Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1896-12-17

was appropriated for the entire maintenance
Of the government for the two fiscal years
ended June 50 1851
The Public Domain.
Our public lands, originally amounting to
about 900 acres still remain in govern
ment control, excluding Alaska The bal
has been given away to settlers. 20 new states
and to railroads. or sold at q comparatively
nominal sum
National Forestry System.
The commission appointed from the mem
bership OF the National academy Of sciences.
provided for By an act of congress to formulate
hoped, soon be prepared to present the result
OF thorough and intelligent examination Of this
important subject
Our Indian Wards.
The total Indian population OF the United
States IS IL ,235, according 10 census made in
ls95, exclusive OF those within the state Of
New York and those comprising the five civil
lied tribes OF this number there are approx
imately 50 GOO children OF school age During
the year 23.39S Of these were enrolled and may
be In schools The progress which has attend
ed recent efforts to extend Indian school fac1l
tiles, and the anticipation of continued liberal
appropriations to that end can not fail to
lieVe that the education OF Indian children Is
q prime factor in the accomplishment Of In
dian civilization.
The Five Civilized Tribes.
The condition of affairs among the five civil
lied tribes, who occupy large tracts OF land in
the Indian territory, and who have govern
ments of their own, has assumed such an as
pect as to render it almost indispensable that
there should be entire change in the rela-
lions of these Indians TO the general govern
ment This seems to be necessary in further
ance OF their own interests as well as for the
protection of non-Tndian residents in their ter
ritory- A commission organized and en-
powered unoer t several recent laws Is now
REIMBURSEMENT Of their courts and the d.
vision of their common lands in severalty,
and are aiding in TIE settlement of the trouble
some question of tribal membership. The
reception Of their first proders OF negotiation
was not encouraging, but through patience and
such conduct on their part as demonstrated
that their intentions we're friendly and in the
interest of the tribes. the prospect of success
has become more promising.
Utah GiIsonite Deposits.
1t appears that very valuable deposit of
gilsonlte or aSphaltum has been found on the
reservation in Utah occupied by the Uncom-
care for the public interest, and every sensible
business reason, dictate such management or
revenue as will except 1t from the general
rules and incidents attending the ordinary dis
position Of public lands and secure to the gov
eminent far share, at least, OF its advantages
in place Of its transfer for a nominal sum to i3
terested individualism.
A Permanent Indian Commission.
indorse the recommendation made by 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 perform
the duties now devoIying upon the commits
sioner and assistant commissioner OF Indian
affairs.
The Pension Roll.
The diminution Of our enormous pension roll
and the decrease of pension expenditure which
have been 50 often confidently fOretold still fail
in material realization. The number of PEN
SionerS on the roll at the close of the fiscal
year ended June go 1896 was 600 This is
the largest number ever reported. The amount
mai exclusively 6nTinD
was Sl38 2I4,I6l91, a slight decrease from that
of the preceding year, while the total expendi-
lures on account of pensions including the
cost of maintaining the department and
expenses attending pension distribution,
amounted to S142,2U6, t50.59, or within very
small fraction OF one-third of the entire ex-
pense of supporting the government during
the same year. The number of new pension
certificates issued was 9O640. OF these 40,374
represent original allowance of claims, and Isl,
S78 increases OF existing pensions. The num-
United States, but residing in foreign countries
at the close Of the last fiscal year, was 1871,
and the amount paid to them during the year
was slo2.135. So The sum appropriated for the
payment OF pensions for the current fiscal
year, ending June 90 1897. is s14OGOO.eoO, and
for the succeeding year it is estimated that the
same amount viii be necessary.
The commissioner OF pensions reports that
during the last fiscal year 49, indictments were
found against violators of the pension laws.
Upon these indictments 1877 convictions re-
suited.
Pacific Railroad Obligations.
interests involved in an adjustment of the OBJ
legations of the Pacific railroads TO the govern
ment. l 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 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-
ceedngs, including foreclosures Of the gov
ernmeut 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.
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 foTecloSe a first mortgage upon
these aided parts Of the main lines upon
which the government holds a second and
subordinate mortgage lien. In consequence of
these proceedings and increasing complica-
tions, added to the default occurring the
first day OF January, le97, a condition will be
presented at 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 more important
aspect. %
Therefore, unless congress shall otherwise
direct or shall have previously determined
upon d different solution of the problem there
laying. beyond the date of the default above
mentioned, such executive action as will prom
Use to subserye the public interests and save
the government from the loss threatened by