Evening star., 1896-12-07

according to strict justice and strong
enough to enforce their mandates
AS sincere friend of the Indian, 1 am
exceedingly anxious that these reforms
should be accomplished with the consent
and aid Of the tribes, and that no necessity
may be presented for radical or drastic
legislation. 1 hope, therefore, that the
commission now conducting negotiations
will soon be able to report that progress
has been made toward a friendly adjust
ment Of existing difficulties. 1t appears
| that a very valuable deposit Of Gilsonite
or asphaltum has been found on the reser-
vation in Utah occupied by the Uncom-
pahgre Ute Indians. Every consideration
| of care for the public interest and every
sensible business reason dictate such man.
agement or disposal Of this import ant
source of public revenue as will excap. it
from the general rules and incidents attend
| ing the ordinary disposition of public lands
| and secure to the government a fair snare
at least Of its advantages in place of its
transfer for a nominal sum to Interested IL
dividuals. l indorse the recommenda ton
made by the present Secretary of the In
terror. well 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 devolving upon the commissioner and
assistant commissioner of Indian affairs.
The management of the bureau involves
such numerous and diverse details. and
the advantages of an uninterrupted policy
are so apparent, that l hope the change
suggested will meet the approval Of the
Congress.
The Pension Roll.
The diminution of our enormous PENSION
roll and the decrease of pension expeadl-
ture which have been so often confidently
foretold still fail in material realization
The number Of pensioners on the rolls at
the close of the fiscal year ended June 30,
1896, was 97O67S. This is the largest num-
Der ever reported. The amount paid ex-
clusively for pensions during the year was
$l3S. .214, 761.04. slight decrease from that
OF the preceding year. while the total en-
penditures on account Of pensions, iEclud-
ing the cost of maintaining the department
and expenses attending pension distribution.
amounted to $1i2, ,2O6. 5000 or within a
very small fraction of one-third Of the en-
tire expense of supporting the government
during the same year. The number Of new
pension certificates issued was W.640. OF
these. 4O,374 represent original allowances
of claims. and 1888 increases Of existing
pens ons.
The number of persons receiving pensions
from the United States. but residing in for
eign countries. at the close of the last fiscal
year was 3,7S1, and the amount paid to
them during the year was $5S2 1898. The
sum appropriated for the payment of pen
sicns for the current fiscal year ending
June 30. 1897. is sl4o,0Oo.0n. and for the
same amount will be necessary. The COM
missioner of pensions reports that during
the last fiscal year 339 indictments We're
found against violators of the pension
laws. Upon these indictments 167 convic-
tions resulted.
In my opinion, based upon such state
ments as these. and much other informa-
tion and observation. the abuses which
have been allowed to creep into our pension
system have done incalculabe harm in de-
moralizing our people and undermining
good citizenship. 1 have endeavored, with
in my sphere Of official duty. to protect our
pension roll and make it what 1t should be-
a roll Of honor containing the names of
those disabled in their country's service
and worthy Of their country's affectionate
remembrance. When 1 have seen those
who pose as the soldiers friend active and
alert in urging greater laxity and more
reckless pension expenditure. while nursing
selfish schemes, 1 have deprecated the ap-
preach OF situation when necessary re-
trenchment and enforced economy may
lead to an attack upon pension abuses, SO
determined as to overlook the discrimina-
tlon due to those who, worthy of nations
care ought to live and die under the pro-
lection Of a nations gratitude
The 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. 1 deem it to be an i'm
pcrtant duty to especially present this sub
ject to the consideration Of the Congress.
On January l, 1897, with the amount al
ready matured. more than S13. 900 900 Of the
principal of the subsidy bonds issued by
the United States in aid of the construction
OF the Union Pacific railway. including its
Kansas line, and more than S6UOUOOO of
like bonds issued in aid of the Central Pa
cific railroad. including those issued to the
Western Pacific Railroad Company, will
have fallen due and been paid or must on
that day be paid by the government. With
out any reference to the application Of the
striking fund now in the treasury, this will
create such default on the part of these
companies to the government as will give
1t the right to at once institute proceedings
to foreclose Its mortgage lien. In addition
to this Indebtedness, which will be que jan
uary 1, 1897 there will mature between
that date and January /, 1899, the remain
ing principal of such subsidy bonds, which
must also be met by the government. These
amount to more than $20,O0GOOO on account
of the Union Pacific lines, and exceed s21,-
100000 on account of the Central Pacific
lines.
The situation of these roads and the con-
dition of their indebtedness to the govern
ment have been fully set forth in the re-
ports Of various committees to the present
and prior Congresses; and as early as 1887
they were thoroughly examined by a spe-
cial commission appointed pursuant to an
act of Congress. The considerations re-
quiring an adjustment of the governments s
relations to the companies have been clear
ly presented, and the conclusion reached
with practical uniformity that If these re-
lations are not terminated they should be
revised upon a basis securing their safe
continuance. Under section Of the act of
Congress passed March g. 1897 the Presi-
dent Is charged with the duty, in the event
that any mortgage or other incumbrance
paramount to the interest of the, United
States in the proDerfv of ho p,oi6c