The Dickinson press., 1896-12-12

crews OIL uONFu 10 Keep tneIn Ill cOnultlOn
cruising only enough to insure the efficiency
of the ships and their crews in time of
activity. The economy to result from this
system 1s too obvious to need comment
The naval militia which was authorized u
few years Oga as an experiment has now
developed into q body Of enterprising young
men. active and energetic in the discharge
Of their duties and promising great useful
ness. This establishment has nearly the
same relation to our navy us the national
guard In the different states bears to our
army; AMI II constitutes source Of supply
for our naval forces, the Importance Of
which is Immediately apparent.
INTERIOR EPARTMENT.
The Remninder Of Our Public Land
should be Carefully Guarded.
The report of the secretary Of the inter-
or presents Ii comprehensive and interesting
exhibit Of the numerous and important
affairs committed to his supervision. 1t is
impossible in This communication to do
more Than briefly refer to II few OF the SUBJ
j'cts concerning which the secretary gives
fall and Instructive information. The mon.
cy appropriated on account Of this depart
ment for its disbursement for the fiscal
year ended June IN. 1SH amounted to
more elan Sla7.tkW.OOO. or II greater sum
than was appropriated for the entire muin.
tenace Of the government for the two fiscal
years ended June ~. 1861.
Our public lands, originally amounting to
1,S4OOOO,tAN acres. have been reduced that
only about COO.MM,iWO acres still remain In
government control excluding Alaska the
balance being by far the most valuable
portion, has been given away 10 settlers. to
new states and to railroads. or sold at u
cor paratlvely nominal sum. The l,atcnt-
ing Of lai,d In execution of railroad grants
has progressed rapidly during the year. AMI
since the 4th day OF March. 1875. about
9i.OOO.OOO acres have thus been conveyed
to these corporations l agree with the Sec
retary that the remainder of our public
lands should be more carefully dealt with,
and their alienation guarded by better
economy and greater prudence.
The commission appointed from the men,
bership of the National Academy of Sci
ences. provided for by an act of congress
to fOImulate plans for a national forestry
system. will. 1t is hoped. soon be prepared
TO present the result of II thorough and in.
teiligent examination of this important
subject.
The total Indian population Of the United
States Is 177.235. according to IL 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 approximately 3S,0OO children OF
school age. During the year, 23.3!8 of these
were enrolled In the schools. The progress
which has attended recent efforts to extend
Indian school facilities ard the anticipa-
tion Of continued liberal appropriations to
that end cannot fail to afford the utmost
satisfaction to those who believe that the
education Of Indian children ia n prime
factor In the accomplishment Of Indian civ
ilizatiOn. II may be said, in general terms,
that in every particular the improvement
of the indians under government has been
most marked and encouraging. The secre-
tary, the commissioner Of Indian affairs and
hn ntS ,o vf 01,Or ruo 1P vVfCiO IN
whom allotanents have been made. strongly
urge the passage of law prohibiting the
sale Of liquor TO alOttees who have taken
their lands In severalty. I earnestly join In
this recommendation, and venture to ex.
press the hope that the Indian may be
speedily protected against the greatest Of
all obstacles 20 his well being and advanve-
ment.
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 rcude: 1t almost indis-
pensable that there SHOULD be an entire
change In III erelations of these Indians to
the general government. This seems to he
necessary In furthcrance Of their interests
AZ we'll rs for the protection OF nOn-I Indian
residents In their territory. A commission,
organized and empowered Enil.r recent
laws, Is now negotiating with these Indi-
HAo ASA Suc AclIuNuISSiLuCuS OI their COuStS,
and the division Of their common lands In
severalty, and are aiding In the settlement
Of the troublesome question Of trlbdl menu
Dership. The reception OF their first offers
OF negotiation was not encouraging; but
through Patience and such conduct OH their
part as demonstrated that their lntentisns
were friendly snd In the interest of the
tribes, the prospect Of success has become
more promising. The effort should be to
save these Indians from the consequences
OF their own mistakes and imprOvldence.
and to secure to the real Indian his right as
against intruders and professed friends,
who p:oft by his retrogression. A change
Is alao needed to protect life and property
through the operation Of courts conducted
according to strict justice and strong enough
to enforce their mandates.
A sincere friend of The Indian. I am
exceedingly anxious that these reforms
should be accomplished. with the consent
~ may be presented for radical or drastic
legislation. l hope, therefore. that the
commission now conducting negotiations
will soon be able to report that progress has
been made toward friendly adjustment of
existing difficulties
1t appears that very valuable deposit of
gllsOn!te or asphaltum has been found on
the reservation In Utah, occupied by the
BncomEahgre Indians. Every consideration
OF care for the public interest and every
sensible business reason dictates such man.
agement or disposal Of this important
source sN OF public revenue as will except It
from the general rules and incidents at
tending public lands and secure to the gov
ernment fair share, at least. Of Its ad-
vantages. In place Of its transfer for nom-
inal sum to the interested individuals.
! endorse the recommendation made by
the present secretary Of the interior, as
well as his predecessor, that permanent
commission, consisting Of three members.
one Of whom shall he an army officer, be
created. to perform the duties now devolv.
Ing upon the commissioner and assistant
commissioner Of Indian affairs. The man.
agement of the bureau involves such nu
tnerous and diverse details and advantages
0f an uninterrupted policy policy are so ap
parent that hope the change suggested
Will meet the approval Of congress.
Pensions.
The diminution of our enormous pension
roll and the decrease of pension expendi
tire which have been 80 often confidently
foretold. still fail In material realization
The number OF pensioners OH the rolls N
the close Of the fiscal year ended June 80
1880. was 07O.678. This is the largest mum
Der ever reported. The amount paid ex
s:....o,,s.y for the pensions -durlng the yeal
was $l3S. .14.761.04. slight decrease from
that OF the preceding year, while the tOta
expenditures on account of pensions, In
Guiding the cost Of maintaining the depart
nent and expenses attending pensions dis
tribution amounted to $142. .2OG. .55O59. ol
within u very small fraction OF one-third
If the entire expense Of supporting the goy
eTnment during the same year. The mum
ber of new pension certificates issued was
90.640 OF these 4O,374 represent origina
allowances Of claims and 15.s7s increase o
existing pensions.
Tho number of persons receiving pension
from the United States. but residing in for
elRn countries at the close of the last fis
zeal year was 3.781. and the amount paid t,
them during the year was $5S2. 7i5 ~ Th,
SUM appropriated for the payment Of pen