Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-08

.,,s,on - A., ;,,,no,.;tIa -. ~ ms super
cotion IN ID more tban hr;aa. .oi'aui
So, ,f ,,a .,hiacta or,o..J ~
ro,or,,I,r,,.os r,u 49,, ,.>.. INNS winch III
m,tion ue'ise ihior-
NJ o,.,
tbis aarar.,.o,,t anI e.. -. VI, account OF
ro, ~, e., 1,aar ~ as uis"uaseii,e d.
y,,,,,,,,t, 70 800 .,,a' June me ~ is9o'
-, .@'.' ~ :" -, s' eio''VVoVoV' OF Il
r., .a'', .'a.a appropriated LOT
49,. co.. ~ 49,, e. " 'iie soVsin-
On zoe, 'iS W. years eioeo June
"a
=, aaa ooo '"nas VI i'iaiiy amounting
~ i,'i .,' 49,, nave peen so re-
a"Nou 'i,"l oi's "Dou' o'V'"oVVoo acres SUI
sei'i,i'i ~ gov ninen' tontroi, eXciuuliiS
1Ni'sAa' ne p"i'noe, peihs by Tar the
must Naio'lp'e ioi ''oii' mas peeh given
"May 70 SETTLERS, " new states anu 10
'aiii o"ua' VI "V ~ =" coihpai d'i'eiy
nomlnai sum.
me patehtihg OF iahd IN execution OF
raiiroad grants mas progressed rapidly
turing the year. ana since the attn DAY Oh
March, 1875 ABOUT 2ovoo,ooo acres nave
mus oeen conveyed 10 these corporations.
agree with the secretary that the re-
malnder OF our pubic lands should be
more carefully dealt with and their aiien-
Atlon guarded by better economy ana
Greater prudence. The commission APP
pointed from the membership of the ma
iional academy OIL sciences. provided Tor
ny an act of congress. to formulate plans
for a national forestry system, Will. 1t
- hoped. soon be prepared TO present the
result of thorough and intelligent eX-
animation of this important subject
The total Indian population of the
United States is 1ls235, according to
census made in 1873. exclusive OF those
within the state OF New York and those
comprising the nVe civilized tribes Ot
this number there are approximately SS.-
90 children of school age. During the year
33a5 of these We're enrolled in schools.
The progress which mas attended recent
Efforts TO extend indian school facilities.
md the anticipation OF continued liberal
appropriations 10 that END. can not iaii
to afford the utmost satisfaction to those
VINO believe that the education OF In
dian children is prime factor in the
accomplishment OF Indian civilization.
1t may be said in general terms that
in every particular the Improvement of
the Indians under government care has
been most marked and encouraging. The
secretary, the commissioner of Indian
affairs and the agents having charge of
Indians TO whom allotments have been
made strongly urge the passage of a law
prohibiting the sale of liquor TO allottees
who have taken their lands in severalty.
earnestly join in this recommendation,
and venture to express the hope that the
Indian may be speedily protected against
the greatest of all obstacles to his we'll
being and advancement.
l endorse the recommendation made by
the present secretary of the Interior as
we'll 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 de-
volving upon the commissioner and as
sistant commissioner of Indian affairs
The management OF the bureau involves
such numerous and diverse details, and
the advantages Of an uninterrupted policy
are apparent that ! hope the change
suggested will meet the approval OF the
congress.
PENSIONS.
The diminution Of our enormous pen
sion roll and the decrease OF pension ox-
penditure which have been so often con-
identity foretold still fail in material re-
alization. The number of pensioners on
the rolls at the close OF the fiscal year
ended June 80. 1896 was 970s.s This is
the largest number over reported. The
amount paid exclusively for pensions dur
ing the year was SlSS III. 76l "a. a slight dc
crease from that of the preceding year
while the total expenditures on account
of pensions including the cost of main
faining the DEPARTMENT and expenses at
tending pension distribution. amounted to
SAP DOG $50 so or within A very small frac-
tion of one-third of the entire expense
of e,,nnortincr the government during the
same vear The number of now pension
certificates isSne1 was 40 $40 or these
20 s74 represent original allowances OF
claims and II S1S increases of existing pen
sions
The number of nersons receiving pen
.io,,s from, M, United states. but resid-
ire, in forei,.n countries at the close of
tl'e last fiscal wear was 3.7Sl. and the
amount paid to them during the year was
$50 IN rs The sum appropriated for the
oavment of pensions for the current fiscal
year ending June 30, 1887, Is 40Ooo.ooo. and
for the succeeding year 1t is estimated
that the same amount Will be necessary.
The commissioner of pensions reports
that during the last fiseai year. 359 indlct-
ments were found against Nloiaters OF
he pension laws. Upon these indictments
10. convictions resulted
In my opi,.lon. based upon such state
ments as these ana much other lntorma-
ton and observation, the abuses which
nave been ai:owed 10 creep INTO our PEN
sion system have done lncalcuiabie harm
III delnorahzing our people ana undermin-
ing Good cluzehship. nave endeaVored
WITHIN my sphere OF ofhcial duty to pro
teci our pension ron ana make II what
II shouid ne roll Oh nohor' containing
the names Oh those oisabied IN thclr