Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-04

alteration u rapidly losing title to Inn
mense tracts Of land covered with timber
which should be properly reserved as
permanent sources of timber-supply.
The suggestion that a change be made
In the manner Of securing surveys OF the
public lands ID especially worthy Of con-
sideration. am satisfied that these sur
veys should be made by o corps of COM
petent surveyors tnder Che Immediate
control and direction Of th4 Commissioner
Of the General Land Oni4e.
An exceedingly important recommended
tion OF the Secretary's ielates TO the
n amer In which contests and litigated
cases growing out of efforts to obtain
government land are determined. The
entire testimony upon which these con-
trcversles depend In all their stages Is
taken before the local registers and re-
ceivers. and yet these officers have no
power to subpoena witnesses or to en-
force their attendance to testify. These
cases. numbering 5000 or 1000 annually,
are sent by the local officers to the
Commissioner Of the General Land Office
for his action. The exigencles of his
other duties oblige him TO act upon the
decisions or the registers and receivers
without an opportunity Of thorough per-
sonal examination. Nearly 1000 OF these
Ndoto hO oPPN1Atl ITOlf tfl6
commissioner to the Secretary of the
Interior. Burdened with other impor-
tant administrative duties. his deter
mlnation Of these appeals must be al
most perfunctory. and, based upon the
examination of others. though this de-
termination OF the Secretary's operates
as final adjudication upon rights OF very
great Importance
concur in the opinion that the Com
missioner of the General Land Office
should be relieved from ithe duty OF de-
Gliding ltigated-iand case@.: that nom
partisan court should be created to pass
on such cases. and that tie decisions of
this court should be final, at least 50
far as the final decisions :of the depart
ment are now final. The proposed court
might be given authority 20 certify ques-
lions OF law In matters of especial
Importance to the Supreme Court OF
the United States, or the Court of Ap-
peals for the District Of Columbia for
decision.
The creation Of such a tribunal would
expedite the disposal OF cases, and insure
decisions Of more satisfactory charac-
ter The registers and receivers who
originally hear and decide these disputes
should be invested with authority to COM
pei witnesses to attend and testify be-
fore them.
THE ABORIGINAL.
Though the conditions OF the Indians
shows steady and healthy progress.
their situation is not satisfactory in all
points. Some of them, to whom allot-
ments OF land have been made, are found
to be unable or disincllned to follow
agricultural pursuits or to otherwise
beneficially manage their land. This Is
oil 49, - 10 ,~.1
Arapahoes, who. as 1t appears by reports
of their agents have in many Instances
never been located upon their allotments.
and In some cases do not even know
where their allotments are. Their condi-
ton has deteriorated. They are not self
supporting, and they live In camps and
spend their time in idleness
/ have always believed that allotments
Of reservation lands to Indians In seve-
rally should be made sparingly, or, at
least. slowly. and with the utmost eau
ton. In these days. whom white agri-
culturists and stock-raisers of ex-
perience and intelligence hrd their lot a
hard one we ought not 70 expect In
dams. unless far advanced in civiliza-
ton and habits of industry. 10 support
themselves on the small tracts or land
usually allotted to them.
If the self-supporting scheme by allot-
ment fails, the wretched pauperism OF
the allottees which results is worse than
their original condition OF regulated de-
pendence 1t Is evident that the evil con-
sequence Of ill-advlsed allotments are in
tensified in the cases where the false step
cannot be retraced on account or the
purchase by the governm st or reserva-
ton lands remaining afNr allotments
are made, and the disposi'tln OF such re-
naming lands to setterssor purchasers
from the government.
am convinced that tl7 proper solu-
ton of the Indian probler.. and the sue
cess of every step taken IN that direction,
depend TO n very large extent upon the
intelligence and honesty Of the reservation
agents and the interest they have In their
work. An agent fitted for his place can
do much toward preparing the Indians
under his charge for citizenship and allot-
ment of their lands. and :Iis advice as 70
any matter concerning their welfare Will
not mlslead. An UNIT agent VIII make no
effort 10 advance the Indlfns on his reser-
walton toward civilization: or preparation
for allotment OF lands u severalty, and
his opinion as 10 their e.ndition in this
and other regards is he'Sless and value
The indications are tEst the detail Of
army officers as indian agents will result
I'm improved management on the reserva-
tons.
Whenever allotments are made and
any Indian on the reservation has pre-
viously settled upon lot and cultivated
II. or shown a disposition TO improve IL
in any way. such lot should certainly be
allotted to him. and this should be made
plainly obligatory by statute.
In the light of experience. anG consid-
erlng the uncertainty Of the Indian stu
alton and its exigenciee in the future,
/ am not only disposed = be very eau
tious In making allotments, but | incline
to agree with the Secretary OF the Int
rior in the opinion that when allotments
are made. the balance Of reservation land
remaining after allotment instead OF being
bought by the government from the In
dams and opened for settlement. with
such scandals and unfair practices az
seem unavoidable should remain. for
time at least. as common lands, or be sold
by the government on behalf OF the
Indians In On orderly way, and at fixed
prices to be determined by It's location
and desrability. and that the proceeds,
less expenses, should be held in trust for
the benefit Of the Indian proprietors.
The intelligent Indian schOol manage
ment of the past year has been followed
by gratifying results. Efforts have been
made TO advance the work In a sound and
practical manner Five Institutes VI In
dian teachers have been held during the
year and have proved very beneficial
through the views exchanged and methods
discussed particularly applicable to In
dian education.
Efforts are being made IN the direction
Of a gradual reduction Of the number
OF Indian contract schools So that In
a comparatively short time they may
give way altogether TO government
schools, and It is hoped that the change
may be 50 gradual as TO be perfected
without too great expense 10 the govern
ment or undue disregard Of investments
made by those who have established ana
are maintaining such contract schools.
The appropriation for the current year
ending June 30. 1895. applicable TO the
ordinary expenses of the Indian service
amounts to $6.723,0 O3.1S. being less by
$685.. 24cG4 than the sum apr opria ted on
the same account for the previous year
PENSIONS.
At the close of the last fiscal year
on the 30th day of June. 1884, there were
96s, 5ii persons on our pension rolls. being
net increase OF 1882 over the number
reported at the end OF the previous year
These pensioners may be classified as
follows: Soldiers and sailors. survivors OF
all wars. 75396S widows and relatives OF