Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1892-12-16

the obligations OF the government under
the contracts may be made promptly, SO
that the lines that have entered into these
engagements may not be embarrassed.
We have had, by reason OF connections
with the transcontinental railway lines
constructed through our own territory.
some advantages In the ocean trade OF the
Pacific. that we did not possess on the At
lantic. The construction or the Canadian
Pacific Railway, and the establishment
under large subventions from Canada and
England OF fast steamship service from
Vancouver with Japan and China, serious
ly threaten our shipping interests in the
Pacific. This line or English steamers re-
ceives. as is stated by The Commissioner
OF Navigation. n direct subsidy OF 800. 900
annually, or $3o767 per trip for thirteen
voyages In addition To some further aid
contracts. under which the vessels may be
used for naval purposes The competing
American Pacific Mall Line. under the
act OF March g. 1891. receives only s6.3s9
per round trip.
no subject. think. more nearly
touches the pride, the power and the
prosperity OF our country than this OF
the development OF our merchant marine
upon the sea. IL we could enter into
conference with other competitors. and
all would agree 10 withhold government
aid we could perhaps take our chances
with the rest but our great competitors
have established and maintained their
they have practically excluded us from
participation. In my opinion, no choice
Is left to us but TO pursue, moderately,
ut least, the same lines.
THE NAVY.
The report OF the Secretary OF the Navy
exhibits great progress In the construc-
ton OF our new navy. When the present
Secretary entered upon his duties. only
three modern steel vessels were in com
mission. The vessels since put in COM
mission, and 10 be put in commission
during the winter. VIII make total or
nineteen during his administration OF the
department. During the current year
ten war veseels and three navy tugs have
been launched and during the four years
twenty-five vessels viii have been
launched. Two other large ships and
torpedo boat are under contract and the
work upon them well advanced, and the
four monitors are awaiting only the ar
rival of their armor. which has been UNI
eXpectedly delayed. or they would have
been before this in commission.
At the beginning of Secretary Tracy's
administration several difficult problems
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 defensive
plates OF higher resisting power than are
found on any war vessel ailoat. We
were without torpedoes. Tests have been
made 10 ascertain the relative efficiency
of different constructions. a torpedo has
been adopted and the work of construc-
ton is now being carried on successfully.
and without n shop Instructed and
equipped for the construction OF them.
We are now making what is believed to
be a projectile superior 70 any before in
use. A smokeless powder has been de-
veloped and a burning powder for
guns OF large caliber. y high explosive.
capable Of use In shells fired from SER
vice guns, has been found, and the manu-
facture OF gun cotton has been devel-
oped. so that the question of supply is
no longer in doubt.
which has been organized I'm eight states
and brought into cordial and co-opera-
tive relations with the navy, is another
important achievement. There are now
enlisted in these organizations 1,S00 men
and they are likely TO be greatly extend
ed l recommend such Legislation and
appropriations as will encourages and de-
velop this movement.
The ships from our navy which Will APP
pear in the great naval parade next
April in the harbor of New York VIII be
that the United States is again naval
power
THE INTERIOR DEPAR rMENT.
The work OF the Interior Department.
always very burdensome, has been larg-
Ter than ever before during the admins
tration OF Secretary Noble. The disabil
ity pension law. the taking OF the elev-
enth census, the opening OF vast areas or
Indian lands TO settlement, sthe organiZa-
tion OF Oklahoma and the negotiations
for the cession OF Indian lands furnish
some OF the particulars OF the increased
work; and the results achieved testify 10
the ability. fidelity and industry of the
head of the department and his efficient
assistants.
concur in the recommendation OF the
Secretary OF the Interior that the agree
inent entered into by the Cherokee Com
for the cession of the Cherokee
strip, be ratified by Congress.
ALASKA.
The form OF government provided by
los CT q
in its frame and purpose, temporary. the
increase of population and the develop
ment OF some important mining and com
mercial interests make IL imperative that
the law should be revised and better pro-
vision made for the arrest and punish
ment OF criminals.
THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE.
The report OF the secretary shows q
very gratifying state OF facts as to the
OF the general land office. The
work OF issuing agricultural patents,
which seemed TO be hopelessly, in arrears
when the present secretary undertook the
duties of his Office has been so expedited
that the bureau Is now upon current bus
mess. The relief afforded TO honest and
worthy settlers on the public lands, by
giving to them an assured title to their
entries. has been OF incalculabe benefit
In developing the new states and the ter
ritories.
The court OF private land claims estab-
lished by Congress for the promotion of
this policy OF speedily settling contested
l'tnu lillcS. is NldhliE SdtlSltClOry pIO5ISsS
In its work.
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
The work OF the Indian Bureau. In the
execution OF the policy OF recent legisla-
ton. has been largely directed to two
chief purposes: lirst, the allotment oe
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 Indians Tor their own
protection in closer contact with the white
man, and for the intelligent exercise Of his
new citizenship. Aliotments have been
made and patents issued &c $500 Indians
under the present secretary and commits
sioner, ard 1900 additional al.otments have
been made fer whoa patents are now in
process OF preparation. The school at
tendance OF Indian children has been in
creased during that time over Il per cent.
the enrolment for 1892 being nearly 20
100. A uniform system OF school text
books and Of study has been adopted. and
the work In these national schools brought
rs near as'may be to the basis of the free
schools of the states. These
schools can be transferred and merged
nto the common school systems OF the
states when the Indian has fully assumed
mis- new relation to the organized civil
In which he resides, and the
new states are able TO assume the bur
len.
| have several times been called upon to
'emoye Indian agents appointed by me,
md have done so promptly upon every