The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1895-12-07
THE INTERIOR.


Washington. Nov. 1s.-The report OF Mr.
Hokc Smith. secretary OF the interior.
elnoorateiy reviews tho varied work OF
the interior department. IL begins with
the Indian service and calls attention TO
tho strict enforcement which has been
given 70 civil service reform. both as to
those places covered by tho classified
service and those 20 which the rules OF this
service do not apply. IL dwellt upor the
necessity OF eliminating politics from tho
management OF Indian Affairs. and OF con-
quoting each reservation upon strictly
busincas principles. tho object being 20
make every Indian who remains upon the
reservation seif-supporting and ready, as
soon ah possible. 70 assume the duties OF
citizenship and be freed from tne paternai
care OF the government. He recommends
that instead Of single commissioner OF
Indian Affairs the service be placed In
charge OF three commiasionors-two OF
them 10 be civiiians-to be appointed from
different political parties and ono 10 he a
detailed army officer.
The report shows that the attendance
upon the Indian schools Increased 800
during the past year. nearly one-hGif or
the Increase being In the government day
schools. The reduction OF 20 per cent
which tho law required TO DO made In con-
nection with the contract schools has
been strictly carried out. and tho secre-
tary adds that there seems TO be no rea-
son why such reduction should not con-
tinuc from year TO year until the system
OF government aid 10 sectarian schools
shall terminate.
The secretary also recommends that gem
eral authority. with the approval OF the
president. be given the Indian bureau 10
sell parts OF Indian reservations, the
money 10 be used exclusively in the i'm
provement OF allotted lands or for the
purpose Of furnishing agricultural imrle-
ments and cattle 10 the Indians who may
reside upon the remaining lands.
The report reviews the Jackson's Hole
disturbances and gives an account OF the
active means taken by the department TO
secure justice for the killing or the Ban
mock Indians on July Is last. and also TO
preserve peace between the Indians and
the whites He commends the peaceful
course or the Indians under circum-
stances 80 extremely asgravating on the
part or the whites-
The report estimates tho amount Of
public lands undisposed or 10 be about
o00.000.0o0 acres az tho close OF the fiscal
year. and shows that the total receipts
during the yenr for public lands amounted
70 over 500. zoe 900. The unndJusted land
grants 10 railroads amount 20 nearly 90,-
100000 acres. The secretary suggests the
advisubility OF patcnting the arid lands
10 the states after IL ~ fully determined
that the selectionc made by them under
tho Carey act are arid lands.
Under the subject OF forests the score
tary calls attention 10 the fact that l7.0Oy.-
600 acres are row included within forest re-
serves, the object being TO thus preserve
the forests for future use and through
their preservation 10 control the supply or
water so that Il may be stored and utilized
for irrigation. There are but 30 special
agents 10 protect the timber upon the en-
tire public domain. TO examine swamp
lands, 20 investigate fraudulent land en-
trie8-a force too small TO permit anything
20 be done towards guarding the forest
reservations. Unless some plan Is devised
BY congress for the protection or the for
ests. either by the army or by forestcrs liy-
Ing upon tho reservations. it IL manifest
that the object sought TO DO accomplished
will fail.
The review OF the pension ONCE shows
the aggregate or tho pension roll at tho
close or the year 70 be 1.0i2.9 1856. Referring
TO the number or pending cases, the state
ment is made that the greater part OF these
are old cases, lacking some quality "
proof which the law requires.
One on the interesting features or the re-
port IL the discussion OF tho relations be-
tween the government and the bond
aided roads and the possibility OF collect
ing the amount due the government from
these roads. Tho report urges that TWO
things are TO be considered 1. The coll
cction OF the debt duo 10 the government.
q The creation OF great through limo
from the Missouri TO fhe Pacific. which was
the ofiginui purpose % tire government
leading 10 the issue OF subsidy bonds He
states that the government Is already out
SILT $4,000 upon these roads. and that tho
first mortgage bonds only amount 10 t6f.-
Cl3.000. that the property is worth vastly
moro than the first mortgage bonds. AMI
that the government interests can be pro-
tected. II necessary. by taking up these
bonds.