St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-12-02
HOKE SPEAKS.
His Department Reported I'm a
Good Condition.

His Department Reported I'm a
Good Condition.
WASHINGTON, Dec 1.-Secretary 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. He comments on the utter
inadequacy of legislation thus far
enacted to provide for the legitimate
procurement of public timber to supply
actual necessities of the people depend
ent upon it intended to promote settle
ment and develop the natural resources
OF the public lands. Legislation proyid-
ing for wise and comprehensive for
eStry SYSTEM is recommended. The
secretary discusses at length the OPEN
Ing OF the Cherokee outlet. He says
the hardships incurred by applicants
was all unavoidable result when
large crowd, far in excess of the land
to be obtained, was prepared to rush
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 the
extended drought which had dried up
many OF the usual sources of water sup
ply, and when over 10000 persons
gathered i'll the neighborhood of a single
Oooth, 1t was impossible to place all the
booths at locations suited for entry and
also to lind sufficient water supply.
1t is believed that, aside from these hard
ships, the plan adopted was carried out
to successful conclusion, and that it
prevented TO large extent the wrong
full occupancy of land by people who
were not entitled to settle thereon,
which marked the first opening of Okla
homa. referring to the Cherokee In
dian allotmentS, the secretary states
that he sought unsuccessfullv to dis
Suade those representing the Indians
from seeking to select tOwnSiteS for
speculative purposes. In order to de-
feat the plans OF the Indian spectators,
he approved the allotments made, but
liked toWnsiteS i'll 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 this discrimination. He
also recommends as substitute for the
present system of settlement the adop-
ton by congress OF some plan which,
by auction. lottery. or otherwise, 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 saws,
10 suppose that their number is rapidly
decreasing. On the contrary, tribal wars
and wars with the whites having ceased,
they are increasing. and there are now
over 250. 600. Much good is being ac-
compllShed by allotmentS in SeVeraltv
and the schools.
The payment of Indian depreciation
claims Is deemed subject of grave con-
sideration. Under the existing law the
appropriations intended for the support
of these Indians will be consumed by
the payment of these claims, and sec
ond appropriation would be necessary
to meet their needs, SO that the payment
OF these claims will eventually devolve
upon the government. 1t is estimated
that these claims will absorb many mill
ions OF dollars, and the policy OF sub
Jectlng the treasury to this strain is
questioned.
The recent troubles in the Choctaw
nation are touched upon at length. The
secretary urges the prompt passage of
the bill now pending before congress
extending the jurisdiction of the United
States in the Indian territory SO as to
include the right of removal of all cases
regard to citizenship.
Upon the subject of pensions the Sec
rotary 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 pensions
could not be sustained and another
medical examination was necessary,
payment of the pensions was suspended
pending the investigation. This, he
says, was done by the commissioner of
pensions in pursuance of the 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 to these
was at once resumed.
Referring to the work of the census
office the secretary states: IL now feel
all confidence that every effort is being
conScientiOusly made to bring the
census to close, and to render it as
useful as possible when finished. 1t is
intlmated that the appropriation now
available will be sufficient to meet the
expenses up to Feb. l, but that addi-
tiOnal appropriations to the amount of
100000 Will be necessary to continue
the work from that time" In closing,
the report the secretary states that in
the estimate of expenditures for the
department great majority of the
proposed improvements were rejected,
only those actually necessary for the
conduct of public business being
adopted.
VOORHEES, ON THE TARITlF