Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-06

arrival of their armor. which has been unex-
| pectedly delayed. or they would have been be-
| fore this in commission.
Contracts have been let during this admins
| tration, under the appropriations for the
increase of the Navy. including new vessels and
| their appurtensnces, to the amount of
SIS, 700 900, and there has been expended
during the same period for labor at navy
yards upon similar work. ss. 000. 900 without
the smallest scandal or charge of fraud or par
| tialty- The enthusiasm and interest of our
naval officers. both of the staff and line have
been greatly kindled. They have responded
| magnificently to the confidence of Congress and
have demonstrated to the world an uuexcelled
capacity in construction, in ordnance. and IN
everything involved In the building, equipping.
and sailing Of great war ships.
| AT the beginning Of Secretary Tracy's ad-
ministration several difficult problems re-
manned to be grappled with and solved before
the efficiency in action of our ships could be
secured. 1t Is believed that as the result OF
new processes in the construction of armor
plate our later ships will be clothed with de-
| fensive plates OF higher resisting power than
are found on any war vessels aioat. We were
without torpedoes. Tests have been made to
ascertain the relative efficiency of different
constructions, torpedo has been adopted, and
the work of construction is now being carried
on successfully. We were without armor.
piercing shells, and without a sbop instructed
and equipped for the construction of them.
We are now making what is believed TO be
projectlie superior to any before in use A
smokeless powder has been developed, and a
slow-bnrning powder for guns of large caliber.
A high explosive. capable of use in shells fired
| from service guns, has been found and 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 and cooperative relations with
the Navy, is another important achievement.
| There are now enlisted in these organizations
| l.SO0 men. and they likely TO be greatly e1-
| tended. recommend such legislation and ap-
preparations as will encourage and develop this
| movement The recommendations OF the Secre-
/ tarv WILL do not doubt. receive the friendly
| consideration of Congress. for he has enjoyed
| as he has deserved, the confidence Of all those
/ interested in the development of our Navy.
without any division upon partisan lines. 1
earnestly express 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
| citizens domiciled in other lands feel when
these magnificent ships under the American
tag appear is already most gratefully apparent
l he ships from our Navy which will appear in
the great naval parade next April in the har-
Dor Of New York will be a convincing demon
stration to the world that the United states is
again naval power.
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
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. the opening OF vast
areas Of Indian lands to settlement. the organi-
cation of Oklahoma, and the negotiations for
the cession of Indian lands furnish some of the
rartlcularS Il.
suits achieved testify to 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 Commission
appointed under the act of March 2. 1885, are
awaiting the action of Congress. Perhaps the
most important OF these is that for the cession
OF the Cherokee Strip. This region has been
the source of great veXation TO the Executive
Department and of great friction and unrest
between the settlers who desire to occupy it
and the Indians who assert tide. The agree
ment which has been made by the Commission
is perhaps the most satisfactory that could have
been reached. 1t will be noticed that it is con-
ditioned upon its ratification by Congress be-
fore Match 4. 1893. The Secretary of the In
terror. who has given the subject very careful
thought, recommends the ratification of the
agreement. and L 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 Con
gress on May II. 1884. for ALASKA was in its
frame and purpose. temporary. The increase
of population and the development of some i'm
portant mining and commercial interests make
II imperative that the law should be revised and
better provision made for the arrest and pun
ishment 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 issuing
agricultural patents which seemed to be hope
lessiy IN arrear when the present Secretary
undertook the duties of his Office has been so
expedited that the Bureau is now upon current
business. The relief thus afforded to honest
and worthy settlers upon the public lands bv
giving To them an assured title to their entries
has been Of incalculable benefit in developing
the new States and the Territories
The Court of Private Land Claims. established
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 great impetus will be given
to the development of those regions where I'M
settled claims under Mexican grants have so
long exercised their repressiye influence When
to these results are added the enormous ces-
sions of Indian lands which have been opened
TO settlement, aggregating during this admins
tration nearly %. 900 900 acres and the agree
ments negotiated and now pending in Congress
lOr fatNcauOn DE which about 10 800, 600
additional acres will be opened 10 settlement.
it will be seen how much has beenaccomplished.
THE INDIAN SERVICE.
The work in the Indian Bureau, in the execu-
ton of the policy of recent legislation. has been
largely directed to two chief purpose: First.
the allotment of lands in seyeralty 70 the In
dams and the ccsslon to the United States OF
the surplus lands: and, secondly. 20 the work of
educating the Indian for his own protection in
his closer contact with the white man and for
the intelligent exercise Of his new citiZen-hio
AIiotments have been made and patents issued
to $500 Indians under the present Secretary
and Commissioner, and 1900 additional aIot-
mentS have been made for which Patents are
now in process Of preparation. The school at
tendance Of Indian children has been increased
during that time over ID per cent. the enroll
ment Tor 1872 being nearly twenty thousand
\ uniform system OF school textbooks and of
study has been adopted and the work in these
national schools brough. as near as may be to
the basis of the free common schools of the
States. These schools can be transferred and
merged into the common-schooi systems of the
States when the Indian has fully assumed his
new relation to he organized civil community
III which he resides. and the new States are able
to assume the burden.
1 have several times been called upon to re-
move Indian agents appointed by me- and have
done go promptly upon every sustained COM
plant of unfitness misconduct | believe.
however. that the Indian service at the agencies