Daily Kennebec journal., 1894-12-04

for the year ending June 30, lG6, are large, but
they include practically the entire sum neces-
sary to complete and equip all the new ships
not now in commission, SO that unless new
ships are authorized, the appropriation for
the naval service for the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1877, should fall below the estimates
for the coming year by at least sl2,0O0!00O.
The secretary presents with much earnest
ness plea for the authorization of three ad-
ditional batteships and 10 or 12 torpedo boats.
While the unarmored vessels heretofore au
thorized including those now nearing com
pletion, will constitute a feet which it is be
lieved is sufficient for ordinary cruising pur
poses in time of peace, we have now completed
and in process of construction but four first
class battleships and but few torpedo boats
II We ars to have y navy for warlike opera
tions, offensive and defensive, we certainty
ought to increase both the number OF battle
ships and torpedo boats.
l recommend that provision be made for the
construction Of additional battleships and
torpedo boats. The secretary recommends
the manufacture not only OF a reserve supply
of ordnance and ordnance material for shtps
of the navy, but also supply for the au1ii-
iary fleet Guns and their appurtenances
should be provided and kept on hand for both
these purposes.
d, During tine 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-
rection, a large feet was cOncent~ ted 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 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
now in progress between China and Japan has
rendered it necessary or expedient to dispatch
eight vessels to those waters.
feel it my imperative duty to call atten-
ton to the recommendation Of the secretary,
IN regaHd to the personnel of the line of the
navy. The stagnation Of promotion in this
branch OF the service is SO great as to seriously
impair its efficiency. Young and middleaged
should, before the eve Of retirement, be per.
mitted to reach grade emitting them to &C
tive and important duty.
The system adopted few years ago resulat
ing the employment Of labor at the navy
yards is rigidly upheld and has fully demon
strated its usefulness and expediency.
Secretary Smiths Report.
The report of the secretary Of the interior
exhibits the situation OF the numerous and in
teresting branches Of the public service con-
nected with his department.. The public land
dist, p,sed Of during the year amounted to TO-
4C6lOO.T acres, including 28,816O5 Of Indian
lands
1t is estimated that the public domain still
remaining amounts to little more than 6O0
10000 acres, excluding, however, about $780,
OU,Uo acres in Alaska, IS well as military res
ervations and railroad and other selections of
lands yet unadjudicated.
The total cash receipts for sale of lands
amounted to s2,674, ,2S579, including s9l, 1881. .09
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 ineffi-
cient appropriation.
fully indorse the recommendation Of the
secretary that adequate protection be provided
for our forest reserves, and that a comprehen-
sive forestry system he inaugurated.
/ concur in the opinion that the commits
sioner of the general land office should be re-
Eeved from the duty of deciding litigated land
cases, that non-partisan court should be ere.
a5ed to pass on such cases. and that the deci-
sions of this court should he final, at least so
far as the decisions of the department are now
final.
Though the condition Of the Indians show
steady and healthy progress their situation 10
to whom nllotments OF land have been made
are found to be unable or disinclined to follow
agricultural pursuits, or to otherwise bene-
ficially manage their land. This is especially
true Of the Cbeyenncs and Arapahoes, who, as
it appears by reports. have in many instances
never been located on their aIlotmenis and in
some cases do not know where their alIot-
ments are. Their condition has deteriorated.
They arr rot self-supporting. and they live In
camps and spend their time in idleness.
have always believed that allotments of
reservation md to Indians in severaIty
should be made -paringly. or at least slowly,
and With the utmost caut;ol. In these days
when white agriculturalists and stock raisers
of experiences and intelligence find their lot
hard one we ought not to expees Indians. ur,.
less far advanced in civilization and habits of
industry, to support themselves on the small
tracts Of land usually allotted to them
1 am convinced that the proper solution of
the Indian problem and the, success Of every
step taken in that direction depend to very
large extent upon the intelligence and honesty
OF the reservation agents and the interest
they have in their work. Anagent fitted for
his place can do much toward preparing the
Indians under his charge for. citizenship and
allgtment Of their larads. and his advice a. to
any matter concerning their welfare win NOT
ufSteod go =.
The intelligent Iadiaa school arrangement Of