Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1894-12-12

the conditions lof the various treaties.
He says that on the 18th Of March last a
new treaty with China In further regula-
lation of emigration was signed at WASH
ington and on Aug. ~ 1t received tho
sanction OF the senate.
THE JAF-cHiNRsE AFFAIR.
A gratifying recognition Of the uniform
impartiality of this country toward all
foreign states was manifested by the
ooincldent request Of the Chinese and
Japanese governments that the agents OF
the United States should, within proper
limits, afford protection TO the subjects
OF the other during the suspension OF
diplomatic relations due to state OF war.
Acting under stipulation In our treaty
with Korea (the first concluded with q
western power) felt constrained at the
beginning of the controversy to tender
our good offices to induce an amicable
arrangement of the initial difficulty grow
ing out OF the Japanese demands for the
administrative reforms In Korea; but the
unhappy precipitation OF actual hostilities
defeated this kindly purpose. Deplorlng
the destructive war between the two most
powerful OF the eastern nations and anx-
ious that our commercial interests In
those countries may be preserved and
that the safety of our citizens there shall
not be jeopardized, l would not hesitate
to heed any intimation that our friendly
aid for the honorable termination of hos
tilitles would be acceptable to both belli-
gerents.
THE INDIAN PROBLEM.
/ am convinced that the proper solu-
ton of the Indian problem and the sue
cess OF every step taken In that direction
depends TO large extent upon the intel
ligence 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 al
lotment OF their lands and his advice as
to any matter concerning their welfare
will not mislead An unfit agent will
make no effort to advance the Indians on
his reservation toward civilization.
INDIAN SCHOOLS.
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 sound and
practical manner. Five institutes of
Indian 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 CON-
paratively short time they may give way
altogether to government schools, and II
is hoped that the change may be so gradual
as to be perfected without too great ex-
pense to the government to undue disre.
gard OF investments made by those who
have established and are maintaining such
contract schools.
PENSIONS.
On the Both day OF June, 1894, there
were 969, 544 persons OH our pension rolls,
being net increase Of 1852 over the
number reported at the end of the previ.
GUS year These pensioners may be elias.
sified as follows: Soldiers and sailors
survivors of all wars, 1885 widows and
relatives Of deceased soldiers, 215, 1852
army nurses In the war OF the rebellion
Ala. OF these pensioners 81, 039 are sur.
viving soldiers Of Indian and other wars
prior to the late civil war, and the widows
and relatives Of such soldiers. The re-
naming numbering 987 sos, are receiving
pensions on account Of the war of the re.
bellion, and of these 469, 344 are on the
rolls under the authority Of the act OF
OF June 81, 1890, sometimes called the
dependent pension law. The total amount
expended for pensions during the yea
was $l39, 1904, 461.05, leaving an unex
pended balance from the sum appropriat
ed Of $25, 205, 1895. The sum necessary
to meet pension expenditures for the yeal
ending June 30, 1895, Is estimated at $140,
DOC, 900. The commissioner of pensions
Is OF the opinion that the year 1895 being
the thirtieth after the close OF the war o.
the rebellion, must according to al
human calculation see the limit of tn,
pension roll and that after that year i
must begin to decline. The claims pend
ing in the bureau have decreased more
than 10000 during the year A large
proportion Of the new claims filed are fol
increase of pension by those now on the
rolls. The number of certificates ISSUED
| was 60,213. The names dropped from
the rolls for all causes during the yea
numbered 37,951.. Among our pensioner,
are nine widows and three daughters o
soldiers Of the revolution and forty-flv,
survivors OF the war Of 1912.
PENSION FRAUDS.
The barefaced and extensive pension
frauds exposed under the direction OF tn,
| courageous and generous veteran soldie
| now at the head Of the bureau, leaves NJ
room for the claim that no purgation o
our pension rolls was needed, or that con
tinued vigilance and prompt action ar
not necessary to the same end. The 40
cusation that an effort to detect pension
| frauds Is evidence of unfriendlines
toward our worthy veterans, and denia
OF their claims to the generosity OF tn,
government. suggests an unfortunate in
difference to tho commission Of any Of
Tense which has for it's motive the secur
ing of pension, and indicates willing
ness to be blind to the existence Of meal
and treacherous crimes, which play upol
demagogic fears, and make sport OF tn,
patriotic impulse Of a grateful people.
TIE OWL SERVICE.
The advantages to the public service o
an adherence to the principles of civi
service reform are constantly more up
parent; and nothing Is 30 encouraging K
those in official life who honestly desir,
good government as the increasing ap
probation by our people Of these advan
tages. A vast majority Of the voters o
the land are ready to insist that the tim,
and attention Of those they select to per
form for them, important public duties
should not be distracted by doing ou
minor offices, and they are growing to b,
unanimous in regarding party organiza
tlons as something that should be uset
In establishing party principles instead o
debating the distribution Of public places
as rewards Of partisan activity. Numer
GUS additional offices and places hav,
lately been brought within civil servic,
rules and regulations, and some Others
will probably soon be included.
NATIONAL BOARD OF HEALTH.
am entirely convinced that we ough
not to be longer without national boart
OF health or national health officer
charged with no other duties than such al
pertain to the protection of our countr,
from the invasion of pestilence and di
sease. This would involve the establish
ment by such board or officer Of proper
quarantine precautions or the neoessar,
aid and counsel to local authorities OF
the subject, prompt advice and assistanc,
to local boards Of health or health officerl