The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-12-02
The Secretary Claims to Have Saved
Money by Suspending Pensions and to
Have Done His Duty in the Strip.
HOLMAN IN TROUBLE AGAIN
Shelbyville'S POStOffice War WOr-
rying the Sage of Aurora.
No Matter How 1t Results the Congress-
man Is Likely to Lose Friends
Other Washington News.

"AOIll4N0IO DeC- L-S6Cr6IaTy OF
the Interior Hoke Smith, in his annual
report, submitted this evening, reviews with
thoroughness the work of all the branches
of the department during the past year.
Upon the subject of pensions the Secre-
tary calls attention to the great amount
saved to the government by the stoppage
of payment of illegal pensions in Norfolk,
Va, New Mexico and Iowa. Where it was
thought that the pension could not be sus-
tanned and another medical examination
was necessary payment of the pensions
was suspended pending the investigation.
This" he says, was done by the Com
missioner of Pc lsions in pursuance of the
uniform practice of the bureau existing al
most from its early organization. 1t was
found that many thus suspended were able
to supply the proof when notice TO that ef-
feet was given. Payment to these was at
once resumed
The Secretary comments on the utter in
adequacy of legislation thus far enacted to
provide for the legitimate procurement of
public timber to supply actual necessities
of the people dependent upon it to promote
settlement and develop the natural re-
sources of the public lands. Legislation
providing for a wise and comprehensive
forestry system is recommended.
The Secretary discusses at length the
opening of the Cherokee outlet. He says
the hardships incurred by applicants was
an unavoidable result, when so large a
crowd, far in excess of the land to be OBJ
tanned, was preparing to rush madly upon
1t. No care of the department could have
lessened the intense heat or prevented the
sitting dust. The scarcity of water was
due to an extended drought, which had
dried up many of the usual sources of
water supply. In regard to the fact that
over twenty thousand persons gathered in
the neighborhood of a single booth the Sec
rotary SAYS it was impossible to place all
the booths at locations suited for entry and
also to find a sufficient water supply. 1t
Is believed that, aside from these hardships,
the plan adopted was carried out TO a sue
cessful conclusion, and that it prevented to
a large extent the wrongful occupancy of
land by people who were not entitled to
settle thereon which marked the first open
ing of Oklahoma.
Referring to the Cherokee Indian allot-
ments, the Secretary states that he sought
unsuccessfully to dissuade those represent
ing the Indians from seeking to select
town sites for speculative purposes. In or
der to defeat the plans of the Indian specu-
lators he approved the allotments made,
but fixed the town sites in such a way
as to thwart their schemes. The Secretary
recommends the passage of legislation to
protect the people not settled in these
towns from discrimination. He also rec
ommends as a substitute for the present
system of settlement the adoption by Con-
gresS of some plan which. by auction, lot
terry or otherwise, may determine in adj
vance the ownership of each particular sec
ton.
The work of the Indian Bureau shows
that they are steadily advancing in civili-
cation. 1t is a mistake, he says, to suppose
that their number is rapidly decreasing.
On the contrary, tribal wars and wars with
the whites having ceased, they are increas-
ing orH fho-n r rnV- nypY 0k0 OnO Much
good is being accomplished by allotment
in severalty and the schools. The payment
subject of grave consideration. Under the
existing law, the appropriations intended
for the support of these Indians will be
consumed by the payment of these claims,
eSsary TO meet their needs so that the pay
ment of these claims will eventually de-
| volve upon the government. 1t is estimated
that these claims will absorb many mil
lions of dollars and the policy of subjecting
the treasury to this strain is questioned.
The recent troubles in the Choctaw Ma
ton are touched upon at length. The Sec
rotary urges the prompt passage of the
bill now pending before Congress, extend
ing the jurisdiction of the United States in
the Indian Territory, so as to include the
right of removal OF all cases, where local
prejudice is shown, without regard to citi-
ZenShiD.
Referring to the work of the Census Of
flee, the Secretary states: 81 now feel all
confidence that every effort is being con-
scientiously made to bring the census to a
| close and to render ii as useful as possible
when finished" 1t is ntimated that the
appropriations now available will be sufi-
Client to meet the expenses up to the 1st of
February, but that additional appropria-
tions to the amount of S59o,C0O will be nee
essary to continue the work from that
time.
In closing the report the Secretary states
that. in the estimate OF expenditures for
the department, a great majority OF the
proposed improvements were rejected, only
those actually necessary for the conduct of
p1blic business being adopted.