The Forrest City times., 1896-12-11
Utah Gll.on,t. p.pos,,s.


II appears that a very valuable deposit OF
ghsonlte or aSphatum has been found on the
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 VIII except II from the general
rules and incidents attending the ordinary dis
position OF public lands and secure to the gov
eminent inlr share, at least, OF its advantages
IN place OF It's transfer for a nominal sum TO in
terested lndlvldualiSm.
Permanent Indian Commission.
indorse the recommendation made by the
present secretary Of the interior, well as
his predecessor. that permanent Commission
consisting OF three members, one OF whom
shall be an army officer be created to perform
the duties now deyolving upon the commis-
affairs.
The Pension Roll.
The diminution of our enormous pension roll
and the decrease OF pension expenditure which
nave oeen so often confidently foretold still fail
IN material realization. The number OF PEN
sioneTs on the roll at the close of the fiscal
year ended June 80 1896 was g7O,67s This is
the largest number ever reported. Tie amount
pald exclusively for pensions during the year
was al5o2i4,'dlsi, a slight decrease from that
or the preceding year, while the total expendi-
lures on account of pensions, including the
cost OF maintaining the department and
oapenses s, attending pension distribution,
amounted to sl4Z,2U6. .L5O.59, or within a very
small traction OF one-third of the entire ex-
pense OF supporting the government during
tHe same year. The number OF new pension
ceftincates issued was e0.640. or these 40 37a
represent original allowance OF claims and 49,
ef6 increases OF existing pensions The num-
uer OF persons receiving pensions from the
United States. but residing In foreign countries
AT the close OF the last fiscal year was i, ,7si,
ana sas so amount 1a paid to them during the year
was SooZ.f5o So The sum appropriated for the
payment OF pensions for the current fiscal
year, ending June 90 1897 is &li0L00 O00 and
lor the succeeding year II is estimated that the
same amount will be necessary.
Inc commissioner of pensions reports that
during the last fiscal year 80 indictments were
found against volators of the pension laws
upon these indictments l67 convictions re-
suited.
Pacific Railroad Obligations.
The secretary calls attention to the public
interests inyoIved in an adjustment OF the OBJ
lgations OF the Pacific railroads to the govern
ment. l deem it to be an important duty to
especially present this subject to the consider
tion OF the congress.
Unaer section 4 OF the act of conprass nassau
Mafch j. 1857, the president is charged with
the uuty IN the event that any mortgage or
otnef lncumbrance paramount to the interest
OF the United states in the property of the
Pacific railroads shall exist aud be lawfully
naole to be foreciosed, 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-
eeedings, including foreclosures of the gov
eminent liens. In view OF the fact that the
congress has for number OF years almost
constantly had undee consideration various
pans for dealing with the conditions existing
between these roads and the government
nave thus far felt justified in withholding ac-
tion under the statute above mentioned.
An Urgent Situation.
In the case OF the Union Pacific componv
however, the case has become especially and
immediately urgent, Proceedings have been
instituted To foreclose first mortgage upon
these atded parts of the main lines upon
which the government holds q second and
subordinate mortgage lien. In consequence of
lnese proceedings and increasing compliea-
tons, added To the default occurring on the
INST day or january, 1897, condition will be
presented at that date, SO far this company
Is concerned, that must emphasize the man
date OF the act of 1857 and give TO executive
dnty under its provisions d more important
aspect. %
therefore, unless congress shall otherwise
dlrect or shall have previously determined
upon different solution of the problem there
Will harcly appear TO exist any reason Tor de-
laying, beyond the date OF the default above
mentioned, such executive action as will prom
Use TO suoserve the public interests and save
the government from the loss threatened by
further lnactlOn.