Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-12-12


pay speed premiums in future contracts
On March l. 1883 there were in commission but
two armored vessels, the double-turreted
monitors Miantonomoh and Monterey Since
that date. of vessels heretofore authorized,
there have been placed in their first commits
sion three tirst-class and two second-class bat
Tense ram and five double-turreted monitors,
including Maine and Puritan. just completed
Eight new unarmored cruisers and two new
gunboats have also been commissioned The
Iowa. another battleship. will be completed
about March I. and at least four more gunboats
Will be ready for in the early spring
CTne war college has developed into an insti-
tuition which it is believed will be of great
value to the navy in teaching the science of
war, as well as in stimulating professional
zeal in the navy, and it will be especially use
full in the devising of plans for the utilization.
in case of necessity. of all the naval resources
of the United States.
The naval militia. which was authorized
few years ago, as an experiment. has now de-
veloped into a body of enterprising young men.
active and energetic in the discharge of
their duties and promising great usefulness
This establishment has nearly the same relation
to navy the national guard IN the differ
ent states bears to our army. and constitutes
source of supply to our naval forces, the i'm
portance of which is Immediately apparent
The Interior Department..
The report OF the secretary of the interior
presents comprehensive and interesting ex-
hibit of the numerous and important affairs
committed to his supervision II is impossible
in this communication to do more than briefly
refer to few of the subjects concerning which
the secretary gives full and instructive infor-
nation Our public lands, originally amount
ing to 1.Si0 O00,O)O acres have been reduced
that only about 600-ru0O0J acres still remain in
government control. excluding Alaska The
balance. being by far the most valuable por-
ton. has been given away to suffers, to new
states and to railroa DIS, sold at compare
lively nominal sum
The total Indian population OF the United
States is I17.:35 according to a census made in
1895. exclusive of those within the state of New
York and those comprising the five civilized
tribes OF this number there are approx
mately IS, 900 children of school age During
the year 23,593 of these were enrolled in
schools. The progress which has attended re-
cent efforts to extend Indian school facilities
and the anticipation of CONT nued liberal ap-
preparations to that end. cannot fail to afford
believe that the education of In
dian children is prime factor in the
plishment of Indian civilization
The condition of affairs among the five civilized
tribes, who occupy large tracts of land in the
Indian territory and who have governments OF
their own, has assumed such an aspect as to
render it almost indispensable that there
should be an entire change in the relations OF
these Indians to the general government This
seems to be necessary in furtherance OF their
own interests well as for the protection of
non-Indian residents in their territory. A
commission organized and empowered under
several recent laws is now negotiating with
these Indians for the REIMBURSEMENT of their
courts and the division of their common lands
in severalty.
The reception of their first proners of nego-
tiation was not encouraging, but through pa
thence and such conduct on their part as dem
onstrated that their intentions were friendly
and in the interest of the best prospect of sue
cess has become more promising. The efforts
should be to save the Indians from the conSe-
quences of their own mistakes and IMPROVE
dence and to secure to the real Indian his
rights against intruders and profess ed
friends who profit by his retogression.
A change is also needed to protect life and
property through the operation of courts con-
Quoted according to strict justice and strong
enough to enforce their mandates.
AS a sincere friend of the Indian 1 am ex-
ceedinEly anxious that these reforms should
be accom- plfShed with the consent and aid of
sented for radical or drastic legislation
hope, therefore, that the commission now con-
Quoting negotiations will soon be able to report
that progress has been made toward friendly
adjustment of existing difficulties
1t appears that very valuable de posit of
gilsonite asphaltum has been found on the
reservation in Utah occupied by the Uncom-
pahgre Ute Indians Every consideration OF
for the public interest and every sensible
business reason dictate such management or
disposal of this important of public
revenue as will except it from the general
rules and incidents attending the ordinary dis
position of public lands, and secure to the gov
eminent a fair share at least of its advantages
in place of it's transfer for nominal sum to
interested individuals.
indorse the recommendation made by the
present secretary of the interior, as well as his
consisting of three members. one of whom
shall be army officer be created to perform
the duties now devolving upon the commits
Sioner and assistant commissioner OF Indian
affairs The management of the bureau in
wolves such numerous d1verSities and the
advantages of an uninterrupted policy are SO
apparent that L hope the change suggested
will meet the approval of the congress
The Pension Roll.
The diminution of our enormous pension
roll and the decrease of pension expenditures
~ I-xyo I,ony, CT. off n
material realization The number Of pension
ers on the rolls at the close of the fiscal year
ended June 81, 1895, was 97067S. This is the
paid exclusively for pensions during the year
was S13s, PA, 1921, slight decrease from that
of the preceding year. while the total expend-
itures account of pensions, including the
cost of maintainence of the department
and expenses attending pension distribution
amounted to sI42. zoe. SO. within a very
small fraction of one-third Of the entire ex-
pense of supporting the government during the
same year. The number of new pension cert1h-
Gates issued was. 9064o. OF these 90 374 repre-
increases of existing pensions The number OF
persons receiving pensions from the United
States but residing in foreign countries at. the
close of the last fiscal year was 3,7sl, and the
amount paid to them during the year was
S5S2. 73a 49, The appropriated for the pay
ment of pensions for the current fiscal year,
ending June 30. 1897. is $780, 5000. and for the
succeeding year il is estimated that the same
amount will be necessary.
The commissioner OF pensions reports that
during the last fiscal year 33e indictments
were found against vfolators of the pension
laws Upon these indictments 167 convictions
statements these and much other informa-
tion aud observations. the abuses which have
been allowed to creep into our pension system
have done incalculable harm in demoralzing