The National tribune., 1892-12-15


contracts for the next fiscal year approximnies
S95i 1873 49, As one of the results already reached
l6 American steamships OF an aggregate tonnage
s., 400 tons, costing S740O 600. have been built or
contracted to be built in American shlpyards. l
earnestly urge a continuance of the policy inaugu
rated by this legislation.
THE NEW NAVY.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy exhibits
great progress in the construction of our new navy
During the current year 10 war vessels and three
navy tugs have been launched, and during me TOUR
| years % vessels will have been launched Two
other large ships and torpedo boat are under con-
| tract and the ork upon them well advanced, and
the four monitors awaiting only the arrival oil
their armor, (which has been unexpectedly de-
| layed, they would have been before this In COM
mission.
| Contracts have been lei during this Adminisra-
ton under the appropriations for the increase oil
| the navy, including new vessels and their appurte-
nances, to the amount of S35 600 and there has
been expended during the same period for labor at
| navy-yards upon similar work, SS000,000, with
out the smallest scandal or charge OF fraud or par
| TALLY.
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 lin
census, the opening of vast areas of Indian lands
| 10 settlement, the organization OF Oklahoma, ana
. the negotiations for the cession of Indian lands
| furnish of the particulars of the Increased
| work and the results achieved testify TO the ability
fidelity, aud industry of the head OF the Depart
| ment and his efficient assistants.
The court of private land claims established by
Congress for the promotion of the policy OF speedily
settling contested land titles IS making satisfactory
progress in its work and when the work is COM
pleed great impetus will be given TO the develop
ment of those regions where unsettled claims I'M
der Mexican grants have so long exercised their
repressive influence. When to these are added the
| enormous cessions of Indian lands which have
been opened to settlement nggregaling curing
this Administration nearly &c CO0G00 acres and the
| agreements negotiated and now pending IN Con.
eress for ratification by which about 10000 600 adj
al hc In
| be seen how much has been accomplished
INDIAN BUREAU.
The work of this Bureau has been largely
directed to the allotment of lands in severalty
to the Indians and the cession to the United
States Of the surplus lands; and to the work OF
educating the Indian for his own protection in
his closer contact with the white man, and for
the intelligent exercise OF new citizenship. Al
lotments have been made and patents issued to
$500 Indians, and 1900 additional allotments
have been made for which patents are in pro-
cess of preparation. The President has several
times been called on to remove Indian Agents
appointed by himself, and has done so promptly
upon every substantial complaint Of unfitness
or misconduct. He believes that if the selec-
ton Of agents could be removed from partisan
suggestion and consideration, it would be a
great relief to the Executive and great benefit
to the service.
WORK OF THE PENSION BUREAU.
The report Of the Commissioners of Pensions, to
which extended notice is given by the Secretary OF
the Interior in his report will attract great aiten-
ton. Judged by the aggregate amount OF work
done, the last year has been the greatest in the
history OF the office. believe that the organza-
ton of the Office is efficient and that the work has
been done with fidelity. The passage OF what is
known as the disability bill has, as was foreseen,
very largely increased the annual disbursements
to the disabled veterans of the civil war The esti-
mate for this fiscal year was sl44 $4,000, and that
mount was appropriated. deficiency amounting
to S0,50s 62l must be provided for at this session
The estimate for pensions for the fiscal year ending
June 80. 1894. is slG5,0000Oo. The Comm issoner Of
Pensions believes that If the present legislation
and methods are maintained and further additions
to the pension laws are not made the maximum
expenditure for pensions will be reached June 80,
1891 and will be at the highest point SiSS OOO00o
per annum.
PRAISE FOR THE GRAND ARMY.
/ adhere to the views expressed in previous
messages that the of the disabled soldiers OF
the war of the rebellion is matter of National
concern and duty. Perhaps no emotion cools
sooner than that Of gratitude, but cannot believe
that this process has yet reached a point with our
people that would sustain the policy of RENTING
the of these disabled veterans TO the made
guate agencies provided by local laws. The parade
on the Goth of September last upon the streets Of
this Capital of $1,000 of the surviving Union vet
Grams of the war of the rebellion was most touch
ing and thrilling episode and the rich and gracious
welcome extended TO them by the District of CO.
lninbia and the applause that greeted their prog
States did much to revive the glorious recoliections
of the grand review, when these men and many
thousand others now in their graves were well
coined with grateful JOY victors in struggle in
which the National unity, honor and wealth were
all at issue.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
The report of the Secretary of Agriculture
contains most interesting statement of the
progressive and valuable work done under the
administration Of Secretary Rusk.
In the successful effort to break down the
stric,ons to the free introduction of meat pro-
ducts In the countries OF Europe the Secretary has
been untiring from the first, stimulating and
aiding all other Government officers, at home
aud abroad. whose official duties enabled them
to participate in the work. The total trade
In hog products with Europe in May, 1892, amount
ed TO $4,000 600 pounds. against 100000 In the
same month Of 1891: in june, 1892, the exports
aggregated sj,700000 pounds against 46.500.000
pounds in the month OF the previous year;
in July there was an increase OF Al per cent, and
in August OF SO per cent over the corresponding
months OF 1891 Over 40 600 GOO pounds of inspected
pork have been exported since the law put
month. of May, June. July and August, 1892 with
the same months of 1881 shows an increase in the
number Of pounds Of our export of pork products
of 62 per cent. and an increase In value Of 66%
per cent. The exports Of dressed beef Increased
from 137 100000 pounds in 1889 TO 800 500 900 pounds
in 1892, or about GO per cent. During the past
year ;llere have been exported 30i,G07 head OF
live cattle against 20j, 756 exported in 1899. This
increased expectation has been largely promoted
BIZ the inspection authorized by law and the faith
ful efforts of the Secretary and his efficient subor
climates to make that inspection thorough, and to
carefully exclude from all cargoes diseased or
pected cattle. The requirement of the English
regulations that live cattle arriving from the United
States must be slaughtered at the docks had its
origin In the claim that pleuro-pneumonia existed
among American cattle, and that the existence of
the disease could only certainly be determined by
post mortem inspection.
Every thing has been done by the Department
to extirpate this disease, and on Sept. 26 last,
public announcement was made by Secretary
Rusk that it no longer existed anywhere in the
United States The President commends the
suggestions of Secretary Rusk for an enlarge
ment of the Department to the favorable con-
sideration Of Congress.
OTHER VITAL QUESTIONS.
The President thinks the quarantine regu-
| lations should be uniform at all our ports and
| he believes that under the Constitution they are
| plainly within exclusive Federal jurisdiction
when and so far as Congress shall legislate. He
thinks the whole subject should be taken into
| National CONTROL and adequate power given to
| the Executive to protect our people against
plague invasons.
He again calls the attention of Congress to
| the evils and dangers of our election methods
| and practices as they related to the choice of
| officers of the National Government. He calls
attention to the evils of unfair apportionmcnts
for Congress. He thinks it time that mutual
charges Of uDfarness aud fraud between the
great parties should cease and that the sim
| cerity of fhOsa who profpSs dasiro for nure