The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-07


traton several difficult problems remain
ed TO be grappled with and solved be-
fore the efficiency in action OF our ships
could he secured. II Is believed that as
the result OF the new process In the con-
struction OF armor plates. our later ships
will be clothed with defensive plates OF
higher resisting power than are found on
any war vessels afioat. We are without
torpedoes. Tests have been made TO ns-
certain the relative efficiency Of different
constructions, a torpedo has been adopt
cd. and the work OF construction is now
being carried on successfully.
We were without armor- piercing shells
and without a shop instructed and equip
ped for the construction Of them. We
are now making what is believed to be
proiectle superior TO any before In use.
A smokcless powder has been developed.
and n slow burning powder for guns of
large calibre. high explosive, capable
OF use In shells, fred 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 cooperative relations
with the navy, is another important
achievement.
There are enlisted in these organiza-
tions 500 men. and they are likely TO be
greatly extended. / recommend such leg
islation and appropriations as viii en-
courage and develop this movement. The
| recommendations Of the secretary will, /
| do not doubt, receive the friendly con-
slderation Of Congress. for he has en-
| loved. as he has deserved the confidence
| OF all those interested In the developments
OF our navy. without any division upon
partisan lines. 1 earnestly express the
| hope that a work which has made such
noble progress may not now be stayed.
The wholesome influence for peace ana
the increased sense of security which
our citizens dom!eiled in other lands
feel when these magnificent ships, under
| the American flag, appear, Is already
most gratefully APPARENT. The ships
from our navy which Will appear IN the
great naval parade next April in the
harbor Of New York, will be convinc-
! ing demonstration TO the world that the
| United States Is again naval power.
The work Of the Interior Department
| always very burdensome, has been larger
| than ever before during the adminlstra-
! ton OF Secretary Noble The disability
! pension law, the taking or the
eleventh census, the opening OIL
vast areas Of Indian ! ands TO
settle ment the organization Of Okla
! hona and the negotiations for the ces-
sion of Indian lands, furnish some or
| the particulars Of the increased work:
and The results achieved testify to the
! ability fidelity and industry OF the heau
| ~ the department and his efficient as
| sistants.
Indians and Indian Lands.
Several important agreements Tor the
cession of Indian lands. negotiated by
the commissioner, appointed under the
| act Of March 2, 1889, are awaiting the
| action Of Congress Perhaps the most
| ,rD6rtant OF these is the cession or the
! Cherokee strip. This region has been the
source of great Yexation to the EXecu-
| tive Department, and great unrest ana
! friction between the settlers VINO desire
10 occupy It and the Indians VINO assert
| title =.
! The agreement which has been maze by
! the commission is perhaps. the most sat
! isfactorv that could have been reacheu,
II will be noted that It is condltlonal
mon its ratification by Congress betore
March 4. 1898 The Secretary OF the IN
terror who has given the SUBJECT very
careful thought, recommends the ratl-
ficaton Of the agreement ana am III
clined to follow his recommendation
! Certain It is, that some election by when
| This controversy shall be brought TO an
| end and these lands opened to settlement
! Is urged.
The form Of government provided by
Congress on May 1854, for Alaska was
In its frame and purpose temporary.
| The increase OF population ana the
| development Of some important mining
| and commercial interests make It impera-
| tive that the law should be revised ana
| better provision made for the arrest ana
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 issuing
| wi seemed q
| hoDelessly in arrear when the present
| secretary undertook the duties Of his
| office has been so expedited that the
| Bureau is now open to current business.
The relief thus afforded to honest and
| worthy settlers upon the public lands
! by giving TO them an assuree title 10
| their entries, has been of incalculable
benefit in developing the new States and
! Territories.
The Court Of Private Land Claims es-
| tabllshed by Congress for the promotion
Of this policy OF speedily settling con-
| tested land titles is making satisfactory
! progress I'm it's work, and when the work
is completed a great impetus will be
given to the development Of those re-
gions where unsettled claims under Next
/ can grants have so long exercised their
! repressive influence. When to these re-
| suits are added the enormous cessions OF
Indian lands which have been opened TO
settlement, aggregatng during TINS ad-
ministratiOn nearly e. 100000 acres, and the
agreements nullihed and pending in Con-
gress for ratification, by which about
10000 900 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 legisla-
ton has been largely directed to two
chief purposes First. the allotment OF
lands in severalty TO the Indians and the
cession to the United States of the sur
plus lands, and secondly, to the work Of
educating the Indian for his own prOtec-
ton in his closer contact with the white
man and for the intelligent exercise of
his new citizenship Allotments have
been made and patents issued TO $500
Indians under the present Secretary and
Commissioner, and 1900 additional allot-
ments have been made for which patents
are now in process Of preparation.
The school attendance of Indian chill
dren has been increased during that time
over thirteen per cent, the enrolment
for 1892 being nearly 10000. uniform
system of school text books and Of study
has been adopted. and the work in these
national schools brought as near as may
be to the basis Of free common schools
of the United States. These schools can
be transferred and merged into the com
mon school system of the States when the
Indian has fully assumed his relation to
the organized civilized community in
which he resides. and new States are
able 10 assume the burden.
! have several times been called upon