The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1896-12-16
TContinued from first page.l


tracts. The premiums recently earned.
and some yet to be decided, are features OF
the contracts made before this conclusion
was reached.
On March 4, 1893, there were in commits
sion but two armored vessels, the double
turreted monitors Miantonomoh and Mon
terey. Since that date of vessels thereto
fore authorized, there have been placed in
their first commission three firstclass and
two secondclass battleships, two armored
cruisers, ono harbor defense ram, five
double turrcted monitors, including the
Maine and Puritan, just completed
Eight new unarmored cruisers and two
new gunboats have also been commits
stoned. The Iowa, another battleship, will
be completed about March |, and at least
four more gunboats will be ready for sea
in the early spring 1t is gratifying to
state that our ships and their outfits are
believed to be equal to the best that can be
manufactured elsewhere, and that such
notable reductions have been made lin their
cost as to Justify the statement that quite
q number of vessels are now being con-
structed at rates rs low as those that pre-
vail in European shipyards. Our man l.
featuring facilities are at this time ample
for all possible naval contingencies.
There have been authorized by congress
since March, 1893, five battleships, six light
draft gunboa is, 10 torpedo boats, and one
submarine torpedo boat Contracts
the building of all of them have been let
The money appropriated on account Of
this department and for its disbursement
for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1885,
amounted to more than $l57 0d0, go or IL
greater sum than was appropriated for the
entire maintenance OF the government for
the two fiscal years ended June 90, 1861.
Public Lands.
Our public lands originally amounting
to SAC, 000, 900 acres have been so reduced
that only about 600,000,000 acres still re
main In government control exclndir 2
Alaska The balance, being by far thu
most valuable portion, has been given
away to settlers, to new states and rail
roads or sold at comparatively nominal
sum.
agree with the secretary that the re-
mainder of our public lands should hn
more carefully dealt with and their aliena
ton guarded by better economy and greater
prudence.
Tho Postal Union.
The universal postal union, which now
embraces all of the civilized world and
whose delegates will represent |, 000, 000. 00G
people, will hold it's fifth congress In the
city of Washington in May 1897.
The United States may be said to have
taken the initiative which lead to the first
meeting of his congress In Berne, in 1874
Previous congresses have met in Berne,
Lisbon and Vienna, and their respective
countries in which they assembled have
made generous provision for their accom-.
mediation and for the reception and enter
tainment of the delegates | earnestly
hope that $, ch an appropriation will be
made for the expenses necessary attendant
upon the coming meeting
Our Indians.
The total Indian population of the United
States is 1928, 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 nninber
there are approximately $4,000 children of
school age. During the year 23,39SI of
these were enrolled in schools. The pro
gress which has attended recent efforts to
extend Indian school facilities, and tie
anticipation of continued liberal appr@-
priations to that end, cannot fail to affotd
the utmost satisfaction to those who b.
ieye that education Of Indian children iS a
prime factor in the acconp lishmeut Ioi
Indian civilization.
10 may De said in general terms that! in
every particular the Improvement vi the
indians under government care has been
most marked and encouraging.
The condition of pff airs among the five
civilized tribes, VINO occupy large tracts OF
land IN the Indian Territory and who have
COVE .a,,e'1fts, of their own. has assumed
sHcn "a aspect as to render it almost indis-
rciisable thrt there should be an entire
change in Il relations of these Indians to
the general overnment This seems to ~
necessary il, furtheranCe Of their own /
terests, as well as for the protection of No,
Indian residents In their territory. A com
mission organized and empowered und
several recent laws is now negotiating wi
those Indians for the REIMBURSEMENT OF
their courts and the division of their COM
mon lands in severalty. and are aiding in
the settlement of the troublesome question
of tribal membership
A change is also needed to protect life
and property through the operation of
courts conducted according to strict jus
tice and strong enough to enforce the
mandates.
endorse the recommendation made "
the present secretary of interior, as we'll as
his pr .decessor, that permanent comm
sion OF three members, one of whom sh;
be an army officer, be created to perform
the duties now derolving upon the C.
missioner and assistant commissioner !.
Indian affairs.
Inc dlmlnutlon OF our enormous pension
roll, and the decrease of pension expendi.
ture which have been so often confidently
foretold, still fail in material realization.
The number of pensioners on the rolls Of
the close of ahe fiscal year ended June %,
1896, was 9f0.61S. This is the largest nun
Der ever reported. The amount pp d
exclusively or pensions during the year
was Sl3s,9l4. 1874, slight decrease FROM
that, Of the preceding year, while the
total expenditures on account of pen
sions, including the cost of main
tanning the department and OK.
penses attending pension distribution
amounted 10 sl42 ,206 go 80, or within
very small fraction OF one-third the entire
expense OF supporting the government
during the same year The number OF
new pension certificates issued was 90.64O.
or these, 46374 represent original allow
ance of claims, and 1888, increases of ex.
listing pensions. The number OF persons
receiving pensions from the United States,
but residing in foreign countries at. ire
close OF the last fiscal year was 1851, ed
the amount paid to them during the wear
was s5S2, 1888. The sum appropriated ',r
the payment OF pensions for the cure, |
fiscal year ending June 30, 1897, is 81
OO0,OOO, and for the succeeding year it
estimated that the same amount will be |
necessary.
Pacific Railroads.
The secretary calls attention to the pub |
lie interests involved in an adjustment OF |
the obligations of the Pacific railroads to
the government | deem it To he an i,
portant dui{ to especially present IT,,
subject to the consideration of the con.
gress.
Department of Agriculture.
The department of agriculture is so init,
mately related to the welfare of our people
and the prospects If our nation that il
should constantly receive the care and en-