The McCook tribune., 1896-12-18
residents in their territory. A comm

courts and the division of their common
lands in severaltv. and aiding in the settle
ment of the troublesome question of tribal
The reception of their first
proffers of negotions was not encouraging;
but through patience and such conduct on
their part as demonstrated that their inten-
tions were friendly and in the interest of
the best. prospect of success has become
more promising. The efforts should be TO
save the Indians from the consequences of
their own mistakes and improvidence, and
TO secure to the real Indian his rights as
against intruders and professed friends who
profit by his retrogrcssion.
change. is also needed to protect lite and
through the operations of courts
conducted according to strict justice and
strong enough to enforce their mandates.
VS. a sincere friend of the Indian am ex-
ceedingly anxious that these reforms should
be accomplished with the consent and aid of
the tribes and that no necessity may be pre-
sented for radical or drastic legislation.
hope therefore, that the commission now
conducting negotiations will soon be able to
report that progress has been made toward
a friendly adjustment of existing dificul-
ties
PACIFIC RAILROADS.
On January IL, 1897. with the amount
already matured. more than $4,000, 600 of
the principal of the subsidiary bond issued
by the United States in aid of the construc-
tion of the Union Pacific railway, including
its Kansas line, and more than Sc. 600, 900 of
like bonds issued in aid of the Central Pa
cifc railroad, including those issued to the
Western Railway company will have fallen
due and been paid or must on that day be
paid by the government Without any ref
erence TO the application of the sinking fund
now in the treasury this Will create such a
default on on the part of the companies to
the government a. win give it the right to
at once institute proceedings to foreclose its
mortgage lien. In addition to this indebted
ness which will be due January 1, 1897
there will mature between that date and
January /, 1899 the remaining principal of
such subsidy bonds which must also be met
by the government These amount to more
than S20,0O0,000 on account Of the Union
Pacific lines and exceeds S21. OOO, 900 on ac-
count of the Central Pacific lines.
In the case of the Union Pacific company
the situation has become especially urgent.
Proceedings have been instituted to fore
close first mortgage upon those aided parts
of the main lines upon which the Govern
ment holds second and subordinate mort
gage lien. In consequence of these proceed
ings and increasing complications, added TO
the default occurring on the first day of
January, 1897, condition will be presented
at that date, so far as this company is con-
cerned that must emphasize the mandate of
the act of 1887 and give to executive duty
under its provisions a more imperative
aspect.
Unless Congress shall otherwise direct or
shall have previously determined upon a
different solution of the problem there will
hardly appear to exist any reason for delay
ing beyond the date of the default above
mentioned such executive action as will
promise to subserve the public interests and
save the government from the loss threat
ened by further inaCtion.
OFFENSIVE PARTISANSHIP.
The progress made IN civil service reform
furnishes a cause for the utmost COngratu-
lation. It has survived the doubts of its
friends as well as the ranCor of its enemies;
and has gained a permaneES place among
the agencies destined to cleanse our politics
and improve ecOnomize and elevate the
public service. There are now in the COM
petitiye classified service upwards of 81 600
places. More than half of these have been
included from time to time since March 4,
1898. A most radical and sweeping eXten-
sion was made by executive order dated the
9th day of May 1896. And if fourth class
postmdSterships are not included in the
statement it may be said that practically
all positions contemplated by the civil SER
vice law are now classified. Abundant rea-
sons exist for including these postmaster
ships based upon economy, improved ser
vice and the peace and quiet of neighbor-
hoods. If, however. obstacles prevent such
action at present I earnestly hope that con-
gress will, without increasing pOstOftCe ap-
propriatiOns, SO adjust them as to permit in
proper cases a consolidation of these
postoffceS to the end that through this pro-
cess tho result desired may to . limited ex
tent be accomplished.
DThe civil service rules as amended during
the last year provides for a sensible and
uniform method of promotion, basing eng-
ibility to better positions upon demon
strated efficiency and faithfulness. The
absence of fixed rules on this subject has
been an infrmity in the system more and
more apparent its other benefits have been
better appreciated. The advantage of civil
service methods in their business aspects
are too well understood to require argu-
ment. Their application has become ne
Cessity to the executive work of the govern
ment. But those who gain through the
operation of these methods should be made
to understand that the non-partisan scheme
through which they receive their appoint
ments demands from them, by way of re-
CiproCity, non-partiSan and faithful per-
formanCe OF duty under every administra-
ton, and cheerful fidelity to every chief.
While they should be encouraged to de-
Gently exercise their rights of citizenship
and TO support through their suffrageS the
noisy, persistent and partisan employe, who
loves political turmoil and contention, or
who renders lax and grCdging service to an
not representing his political
views, should be promptly and fearleSsly
dealt with in such 4 way as to furnish a
warning to others who may be likewise dis
posed
THE TARIFF LAW.
I desire to reCur to the statements else
where made concerning the governments
receipts and expenditures for the purpose
of venturing upon some suggestions touch
ing our present tariff law and its operation.
This statute too, effect on the 28th day of
-..~.sr Iagt =~-. ---~ nc It's short
comings as complete Gteasure of tarlu
reform. it must be conceded that it has
opened the way to freer and greater ex-
change of commodities between US and other
countries, and thus furnished wider mar
ket for our products and manufactures.
The only entire year during which this
of June, 1896. In that year our imports in
creased over those of the previous year
more than Sc, SOC, 900, while the value of the
domestic products we exported and which
found markets abroad was nearly s7O.OOO,-
900 more than during the preceding year.
Those who insist that the cost to our peo-
pie of articles coming to them from abroad
for their needful use should only be in
creased through tariff changes to an extent
necessary to meet the expenses of the gov
ernment, as well as those who claim that
tariff char rCeS NAV he laid uDOn such articles