The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1896-12-11

EHEsanaK Forestry SYSTEM
The commission app0:nt4a from the mem
bership of the National academy - sciences.
provided for by an act of congress to fOrmdlate
plans for national forestry system, will. it is
hoped. soon be prepared 10 present the result
OF tbof6iisl aud Intelligent examination OF this
i'm p9Ttalt shUjcCs.
Oar Indian Wards.
The total Indian population Of the United
States is III ,S31, according TO census made in
I 81, exclusive Of those within Chs state OF
New FORK ana those Comprising the ave ciSil=
lied tribes OF this Number there are approx
the year "a. 1893 of these were enrolled and may
be ii schools. The progress which has attend
ed recent efforts 70 extend Indian school faetl-
tiles and the anticipated Of continued liberal
appropriations to that end car not fall to
afford the utmost satisfaction to those %1s he
lieye that the education Of Indian children is
prime factor In the accomplishment OF In
dan civilization.
The Fivs Civilized Tribes.
The condition Of affairs among the five civil
the Indian territory and who hate govern
ments of their own has ASSUMED such an asz
Pect as to render il almost Indispensable that
there should be an entire efatlk6 in, the rela-
lions Of these Indians to the general govern
ment. This seems to De necessary in further
5nee OF their own interests, as well as for the
protection of n9n-1ndtan residents In their ter
titory a commission organized and en-
powered Under several recent laws Is now
REIMBURSEMENT of their c6trts, and the df=
vision Of their common lands III seferalty,
some question of tribal membership The
reception of their first proffers Of negotiation
was not encouraging, but through patience and
such conduct on their part rs demonstrated
that their intentions were friendly and In the
interest of the tribes, the prospect of success
has become more promising.
Utah GiIsOiIte Deposits.
1t appears that a very valuable deposit of
gilsonfte or asphaItum has been found on ire
reservation in Utah occupied by the Uncom-
paghre Ute Indians. Every consideration Of
care for the public interest and every sensible
business reason, dictate such management or
disposal OF this important source Of public
revenue as will except 1t from the general
rules and incidents attending the ordinary dis
position of public lands and secure to the ggv~
eminent falr share, at least Of It's advantages
in place of it's transfer for nominal sum to In
tereSted tndividualiSm.
A Permanent Indian Commission.
I indorse the recommendation made by the
present secretary Of the interior, as we'll as
his predecessor that permanent commission,
shall be an army officer, be created to perform
the duties now devolvlng upon the commits
sioner and assistant commissioner OF Indtah
affairs.
Tho Pension Roll.
The diminution of our enormous pension roll
and the decrease OF pension expenditure which
have been often confidently fOretold still fail
In material realization. The number Of PEN
sioners the roll at the close of the fiscal
year ended June 30, 1896, was 970,678. This is
the largest number ever reported. The amount
paid exclusively for pensions during the year
was S1SS. PA 761.94, d slight decrease from that
of the preceding year, while the total expendiz
lures account of pensions, including the
cost OF maintaining the department. and
expenses attending pension distribution,
small fraction of one-third of the entire ex-
pense of supporting the government during
certicafeS issued was co 40 Or tbese 40 AZ
represent original allowance of claims, and 49,,
SIS increases of existing pensions. The num-
Der Of persons receiving pensions from the
United States. residing foreign countries
at the close Of the last fiscal year, was $751;
and the amount paid to them during the year
was S5S2,735.38 The sum appropriated for the
payment of pensions for the current fiscal
year, ending June 20, 1897, is Sl4O,OO0C00, and
for the succeeding year 1t is estimated that the
same amount will be necessary.
The commissioners of pensions reports that
during the last fiscal year 49, indictments were
found against violators of the pension laws
Upon these indictments 167 convictions re-
suited.
Pacific Railroad Obligations.
The secretary calls attention to the public
interests involved in an adjustment OF the OBJ
legations of the Pacific railroads to the govern
ment. deem 1t to be an important duty to
especially present this subject to the consider
ton of the congress.
Under section of the act of congress passed
March 3, 1887, the president is charged with
the duty in the event that any mortgage or
other incumbrance paramount to the interest
of the United States in the property of the
Pacific railroads shall exist and be lawfully
liable to be fOrecoSed, to direct the action of
the departments Of the treasury and of justice
in the protection Of the interest of the United
States by redemption or through judicial pro-
ceedings, including foreclosures of the gov
eminent liens. In view of the fact that the
congress has for a number OF years almost
constantly had under consideration various
plans for dealing with the conditions existing
between these roads and the government, 1
have thus far felt justified in Withholding &C
tion under the statute above mentioned.
An Urgent Situation.
In the case of the Union Pacific company
however, the case has become especially and
Immediately urgent Proceedings have been
instituted to foreclose first mortgage upon
these aided parts of the main lines upon
which the government holds q second and
subordinate mortgage lien. In consequence of
these proceedings and increasing complica-
tionS, added to the default occurring on the
first day of January, 1ee7, condition will be
presented ut that date, SO far as this company
is concerned, that must emphasize the man
date OF the act OF 1887 and give to executive
duty under its provisions a more important
aspect. %
Therefore, unless congress shall other wise
direct or shall have previously determined
upon a different solution Of the problem there
will hardly appear to exist any reason for de-
laying, beyond the date of the default above
mentioned, such executive action as will prom
Use to subServe the public interests and save
the government from the loss threatened by
further inactton.