia which has been organized IN
eight States and brought into cordial
CO. operative relations with the
navy is another important achievement
There are now enlisted in these organlza-
lions 1900 men and they are likely to be
greatly extended. / recommend such legis-
lation and appropriations as will encourage
and develop this movement. The recon-
mendations of the secretary will receive the
friendly consideration of Congress. for he
has enioyed as he has deserved the conf
dence of all those interested in the de-
velopment of our navy without any diver
sion upon partisan lines. earnestly ex-
press the hope that work which has made
such noble progress may not now be stayed.
The wholesome influence for peace and the
increased sense of security which our citl-
I Il Nov. low when
these magnificent ships under the American
flag appear is already most gratefully ap-
parent. :,
The ships from our navy which will ap-
pear in the great naval parade next April IN
the harbor of New York will be convlnc-
ing demonstration to the world that the
United States is again naval power.
The Interior.
The work of the interior department, al
WAYS very bardensome, has been larger than
ever before during the administration of Sec
rotary Noble. The disability pension law,
the taking of the eleventh census, the open
ing of vast areas of Indian lands to settle
ment, the organization of Oklohama and the
negotiation for the cession of Indian lands
bOulC Va tliC pdl tACbAs'Ao "a oiAS 49,
creased work; and the results achieved
testify to the ability, fidelity and industry
of the head of the department and his
efficient assistants. Several important agree
| ments for the cession of Indian lands ne
| gotiated by the commission appointed under
| the act of March 2, 1889. are awaiting the
action Of Congress, perhaps the most i'm
portant of these is that for the cession of the
Cherokee strip. This region has been the
source of great vexation to the executive de-
partment and of great friction and unrest
between the settlers who desire to occupy 1t
| and the Indians who assert title.
The agreement which has been made by
| the commission is perhaps the most salts
factory that could have been reached. II
will be noticed that it is conditioned upon
| its ratification by Congress before March 4,
1898. The secretary of the interior who
has given the subject very careful thought
| recommends the ratification of the agree
| ment and am inclined to follow his recon-
mendation. Certain it is that some action
| by which this controversy shall be brought
to an end and these lands opened to settle
ment is urgent.
| The form of government provided by Con-
gress on May II, 1884, for Alaska was in
| its frame and purpose temporary. The in
| crease of population and the development OF
| some important mining and commercial in
terests make it imperative that the Law
should be revised and better provision made
| for the arrest and punishment of criminals
| The report of the secretary shows a. very
| gratifying state of facts as to the condition
| of the general land office. The work OF is
! suing agricultural patents, which seemed
! hopelessly in arrears when the present Sec
| retary undertook the duties of his Office, has
| been SO expedited that the bureau is now
upon current business. The relief thus af-
| forded to honest and worthy settlers upon
the public lands by giving to them an as
sured title, has been of incalculable benefit
| in developing the new States and the terri
| tories.
| The court of private land claims estab-
lished by Congress for the promotion of this
policy Of speedily settling contested land
titles is making satisfactory progress in its
work, and when the work is completed a
great impetus will be given to the develop
ment of those regions where unsettled claims
under Mexican grants have so long ex-
ercised their repressive influence. When tc
| these results are added the enormous
| cessions of Indian lands which have been
| opened to settlement, aggregating during
| this administration near 26,O00,0O0 acres
and the agreements negotiated and now
pending in Congress for ratification
| by which about 100000 additional
acres will be opened to settlement it will be
seen how much has been accomplished. The
work in the Indian bureau in the execution
of the policy of recent legislation has been
largely directed to two chief purposes: First
| the allotment of lands in severalty to the
Indians and the cesslon to the United
States of the surplus lands, and, secondly
| to the work of educating the Indian for his
| own protection in his closer contact with
the white man and for the intelligent ex-
ercise of his new citizenship. Allotmemts
have been made and patents issued to 5000
Indians under the present secretary and
commissioner and 1900 additional allot-
ments have been made for which patents
now in process of preparation
| The school attendance of Indian children
has been increased during that time over IL
per cent, the enrolment for 1892 being
nearly 10000. A uniform system Of schoo
text books and of study has been adopted
and the work in these national schools