The Saint Paul globe., 1896-12-08
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
Problems Presented by the Secretary
of the Interior


The report of the secretary of the interior
presents a comprehensive and interesting
hib1t OF the numerous and important affairs
committed to his supervision. 1t is impossi-
bic In this communication to do more than
briefly refer to a few of the subjects cencern-
Ing which the secretary gives full and instruc-
tive information.
The money appropriated on account of this
department and for its disbursement for the
fiscal year ended June 80, 1896, amounted to
more than $i57 600, or a greater sum than
was appropriated for the entire maintenance
OF the government for the two fiscal years
ended June 30 1861.
Our public lands, originally amounting to
lS4OOO GOO acres, have been so reduced that
only about 600, 600 coo acres still remain in
government control, excluding Alaska. the
balance being by far the most valuable por-
tlon, has been given away to settlers, to new
states, and to railroads, or sold at a COM
paratively nominal sum.
The patenting of land in execution of rail-
road grants has progressed rapidly during the
year, and since the fourth day Of March
1893, about 25O00 900 acres have thus been
conveyed to these corporations. agree with
the secretary that the remainder of our Dub-
Tic lands should be more carefully dealt with
and their alienation guarded by better econo-
my and greater prudence
me commission appointed from the men,
bership of the National Academy of Sciences
provided for by an act Of congress to formu-
late plans for national forestry system,
WI WI II Is hoped, soon be prepared to present
the result of thorough and intelligent exami
nation or this important subject
The total Indian population of the United
States is III, ,235, according to a census made
IN lS95 exclusive of those within the State
OF New York and those comprising the Ave
civilized tribes. Of this number there are
aappIoxlmately 5000 children of school age.
During the year 23,S93 of these were enrolled
lnschools. The progress which has attended
recent efforts to extend Indian school facili-
tles ana the anticipation of continued liberal
appropriations to that end, cannot fail to
afford the utmost satisfaction to those who
believe that the education of Indian children
is prime factor IN the accomplishment of
Indian civilization. -
1t may be said in general terms that in
every pa1 tcular the Improvement of the In
dams under the government has been most
marked and encouraging. The secrtary. the
commissioner of Indian affairs and tha
agents having charge Of Indians to whom al
lottments have been made strongly urge the
passage of a law prohibiting the sale of
liquor to allottees who have taken their
lands in severalty. l earnestly ioin in 1his
recommendation and venture to express the
nope that the Indian may be speedily pro-
tected against this the greatest of all OBJ
stacles to bis well being and Advancement
THE NOBLE RED MAN.
The condition or affairs among the five
ciV1llZe1 tribes who occupy large tracts of
land in the Indian Territory and who have
governments OF their own, h.Gs assumed such
an aspect as to render it almost indIsDensahle
that there should be entire change in tho
relations of these Indians to the general
government. This seems to be necessary In
IdTlHeraHce OF tneH own interests, as we'll
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 divis-
ion of their common lands in severaltv tnd
Is aiding in the settlement of the trouble
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 as demon
strated that their intentions were friendly
and in the interests of the tribes the pros
pect of success has become more promls-
ing. The effort should be 10 save these In
dians from the consequences of theij' own
mistakes and improvidence and to secure
to the real Indian his right as against in
truders and professed friards who profit by
his retrogresSion.
A change is also, needed to protect life and
property through the operation of colfIts CEN
Quoted according to strict justice and strong
enough to enforce their mandates.
AS sincere friend of the Indian I 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 con-
Quoting negotiations will soon be able to re-
port that progress has been made toward
friendly adjustment Of existing difficulties
1t appears that a very valuable deposit Of
gilsonite asphaltum has been found on the
reservation in Utah occupied by the Uncom-
pahgre 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 it from the general
rules and incidents attending the ordinary dis
position of public lands, and secure to the
government fair share at least of its ad-
vantages in place of its transfer for nominal
sum to the interested individuals
indorse the recommendation made bv the
present secretary of the interior as well as
his predecessor, that a permanent commission
consisting of three MEMBERS one Of whom
shall be an army officer, be created to per-
form the duties now devoving upon the com
missioner and assistant commissioner of In
dian affairs. The management of the bureau
involves such numerous and diverse details
and advantages of uninterrupted policy
are so apparent that l hope the change sug
gested will meet the approval of the congress.
PENSION FIGURES.
The diminution Of our enormous pension
roll and the decrease of pension expenditures
still fail in material realization. The num-
ber of pensioners the rolls at the close of
the fiscal year ended June 80, 1885, was $40 :
67s This is the largest number ever re-
ported. The amount paid exclusively for the
pensions during the year was $13S 214 761. %
slight decrease from that of the preceding
year; while the total expenditures on ac-
count of pensions, including the cost of
maintaining the department and expenses
attending pensions distribution amounted to
$142 zoe, ,550.59, or within very small fraction
of one third of the entire expense Of support