The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1893-12-08

means of wholesale and gigantic frauds, the
commits 'ioner suspended payments upon a
ulent or uni utiorlled pending complete ex-
animation, giving notice TO the pensioners in
order that they might have an opportunity TO
establish II possible, the justice OF their claims,
not outstanding apparent inyalidity.
This, understand. is che practice which has
for long time prevailed in the pension
bureau: but after entering upon these
recent investigations the commissioner modi-
fiea ms rule SO as not :, allow, until after
payment of pension ap trerfly not alto
gether vod but which h-erely had been fixed
a, {, rate higher than that duthurll ed by law.
am unable TO underst AM why frauds in the
pension rolls should not be exposed and cor
recleu VAN thOrOughness and vigor. Every
name fraudulently put upon these rolls is
wicked imposition upon the kindly sentiment
In which pensions have their origin; every
fraudulent pensioner has become bad citi-
zen; every false oath In support or q pension
has made perjury more common. and false and
undeserving pensioners rob the people not only
of their money but of the patriotic& sentiment
which the survivors OF war, fought for the
preservation of the union, ought TO inspire.
Thousands of neighborhoods have their well
known fraudulent pensioners and recent
developments by the bureau establish APP
palling cOnspiracies to accomplish pension
frauds. BY no means the least wrong done is
TO brave and deserving pensioners, who
certainly ought not to be condemned to such
association.
Those who attempt in the line of duty TO
rectify these wrongs should not be accused of
enmity or Indifference to the claims of honest
veteran.
The sum expended on account of pensions
for the year ending June 30, 1885, was $780,
740,467H
The commissioner estimates that Sl65, 900
will be required to pay Pay pensions during the
The condition of the Indians and their ulti-
mate fate are subjects which are related to
sacred duty OF the government ard which
strongly appeal TO the sense OF justics and the
sympathy of our people. o
Our Indians number about 24S,UO. Most of
them located raj
ing S6,ll6,53l acres of land. About 10000 of
these Indians have, to a large degree, adopt
ed civilized customs Lands in severalty have
been allotted to many of them. Such allot-
ments have been made to 10000 individuals
during the last fiscal year, embracing about
l,00O,0N acres. The number Of Indian govern
ment schools open during the year was 1876, an
increase of IL over the preceding year. OF this
total 40 are on reservations, of which % are
boarding schools and 81 were day schools.
Twenty boarding schools and five day schools
supported by the government were not located
on reservations. Inc total number OF Indian
children enrolled during the year as attend
ants of all schools was p 1883, an increase of
1,!3l over the enrolment for the previous
year.
am sure that secular education and moral
and religious teachings must be important
factors in any effort TO save the Indian and
lead him to civilization. believe, too, that the
REIMBURSEMENT OF tribal relations and the hold
ing of land in severalty may, in favorable con-
ditions, aid this consummation. 1t seems to
me, however, that ailotments of land in sever
atty ought to be made with great care and
circumspection. If hastily done, before the
Indians knows its meaning, while yet he has
little or no idea of filling farm and no con-
ception of thrift, there is great danger that a
reservation life in tribal relations may be ex-
changed for the pauperism of civilization, in
stead of its independence and elevation. The
solution of the Indian problem depends very
largely upon good administration. The per-
sonal fitness of agents and adaptabilty to the
peculiar duty of caring for their wards is of
the utmost Importance, the law providing that,
escept in especial cases. army officers shall be
detailed as Indian agents, If it is pressed will
prove n successful experiment.
The appropriations on account of the Indian
schools for the year ending June 30, 1884,
amount to S7,Gi, 80, decrease as compared
with the year preceding it of $3S7, 1916.
The vast area Of land which, but short
time ago, constituted the public domain, il
rapidly falling INTO private hands. 1t is GER
tain that in the transfer the benefcient inten-
ton of the government to supply from its
domain homes to the industrious and worthy
homeseekers, is often frustrated. Though the
SPECTATOR, who stands with eXtortionate pur-
pose between the land office and those who,
with their families, are invited by the govern
ment to settle on the public lands, is a despic-
able character, who ought not to be tolerated,
yet it is difficult to thwart his schemes. The
the Cherokee outlet, embracing an area of
100000 acres, Notwithstanding the utmost
care in framing the regulations governing the
selection of locations and notwithstanding the
presence of United States troops, furnished an
exhibition, though perhaps in a modified de-
gree of the mad scramble, the violence and the
fraudulent occupation which have accom-
panied previous openings of public land:
concur with the secretary IN the beilet that
these outrageous incidents can not be entirely
prevented without change in the laws on the
subject, and hope his recommendations in
that direction will be favorably considered.
especially commend to the attention OF the
congress the statements contained in the
secretary's report concerning forestry. The
time has come when efficient measures should
be taken for the preservation of our forest
from indiscriminate and remediless destruc-
ton The report OF the secretary of agricGul-
especially to that large part of our citizens
intimately concerned in agricultural occupa>
tions.
On the 9TH OF March, 1893, there were upon
its pay rolls 2,430 employees This number has
been reduced to $50 persons In view of a de-
pleted public treasury and the imperative
demand of the people for economy i'm the ad-
ministTation of their government, the secretary
has entered upon the task Of nationally reduc-
ing expenditures by the elimination from the
I pay rolls of all persons not needed for an
efficient conduct of the affairs of the depart
! ment
During the first quarter of the present year
/ the expenses OF the department aggregated
S345,S'G.16, as against S4O@,Ol%.42 for the cor
Jnne 10. 1893 The secretary makes apparent
I his intention to continue this rate of reduction
! by submitting estimates for the next fiscal
year less 10y 1894 10 than those for the present
Among the heads of divisions in this depart
ment the changes have been exceedingly few.
! Three vacancies occurring from death and
| designations have been filled by the promotion
| of assistants in the same divisions.
These promotions CT experienced and faith
! full assistants have not only been in the inter
est of efficient work. hut have suggested to
those in the department who look for retention
! and promotion that merit and devotion TO duty
, are their best reliance.
The amount appropriated for the bureau OF
/ animal industry for the current fiscal year il
SS50,O0O, the estimate for the ensuing year il
S700,OO0.
The regulations of 1897 concerning Texas
fever have been enforced during the last year
and the largest stock yards of the country
have been kept free from Infection. Dc
casonal local outbreaks have been largely
such as could have been effectually guarded
against by the owners of the affected cattle.
While contagious pleuro-pneumonia in cattle
has been eradicatcd, animal tuberculosis a
disease widespread and more dangerous TO hui
man life than pleuro-pneumonia, is still pre-
vaent. Investigations have been made dur
| ing the past year as to the means of commune
cation and the method of its correct diagnosis
Much progress has been made In this direc.
! ton by the studies of the division of animal
Patio 'ogy, but work ought TO be extended in CO
operation with local authorities until the dan
| ger to human life arising from this cause Is re-
duced TO q minimum.
The number of animals arriving from Can
ada during the year and inspected by bureau
officers was 462U2, and the number from
! transatlantic countries was 1877. No con.
tagious diseases were found among the i'm.
ported animals. The total number OF inspec
tons Of cattle for export during the past fiscal
year was Gil ,542.
join the secretary in recommending that
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