Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-04

ments upon q number Of pensions which
seemed to be fraudulent or unauthorized
pending a complete examination, giving
notice to the pensioners, in order that they
might have an opportunity to establish. II
possible the Justice OF their claims not
without apparent invalidity.
This. I understand. is the practice which
has for q long time prevailed in the Pen
sion Bureau; but after entering upon these
recent investigations the Commissioner
modified this rule SO as not to allow, until
after a complete examination. Interference
with the payment of q pension apparently
not altogether void, but which merely had
been hxed at rate higher than that au-
thorized by law.
Fraudulent Pensions.
I am unable to understand why frauds
In the pension rolls should not be exposed
and corrected with thoroughness and vigor.
Every name fraudulently put upon these
rolls is a wicked imposition upon the kindly
sentiment In which pensions have their
origin; every fraudulent pensioner has be-
como q bad citizen: every false oath in sup
port OF a pension has made perjury more
common, and false and undeserving pen
sioners rob the people not only OF their
money, but Of the patriotic sentiment which
the survivors Of a war. fought for the pres
ervation Of the Union, ought to inspire.
Thousands OF neighborhoods have their
weil-known fraudulent pensioners. and re-
cent developments by the Bureau estab-
hsh appalling conspiracies to accomplish
pension frauds. By no means the least
wrong done is to brave and deserving pen
sioners. who certainly ought not to be con-
demned to such association.
Those who attempt in the line Of duty
to rectify these wrongs Should not be ac-
cused OF enmity or Indifference to the
claims of honest veterans.
The sum expended on account Of PEN
sions for the year ending June 30. 1893,
was $156. 74O. 467.14.
The Commissioner estimates that $685.
100000 will be required to pay pensions
during the year ending June 30. 1894
The Indians.
The condition Of the Indians and their
ultimate fate are subjects which are re-
lated to a sacred duty of the Government
and which strongly appeal to the sense OF
Justice and the sympathy OF our people
Our Indians number about 24S.000. Most
Of them are located On 161 reservations
containing S6.11G5S1 acres Of land. About
10000 Of these Indians have, to a large de-
gree. adopted civilized customs Lands in
severalty have been allotted to many OF
them. Such allotments have been made to
10000 individuals during the last fiscal year
embracing about 1.OOO.oo0 acres. The num-
Der Of Indian Government schools open dur
ing the year was 1875. an increase Of l.
over the preceding year. OF this total 17C
were on reservations, of which 13 were
boarding schools and 81 were day schools
Twenty boarding schools and 8 day schools
supported by the Government were not To-
Gated on reservations. The total number OF
Indian children enrolled during the year as
attendants Of all schools was 21.13S. an in
crease OF 1.231 over the enrolment for the
previous year.
I am sure that secular education and
moral and religious teaching must be i'm
pcrtant factors in any effort to save the
Indian and lead him to civilization. be
lieve. too. that the REIMBURSEMENT Of triba
relations and the holding Of land In sever
atty may in favorable conditions, aid thi.
contamination. 1t seems to me, however
that allotments Of land in severalty ought
to be made with great care and circum
spection. II hastily done, before the In
dian knows its meaning. while yet he ha.
little or no idea Of filling a farm and nj
conception Of thrift, there is great dangel
that q reservation life in tribal relation.
may be exchanged for the pauperism OF
civilization. instead Of its independence and
elevation.
The solution Of the Indian problem de
ponds very largely upon good administra
ton. The personal fitness of agents and
their adaptability to the peculiar duty OF
caring for their wards. is Of the utmost
Importance
The law providing that, except In especia,
cases. Army officers shall be detailed as In.
dian agents. It is hoped will prove a sue.
cessful experiment
There is danger OF great abuses creepinf
into the prosecution Of claims for Indian
depredations. and I recommend that ever,
possible safeguard be provided against the
enforcement OK unjust and fictitious claim.
of this description.
The appropriations on account Of the In
dian Bureau for the year ending June 80
compared with the year preceding it Of
$751;, 1875.
The Public Lands.
The vast area OF land which. but a shor-
time ago. constituted the public domain Il
rapidly falling into private hands 1t 4.
certain that In the transfer the benefcent
u
its domain homes to the industrious and
worthy home-seekers Is often frustrated
Though the Spectator, who stands with
extortionate purpose between the land office
and those who. with their families are in.
vited by the Government to settle on the
public lands. is a despicable character who
ought not to be tolerated. yet It is Difficult,
to thwart his schemes. The recent OPENING
to settlement Of the lands in the Cheroket
Outlet, embracing an area OF $500. 600 acres
Notwithstanding the utmost care in framins
the regulations governing the selection OF
locations and Notwithstanding the presence
of United States troops, furnished an exhi.
bition, though perhaps in a modified de.
gree, of the mad scramble, the violence
and the fraudulent occupation which have
accompanied previous openings OF public
land.
1 concur with the Secretary in the belief
that these outrageous incidents can not be
entirely prevented without a change in the
laws on the subject, and hope his recon-
mendations in that direction will be favor.
ably considered.
1 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 oul
forests from indiscriminate and remediIess
destruction