Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-12-09
SECRETARY SMITHS REPORT.


WASHINGTON, Dec. I'm discussing the sub
ject of pensions in his annual report Secretary
Hoke Smith calls attention to the frauds dis
covered by the special examiners In Norfolk,
Va, and In New Mexico and Iowa. He says
the pensions In the first two instances have
been allowed upon testimony manufac-
tured and forged by the claim agents. In Iowa
examining boards had been Systematically
tampered with by the claim agents. The re-
port shows that the stoppage of these Illegal
pensions in the three places had saved to the
government an amount equal to the expense
OF the entire force of special examiners
When II is remembered that this work of the
examiners has been in progress but six months,
and that payments Of pensions would have con.
tnued for an average OF nearly twenty years.
the enormous saving to the government can be
realized Where 1t was thought that the pen
sions could not be sustained and another medi-
cal examination was necessary, payment of the
pensions was suspended pending the In
vestigation. This" he says, twas done by
the commissioner OF pensions in pursuance of
q uniform practice of the bureau existing
almost from its early organization 1t was
found that many thus suspended were able to
supply the proof when notice to that effect
was given. Payment of these was at once re.
sumed."
The report denies that the purpose has ever
existed Of an extreme and unreasonable man.
ner of suspending pensioners, and IL also de-
nies that any abandonment has taken place of
the policy Of removing from the pension rolls
those who are not legally thereon.
Referring TO the work OF the census offlcc the
secretary states: II now feel all confidence
that every effort is being conscientiously made
to bring the census to close and TO render IL
as useful as possible when finished" 1t is in
Gmated that the appropriation now available
will be sufficient to meet the expenses up to
the lst of February, but that additional ap-
preparations TO the amount of $500, 600 will be
necessary to continue the work from that time.
Upon the question Of public timber and for
est the report shows that an utter inadequacy
of legislation has been provided for the legiti.
mate procurement of public timber to supply
the actual necessities of the people dependent
thereon and the same time develop the
tional reserves Of the public lands and to pro-
tect and preserve the forests The report rec
ommends legislation for n comprehensive for
cstry system and the selection OF forest COM
mission TO choose inspectors In connection with
the land oflice.
The report gives the history of the opening
of the Cherokee outlet and describes the
booth system adopted. 1t says the rush OF
applicants for certificates was unprecedented
and greatly in excess of the number expected.
AS soon 1t was found that the force at work
conld not supply all the applicants with booth
certificates, additional help was employed and
all that offered obtained certificates before
the hour for opening. In reference to the
hardships that were incurred by appli-
unavoidable account of the fact that
the crowd 50 large, far in excess
of land to be obtained. The scarcity OF water
was due TO extended drought, and IL was
impossible 10 place all the booths at locations
suitable for entry. The report says the plan
adopted was carried 10 u successful conclusion,
and that 1t prevented, TO large extent, the
wrongful occupancy OF land by people who
were not entitled TO settle thereon.
Referring to the Cherokee Indian allotment,
the secretary states that he sought unsuccess-
fully to dissuade those representing lhe In
dians from seeking TO select town sites for
speculative purposes In order to defeat tho
plans OF the Indian spectators he approved
the allotments made, but fixed town sites in
such way as TO thwart their chances. The
secretary recommends the passage OF legsla-
tion TO protect the people not settled in these
towns from this discriminate He also rec
ommends as a subs titute for the present sys-
TEN OF settlement the adoption by congress of
some plan which, by auction, lottery or other
wise, may determine in advance the ownership
OF each particular section
The work OF the Indian bureau shows that
they are steadily advancing in civilization. 1t
is mistake, he says, to suppose that their
number is rapidly decreasing. On the con-
trary, tribal wars and wars with the whites
having ceased, they are increasing and there
are now over 100000 Much good is being &C.
complished by allotments in severalty and the
schools. During the last fiscal year over
2l,0O0 children have been trained in the
schools. II says that civil service examina-
uons do not furnish proper Information for the
selection OF local superintendents of Indian
schools, and urges that these officers should be
selected without regard TO politics by the gen.
eral superintendent 1t is suggested that the
teachers in the Indian schools should be Sc
lected on plan perfected by the civil service
commission and the general superintendent of
schools, and that experience as well as mere
technical knowledge should be considered
In connection with the recent Choctaw
trouble the report urges the passage OF the bill
extending the jurisdiction OF the United States
court in the Indian territory so as TO inclnde
the right OF removal of all cases where local
prejudice is shown
In regard TO Indian depreciation claims the re-
port says that unless the law is changed the
treasury of the United States is liable to be
strained to the extent OF many millions OF
dollars and inlimates strongly that legisa tion
should free the treasury from this burden.
Referring TO the condition OF the patent Of
hce building the report shows that additional
buildings must be constructed for the use of
the interior department.
The report calls special attention to the legal
work OF the department, showing large mum
ber OF important decisions
The national parks and forest reservations
receive careful attention Legislation is urged
which will require the secretary of war to de-
tail troops TO guard and protect these reserva-
secretary OF war declined to make details upon
the opinion Of the acting Judge advocate that
the employment of troops in such cases was NOT
expressly authorized by the constitution or by
any act OF congress.
| The condition of the territories New Mex.
| leo, Arizona, Utah. Oklahoma and Alaska is
| carefully reviewed 1t commends Arizona
| and New Mexico for statehood. Referring &c
| Utah IL says: From careful study OF the
conditions in this territory can see no reason
| why the privilege OF statehood should be
| longer Withheld, and ] cordially support the
| application OF Utah for admission to the
| union" Referring to Oklahoma II says: 1.-THE
| soil OF Oklahoma is rich and the resources
| great and the development marvellous. Il
| is TO be hoped that at an early date this terri
tory may assume the responsibilities OF state
| hood"
VIII Readmit the Jesuits.
| BERLIN, Dec. 1.-THE reichstag by 9
| - 4 Al.