Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-05
INTERIOR AND ARMY.
Annual Reports of Secretaries Noble
and Elkins Published.
THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CENSUS
Warner Millers Nicaragua Canal Scheme
Is Given a Boost.
HORIZONS ARE BEHAVING VERY WE'LL

in detail the operations of the Interior De-
partment The volume os work accom-
plished during the present administration is
shown to greatly exceed that of any like
preceding period in the history of the de-
partment The following extracts cover
features of the most general interest:
The policy OF making forest reserves in
the Western States and Territories has been
greatly advanced during the past year. Six
such reserves have been created by Presi-
dental proclamation, making an area OF
S,252, 200 acres. This policy will be further
carried into effect and will be most benen-
cent and far-reaching i'll its results. The
Secretary recommends that these forest
preserves should receive protection from
the army.
Educational work among the Indians has
been greatly increased and improved in eff1-
cheney. There has been an increase OF over
1S per cent in attendance of children in the
schools, the total for 1892 being 1878 schol-
ars. New Indian reservation boarding
schools have been established during the
present administration, and more are in
progress, which, it is anticipated, will be
opened soon. Non-reservation schools have
also been established and others have been
planned. Strict discipline has been en-
forced and better education fostered.
Under the policy of Indian allotments,
negotiations with IA tribes during the
present administration has resulted in the
opening up for public settlement of nearly
&C, OOO, 600 acres of land. Other negotiations
which are pending, will, when ratified, add
lOOOO 900 acres more. Allotmenus of lands in
severalty to the Indians have been made in
very large numbers.
What Was Done in the Census ONCE.
The taking of the census in 1890 was recog-
nized at the beginning as most important
and difficult task, but it has been accom-
plished. The census publications have been
received with favorable Endorsement
throughout the civilized nations and the
work stands an acknowledged success and
great scientific achievements.
The first year the Census Office was en-
gagged in the work OF organization, and pre-
pairing for the enumeration of the people.
the official count of the population was
nCunced in four months after the compile
tion OF the enumeration, and Congress was
thus given 4 basis for new apportionment
nearly two years sooner than underany pre-
vious census. The population by minor
civil divisions was given to Congress- COM
plete, IN December, 1891 The final report on
mines and mining has been made; prelim-
mary reports have been issued in agricult-
ure: tie tabulation of the acreage and pro-
duction or cereals, the number and condi-
tiOns OF the Indians, the statistics of
churches and religious denominations and
o educational statistics have been complet-
ed and reported.
a mass or other statistics is now in pro-
cess of completion and much of it is already
In the hands OF the printer. With the ex-
ception OF Il small amount of work on vital
statistics and population and the statistics
o; anu1actories and agriculture all the
regular work o; the eleventh census is about
complete. The larm mort ages report will be
complete in about II months.
The Secretary states that the work of the
Geological Survey has been carried on with
great efficiency. In the topographic branch
10000 square miles have been surveyed dur
ing the past year, making a total or 100000
square miles surveyed ND to the present
time.
The Conduct of the Pension Office.
1t has been the policy of the Pension Office,
as justice seemed to demand, to assign a
larger portion of the official force upon
original claims of those who were not re-
ceiving any pensions, than upon increase
claims, and it is believed that If this policy
be continued for two years longer the ad-
juGication of the original claims OF the office
will be substantially completed and made
current, and by that time the highest num-
Der of pensioners ever to be borne on the
rolls will have been placed there.
Under the provisions of the act of June
%, 1890, many claimants who were seriously
disabled and living upon charity, but who
cOuld not establish service as the origin OF
disability, have been enabled to secure much
needed assistance and financial relief. The
results obtained through this legislation,
and the great good it has done for the multi
tude of worthy claimants appears TO have
JUSTIFIED expectations OF those who
enacted it.
The Commissioner recommends the
appointment of an actuary to colate certain
statistics relative to the question of the
effect of army service upon the expectation
OF lives OF soldiers and the probable dura-
tion o: the pension roll which it is thought
will be valuable contribution to science.
The estimates for the deficiency Tor this
year are $40 sos, ,6:l, and the estimate for fiscal
Iear ending June 80, 1884, is Sl65, 600, 600. This
Is based on careful consideration OF all the
factors en into the question
Under the direction OF the Educational
Bureau an effort mas been. made to propa-
gate reindeer in Alaska through a fund SUBJ
scribed by individuals and the experiment
promises to prove successful. The bureau
has issued bulletins respecting former
Worlds Fairs, the best method of preparing
educational exhibits, ETC., Tor distribution.
Utah, the MOrnons and Polygamy.
The Governor of Utah expresses his be-
lief in the good faith and honesty of pur-
nose of the Mormon leaders and the people
in their abandonment of polyaamy, and
their obedience to til e laws of Congress on
this subject. The Utah Commission seems
not to have so much confidence in the
motive which compels observance of the
law, but to believe that it is simply a sus-
pension OF the practice, under the authority
OF the Church, and that if it could be done
lawfully the authority of the Church would
again be recognized, as revoking the cessa-
tinn of the practice. But it is conceded
that there is, with exceptional cases. a gen.
and the declarations OF the officials OF the
Church, and the proclamation issued under
authority OF the Church, seem to indicate
tile fact that the Mormon people have con-
cluded to abandon forever the practice of
pOlygamy.
for general amnesty for all Mormons VINO
are under political disabilities by reason of
violation or the law against polygamy. The
petition pledges the people and the Church
in distinct terms to loyal observance OF the
law and declares the devotion and LOYALTY
OF the people to the country and to the Gov
ernment. One suggestive evidence of the
division of the people upon national party
lines in recent elections.
A system OF competitive examinations for
DromotiOn has been in operation in the de-
partment since January ], 1892. under the
Presidents order OF December 2, 1891 The
securing better and more faithful service on
the part of employees. Many employees in
the various bureaus of the department. have
been promoted under the system.
As to the Nicaragua Canal Job.
The nrogress of the work on the Mica
rsgua canal has continued during the past
year and some valuable feats of engineering
have been accomplished, in the extension
of the breakwater, ano in the construction
of the railroad across the swamp lands
Since the organization the company has ex-
l,erded for property, material and labor
ssl5649 63 in cash, and s., $4,000 in FULL paid
stock and is obligated for $685., 900 of the
first mortgage bonds, which latter are held
Dy the Nicaragua Canal Construction Com
pany. - x,
Se-rad to in the report OF one year a. has