The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-12-07

speedily settling contested land titles Is making
satisfactory progress In its work. and when the
WORK Is completed q great impetus will be given
20 the Development of those regions where un-
settled claims under Mexican grants have 50
long exercised their repressive influence. When
70 these results are added the enormous ces-
slons OF Indian lands which have been opened
70 settlement agRreZating during this admins
tratlon nearly 100000 acres. and the agree
ments negotistei and now pending in congress
~ ratlncatoa by which about 10 000,000 addi-
tional acres will be opened to settlement IL will
DC seen now much has been accomplished.
THE INDIAN BUREAU.
The work in TIE Indian bureau in the execri-
ton OF the policy Of recent legislation has been
largely directed TO two CHIEF purposes: First.
the allotment Of Hands IN severalty to the Indians
and the cessation 20 the United States Of the
surplus lands; and, secondly, to the work of
educating the Indian for his own protection in
MS closer contact with the white man. and for
the intelligent exercise OF his new citizenship.
Aliotments have been made and patents issued
| TO o'sOO Indians under the present secretary aud
commissioner. and 1910 additional allotnents
nave been made, for which patents are now In
process OF preparation.
The school attendance OF Indian children has
| been increased during that time over ia Der
cent. the enrolment for 1892 being nearly
2lOOO, uniform system Of school text books
and or study has been adopted, and the work
| In their national schools brought as near as
maybe to the basis OF free common schools OF
! the states These schools can be transferred
and merged into the common school system OF
the states when the Indian has fully assumed
| his relation TO the organized civilized COM
munity In which he resides. and the new states
are able TO assume the burden.
INDIAN AGENTS
! have several times been called upon to re-
| move indian agents appointed by me, and have
/ done 50 promptly upon every sustained COM
| plant OF unttuess or misconduct. | believe.
however, that the Indian service ut the agencies
| mas oeen improved, and is now administered on
the whole with good degree OF efficiency If
| any legislation is possible by which the selec-
ton OF Indian agents can be wholly removed
| from all partisan suggestions or considerations
| lam sure it would be a great relief TO the exec
utiye and great benefit 70 the service.
| Inc appropriation for the subsistence OF the
Oheeyenne and Arapahoe Indians made at tbs
| last asSion Of cougresslwas Inadequate This
| smaller appropriation was estimated for by the
| commissioners upon the theory that the larger
| fund belonging to the tribe In the public treas
| ury could be and ought to be used for their
| support. In view, however, OF the pending de-
| probation claims against this fund, and other
| considerations, the Secretary of the Interior on
| the 18th OF April last, submitted a supple
mental estimate for $50 00J. This appropria-
| ton was not made as it should have been and
the oversight ought to be remedied at the
| earliest possible date.
| cHocrAw AND oHIcKAsAw LANDS.
In special message TO this congress at the
last session stated the reasons why had nou
| approved the deed for the release to the United
| states by the Choctaws and Cnickasaws of the
| lands forme rly embraced in the Cheyenne and
| Arapahoe reservation and remaining after allot-
| ments to that tribe. A resolution Of the Senate
expressing the opinion of that body that, not >
| withstandinR the facts stated in the special
/ message, the deed should be approved aud the
money, 81, 9g1, $50, paid over was presented TO
me May TO- 1892: My special message was in-
| tended TO call the attention OF congress TO the
subject and in view of the fact that 10 conceded
| that the appropriation proceeded upon
false basis as to the amount of lands to be paid
Tor, and is by $4,000 in excess OF the amount
they are entitled 20 teven II their claim TO the
land Is given full recognition at the rate agreed
uponl have not felt willing 60 approve the deed
and shall not do 80, at least until both houses OF
congress have acted upon the subject 10 has
| been informally proposed by the claimants to
release this sum of $50, 000, but have no power
| TO demand or accept such a release and such an
agreement would be without consideration void.
| l desire, further to call tue attention of con-
gress to the fact that the recent agreement con-
| cluded with the Kiowas and Comanches relates
| to lands which were part of the LEASED dis
| trct, and to which the claim of the Choctaws
| aud Chickasaws is precisely that recognized by
| congress In the legislation have referred to .
| The surplus lands to which this claim would at
tach ia the Kiowa.C omanche reservation is
100000 acres. and at the same rate the
| goverpment will be called upon to pay
TO the Choctaws and Chickasaws for
these lands 49, $4,000. This sum will be further
augmented, especially IL the title OF the Indians
TO the tract now drier county, Texas is estab-
lished. The duty devolved upon me Ia this
connection was simply TO pass upon the form Of
the deed; but as In my opinion the facts men,
toned Ia my special message were not ade-
quately brought to the attention of congress In
connection with the legislation, felt that
would not be justified In acting without some
new expression of tho legislative will
DEPARTMENT OF PENSIONS.
| The report Of the commissioner of pensions
| to which extended notice is given by the Secre-
| tarV OF the Interior in his report, will attract
| great attention. Judged by the aggregate
amount OF work done the last year has been
| the greatest in the history OF the office.
believe that the reorganization Of the Office
/ 10 sAffI lola nFahF Nanf
with fidelity. The passage of what Is known as
| the disability bill has, was foreseen, very
largely increased the annual disbursements to
| the disabled veterans Of the civil war The
estimate for this fiscal year was Si44, a56, 900.
and that amount was appropriated. A
deficiency amounting to Si0.50S,62t must
estimate for pensions for the fiscal
| year ending June 80, 1894, is St65 100000 The
| commissioner of pensions believes that il the
| present legislation and methods are maintained
and further additions to the pansion law are not
made the maximum expenditure for pensions
will be reached June 80, 1894 and will be at
the highest premium. | adhere to the yiews
expressed in previous messages that the care Of
the disabled soldiers OF the war of the rebellion
is matter Of national concern and duty Per-
haps no emotion cools sooner than that Of
gratitude, but cannot believe that this process
has yet reached point with our people that
| would sustain the policy OF remittinR the care
of these disabled veterans TO the Inadequate
agencies provided by local laws.
| The parade on Sept 20 last upon the streets
of this capital of $4,000 Of the surviving uniou
| veterans Of the war of the rebellion was a most
touching and thrilling episode and the rich and
gracious welcome extended TO them by the Dis
trict Of Columbia and the applause that greeted
| their progress from tens of thousands OF people
from all the.stands did much to revive the glori-
Gus recollections OF the grand review when these
men and many thousands now in their graves
we're welcomed with grateful Joy as victors in q
| struggle In which the national unity. honor and
wealth we're all IT issue.
| UNION PACIFIC RAILWAY
In my last annual message called attention
to the fact that some legislative action was
necessary In order to protect the interests Of
| the government in its relations with the Union
| Pacific railway. The commissioner of railroads
has submitted very full report, giving exact
| information as to the debt, the liens upon the
| company's property, and its r sources. We
| must deal with the question as We find it, and
| take that course which viii under existing con-
| ditions best secures the interest of the United
| States. recommended in my last annual mes
| sage that a commission be appointed Co deal
with this question and | renew that recon-
mendation and suggest that the commission be
| given full power.
| DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
| The report of the Secretary of Agriculture
| contains not only most interesting statement
| of the progressive and valuable work done
| under the administration of Secretary Rusk,
| but many suggestions for the enlarged useful
| ness OF this important department. In the sue
| cessful effort to break down the restrictions to
| Of