The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-12-05
THE VERMONT wATCHMAN, WEDNESDAY,, DECEMBER $, 1894.

IL we are to have a navy for warlike opera
tions, offensive and defensive, we certainly
ought to increase both the number of battle
ships and torpedo boats.
l that provision be made for the
construction OF additional battleships and
torpedo boats. The secretary
the manufacture not only of u reserve supply
of ordnance and ordnance material for ships
of the navy, but also II supply for the auxil'
larry fleet Guns and their appurtenances
should he provided and kept on hand for both
these purposes.
during the past fiscal year there has been
an unusual and pressing demand in many
quarters OF the world for the presence of yes
sells to guard American interests.
In January last, during the Brazilian insur-
r%ection, n large fleet was concentrated In the
harbor of Rio de Janeiro. The vigorous action
OF Rear Admiral Benham in protecting the
personal and commercial rights Of our citizens
during the disturbed condition afforded re-
suits which will, it is believed, have n far
reaching and wholesome influence whenever
IN like circumstances it may become necessary
for our naval commanders to interfere on be-
half OF our people in foreign ports. The war
new in progress between China and Japan has
rendered it necessary or expedient to dispatch
eight vessels to those waters.
l tcel 1t my imperative duty to call atten-
non TO the recommendation OF the secretary,
IN regard to the personnel Of the line of the
navy Inc slagnaUlOn OF promOtlOn IN tns
branch OF the service is SO great a.. to seriously
impair its efficiency. Young and middle-aged
should, before the eve Of retirement, be per-
mitted to reach a grade emitting them to ac-
tive and IMPORTANT duty.
The system ad ,pted a few years ago regulat-
ing tho employment Of labor ut the navy
yard, is rigidly uphold and has fully demon
strated its usefulness and expediency.
Secretary smiths Report.
NJ A--4--
exhibits the situation Of the numerous and in
teresting branche' Of the public service con-
nsctcd with his department. The public land
disp ,-cd Of during the year amounted to l0,-
Ao.l0o77 acres, including ~,s,S76.05 of Indian
lands.
1t is estimated that the public domain still
remaining amounts to n little moe than 6O,-
10000 acres, excluding, however, about $780,
0O,UO acres in Alaska, a. well as military res
srvations and railroad and other selections Of
lands yet unadjudicated.
The total cash recoipts for sale of lands
amounted to s2,674, 2S5. 10, including SOL ,9Sl.0
received for Indian lands.
1t appears that the appropriation for the
current year, on account OF special service for
the public lands and the timber thereon, is
much less than those Of previous years and in.
adequate for an efficient performance of the
work. hope it will not be crippled by ineff-
cient appropriation.
1fully indorsc the accommodates of the
secretary that adequate protection b. provided
for our forest reserves, and that a comprehen-
sivs forestry system be inaugurated.
l concur in the opinion that the commits
sioner OF the general land Office should be re-
lievod from the duty Of deciding litigated land
cases, that a non-partissn court should be Gre
ated to pass on such cases, and that the deci-
.ions of this C ,urt should be final, at least so
far as tho decisions OF the department are now
Anal.
Though the condition OF the Indians show a
steady and healthy progress, their situation is
not satisfactory at all points. Some of them
to whom allotments Of land have been made
are found to be unable or disinclined to follow
agricultural pursuits, or to otherwise bene-
icially manage their land. This is especially
true of the Cheyennes and Arapahoes, who, as
1t appears by reports, have In many instances
never been located on their allotments, and in
some cases do not know where their allot.
ments are. Their condition has deteriorated.
They are not self-supporting, and they live An
camps and spend their time in idleness.
Ihave always believed that of
reservation lands to Indians in severalty
should be made sparingly, or at least slowly
and with the utmost caution. In these days
whom white agriculturalists and stock raisers
Of experience and intelligence find their lot q
hard one we ought not to expect Indians, un
less far advanced in civilization and habits OF
industry, to support themselves on the small
tracts Of land usually allotted to them.
l am convinced that the proper solution Of
the Indian problem and the success Of every
step taken in that direction depend to a very
large extent upon the intelligence and honesty
Of the reservation agents and the interest
they have in their work. An agent fitted fol
his place can do much toward preparing tn,
Indians under his charge for citizenship and
allotment OF their lands, and his advice as tt
any mattor concerning their welfare will ne
mislead.
The intelligent Indian school management o.
the past year has been followed by gratifying
results.
The appropriation for the current year, end
ing June 80, 1895, applicable to tho ordinary
expenses OF the Indian service, amounts tx
So, 735, OO3. Is, being less by s663, 240.64 than thu
sum appropriated on the same amount for tn,
previous year.
Pensions.
At the close of the fiscal year, on June 80
1894, there were $50, 744 persons on our pension
rolls, being anet increase of 1882 over the mum
bsr reported at the end OF the previous year
These pensioners may be classified as follows
Soldiers and sailors, survivors Of all wars
753, 96S; widows and relatives of deceased sol
diers, 2l5, l62; army nurses in the war of tn,
rebellion, Ala. OF these pensioners 32 ,039 ar,
surviving soldiers of Indian and other war
prior TO the late civil war, and the widows OF
relatives OF such soldiers.
The remainder, numbering 937 ,505, are re
ceiving pensions on account OF the war of thu
reDelllOIl, anu VI lItst fop,O1t are On tne rOl
under the authority of the act of June 27, 1890
The total amount expended for pensions dur
ing the year wa 3l39, S04, 46l .05, leaving un
expended from the sum appropriated $25,
205, 1l2.65. The sum necessary to meet pension
expenditures for the year ending June 80, 1895
is estimated Mt Sl4O,UOO,0D0.
The con M -s,oner of pensions is of tn,
opinion that the year 1895. being the Both afte
the close Of the war OF the rebellion, must &C
cording to all sensible human calculation, Sc
the highest limit of the pension roll, and tina
after that year it must begin to decline.
The claims pending in the bureau have de
creased more than $4,000 during the year.
The barefaced and extensive pension fraud
exposed under the direction of the courageou
and generous veteran soldier now at the hea,
Of the bureau, leave no room Tor the claim tina
no purgation Of our pension rolls was needed
or that continued vigilance and prompt action
are not necessary TO the same end.
The Census Report.
The completion Of the 18th census is now il
charge Of the commissioner OF labor. TIL
total disbursements on account Of the work TO
the hst a. year ending June ~, 1894, amounte,
to $40, $40, o7o.sl. The whole number of volume
necessary to oompr, bend the 18th census vii
be 70, and they will contain 22,270 printe,
pages.
Agriculture.
M ooo,a+ary ~ aoricuItnra L., h;a .1.o-