Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-12-10

vessels for cur navy has been theoretically
prosecuted by the present administration upon
the general lines previously adopted, the de-
partment having seen no necessity for radical
changes In prior methods under which the
work was found to be progressing In manner
highly satisfactory 1t has been decided,
however, to provide In every ship building con-
tract that the builder should pay all trial ex-
penses. and 1t has also been determined to
pay no srssd premiums in future contracts
On March !. 1903, there were In commission but
two armored vessels, the double-turreted
monitors Mlantonomoh and Monterey. Since
that date Of vessels heretofore authorised,
there have been placed In their first commits
sion three 1rst-class and two second-clsss bat
tleshps, two armored cruisers, one harbor de-
tense ram and five double turreted monitors,
including Maine and Puritan. Just completed
Eight new unarmored cruisers and two new
gunboats have also been commissioned The
Iowa, another battleshlp, will DO completed
about March |. and at least four more gunbosts
will be ready for sea in the early spring
The war college has developed into an insti-
tuition which 1t Is believed will be Of great
value to the navy In teaching the science OF
war, rs well % In stimulating professional
zeal In the navy. and 1t will be especially USE
full In the devising OF plans for the utilization
In case Of necessity, OF all the naval resources
OF the United States
The naval militia. which was authorized q
few years ago, as an experiment has now de-
veloped into body Of enterprising young men,
active and energetic In the discharge OF
their duties and promising great usefulness.
This establishment has nearly the same relation
| TO our navy as the national guard In the differ
ent states bears to our army. and constitutes
source OF supply w our naval forces the i'm
portance Of which Is Immediately apparent
Tho Interior Department.
The report OF the secretary OF the interior
presents comprehensive and interesting ex-
hibit Of the numerous and important affairs
| committed to bis supervision 1t Is impossible
/ In this communication to do more than briefly
refer to few Of the subjects concerning which
the secretary gives full and instructive inf0r-
nation Our public lands originally amount
Ing to 1,8IO,O0 900 acres have been SO reduced
that only about 900, lOO,O0 acres still remain In
government control, excluding Alaska The
balance, being by far the most valuable pdt-
tion, mas Dcen given away 10 suffers, to new
states and to railroa DIS, or sold at . compare
lively nominal sum. |
| The total Indian population OF the United
States Is l77,s3i, according to census made In
1885, exclusive OF those within the state Of New
York and those comprising the five civilized
tribes. OF this number there are approxi-
mately s8,O0O children Of school age. During
the year 23,39S Of these were enrolled In
schools. The progress which has attended re-
cent efforts to extend Indian school facilities
and the anticipatian OF continued liberal ap-
preparations to that end, cannot fail to afford
the utmost satisfaction to those who
believe that the education OF In
dian children Is o prime factor In the
( accomplishment OF Indian civilization.
The condition OF affairs among the five civilized
tribes, who occupy large tracts Of land In the
Indian territory and who have governments Of
their own has assumed such an aspect as to
render 1t almost Indispensable that there
should be an entire change in the relations Of
these Indians to the general government This
| seems to be necessary In furtherance OF their
own interests as we'll as for the protection OF
| non-Indian residents In their territory
commission organized and empowered under
several recent laws Is now negotiating with
these Indians for the REIMBURSEMENT OF their
courts and the division OF their common lands
In severalty
The reception Of their first profers Of nego-
tiatlon was not encouraging, but through pa-
thence and such conduct on their part as dem
onsrated that their intentions were friendly |
and In the interest OF the best prospect Of sue
cess has become more promising. The efforts
should be TO save the Indians from the conse-
ouences of their own mistakes and mnrovi-
dence and to secure to the real Indian his |
rights as against intruders and professed
Friends who proAt nv his retopression.
As n sincere friend Of the Indian am az.
ceedinplv anxious that these reforms should |
be accomplished with the consent and aid of
the tribes and that no necessity NAV be pre-
scented for radical or drastic legislation. l
hone. thererore that the commission now cor.
Quoting negotiations will soon bo able tn report
that progress has been made toward a friendly
adjustment OF existing dificulties
II annears that verv valnablo denosit NJ
risonite or asphaltum has been found ON the
reservation in Utah occunled NV the Iyncom.
pahQre Ute Indians. Every consideration of
care for the public interest and every sensible
business reason dictate such manapement ar
DISMISSAL Of this imnortant source NJ mblic
revenue as will excent IL from tho oeneral
rules and Incidents attending the ordinary die.
posItion OF public lands. and secure to the gov
ernment fair share Mt least of it's advantages
in nlace ~ It's transfer FIR n nominal sum IN
interested individuals
Endorse the recommendation made nv the
present SECRETARY Of the interior. as we'll as bls
nredecessor that n nermanent commission
consisting of three members. one of whom
shall be an army officer he created to nerform
the duties now devolying unon the commits
sioner and assistant commissioner NJ indian
affairs The management nj the hurea,, in
wolves such numerous diversities and the
ADVANTAGES If nm uninterrunted nolicv arc On
annarent that T hone tho chanoe suooasted
viii maet tbe annroval NJ tho congrsss
The peps,on Roll
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