The advocate., 1896-12-09

friends VINO proht by his ret0greSSiOn.
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-
ducting negotiations will soon be- able to report
that progress has been made toward q friendly
adjustment OF existing difloultieS
It appears that very valuable deposit OF
gilsonite or asphaltum has been found on the
reservation In Utah occupied by the Uncom-
pahgre 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 will except It from the general
rules and incidents attending the ordinary dis
position Of public lands, and secure TO the gov
0rnment fair share at least Of its advantages
in place Of its transfer for nominal sum TO
interested individuals.
Endorse the recommendation made by the
present secretary Of the interior, as well as his
predecessor, that q permanent commission,
consisting Of three members one of whom
shall be an army ofiCer, be created to perform
the duties now deyolVing upon the commits
sioner and assistant commissioner or Indian
affairs The management Of the bureau In
advantages OF an uninterrupted policy are so
apparent that hope the change suggested
will meet the approval OF the congress-
The Pension Roll
The diminuton OF our enormous pension
roll and the decrease OF pension Expenditures
which have been so often foretOld still fail in
material realization The number Of pension
ers on the rolls ut the close OF the fiscal year
ended June 81, 1885, was 97O,67S. This Is the
largest number ever reported The amonnt
paid exclusively for pensions during the year
was SlSS ,76l9l, a slight decrease from that
OF the preceding year, while the total eXpend-
itures on account Of pensions, including the
cost OF maintainence OF the department
and expenses attending pension distribution
amounted to ela2,906, ,55059, or within q very
small fraction OF one-third Of the entire ex-
penSe OF supporting the government during the
same year. The number OF new pension certif-
Gates issued was, 9O,64O or these 40, 374 repre-
sent original allowances OF claims and 1888
increases Of existing pensions. The number OF
persons receiving pensions from the United
States. but residing In foreign countries at the
close OF the last fiscal year was 3,1sl, and the
amount paid to them during the year was
1852, 1885, 80. The sum appropriated for the pay
ment Of pensions for the current fiscal year,
ending June 30, 1897, is $500 O0O0 and for the
succeeding year 1t Is estimated that the same
amount will be necessary.
The commissioner OF pensions reports that
during the last fiscal year $3.50 indictments
were found against vioators OF the pension
laws Upon these indictments 1877 convictions
resulted In my opinion, based upon such
statements as these and much other iniorma-
tlon and observations, the abuses which have
bseh allowed to creep into our pension system
have done incalculable harm In demoralizing
our people and undermining good citizenship.
I have endeavored within my sphere OF official
duty to protect our pension roll and make IL
what 1t should be, roll OF honor containing
the names OF those disabled In their country's
service and worthy Of their country's affection
and remembrance.
The Pacific Railroads.
The secretary calls attention to the public
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 es-
pecially present this subject to the consider
alton OF the congress. On January n, 1897,
with the amount already matured, more than
Sl8,OOOOOO OF the principal OF the subsidiary
bond issued by the United States In aid Of the
construction OF the Union Pacific railway In
cluding It's Kansas line, and more than e0,0O0,-
900 Of like bonds, Issued In aid Of the Central
Pacific railroad, including those issued TO the
Western Pacific Railway Co, 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 sinking funds now In the treasury
this will create such default on the part Of
the companies to the government as will give
It the right to at once institute proceedings TO
toreclose It's mortgage lien In addition 70
this indebtedness which will be due January
/, 1897. there will mature between that date
and January l. 1899, the remaining principal OF
such subsidy bonds which must also be met 0y
the government. These amount to more than
BsO, 900 ,OOj on account Of the Union Paclhc
lines and exceeds S2i, 900, 900 on account OF the
Central Pacific lines.
The Agricultural Department.
NM ao,,o .,,,ont ~ a0ricuIture ts 30 inti-