The Portland daily press., 1896-12-08

and ventura TO express the hope that the
Indian NAV be speedily protected against
this greatest of all obstacles 10 his we'll
being and advan oement. The condition
OF affairs among the five civilized Tribes.
who occupy large tracts of land in the
Indian territory and who nave govern
ments of their own. has assumed such
an aspect as to render 1t almost lndlspen-
sible 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 In
forests, as we'll as for the protection OF
non Indian residents in their Territory.
A commission organized and empowered
under several recent laws Is now n3go-
tiatIng with these Indians tor the relin
quishment of their courts and the divl-
sion of their common lands in severalty,
and are aiding In the settlement of the
troublesome question d tribal member
ship. The reception of their first proffers
of negotiation was not encouraging; but
through patience and such conduct on
their part as demonstrated that their In
tentions were friendly and in the interest
become more promising The effort
should be to save these Indians from the
consequence of their own mistakes and
improvidenoe, and to secure to the real
Indian his rights as against intruders and
professed friends who profit by his retro
gression.
A change is also needed to protect life
and property through the operation OF
courts conducted according to strict JUS
tice and strong enough to enforce their
mandates. AS sincere friend OF the
Indian, am exceedingly anxious that
these reforms should be accomplished with
the consent and aid of the tribes. and
that no necessity may be presented Tor
radical or drastic legislation. hope,
therefore, that the commission now con-
Quoting 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 gilbonite asphaltum has been found
on the reservation in Utah occupied by
the Unuompahgre Ute Indians. Every
consideration of care for the public inter
est and every sensible business reason die
tate such management or disposal OF this
source or public revenue as will except
1t from the general rules and incidents
attending the ordinary disposition OF pub
lilo lands and secure to the government
a fair share at least of its advantages IN
place of its transfer for a nominal sum TO
interested individuals. endorse the
recommendation made by the present
predecessor, that . permanent commits.
sion. consisting of three members, one OF
whom shall be an army officer, to per-
form the duties devolvinR upon the com.
missioner and assistant commissioner OF
Indian affairs. The management OF tina
bureau involves such numerous and d.
verse details and the advantages OF an
that hope the changes suggested WILL
meet the approval of the Congress.
PENSIONS.
The diminution of our enormous PEN
81 IN roll and the decrease of pension ex-
penditures. which have been SO often con-
fidently foretold, still fall in material real
iZation The number OF pensioners ON
the rolls at the close of the fiscal year
ended June 30, 1896, was go SIS. This is
the largest number ever reported. The
amount paid exclusively for pensions
slight decrease from that of the preceding
year, while the total expenditures on
account of pensions, including the cost of
maintaining the department. and ex-
penses attending pension distribution,
amounted to SAP, 206, 3d. SO or within
very small fraction of one third of the en- .
tire expense of supporting the govern.
ment during the same time. Number OF
new pensions certificates issued was
80, $40. OF these 40, 374 represent original
allowances Of claims and Is. S78 increases
of existing pensions. The number of per-
SONS receiving pensions from the United
States. but residing in foreign countries.
at the close of tho last fiscal year was
3.171. and the amount paid them during
the year was S5a2. 735. The sum apprO-
priated for the payment of pensions for
the current fiscal year ending. $l4O, 600, 600.
and for the succeeding year 1t is esti-
mated that the same amount will be
necessary. The commissioner OF pensions
reports that during the last fiscal year
$3.50 indictments were found against VIC
lators Of the pension laws. Upon these
indictments 1877 convictions resulted.
In my opinion, based upon su3h state
ments as these and much other informa-
ton and observation, the abuses which
have been allowed to creep into out pen
sion system has done incalculabie harm
in demoralizinR our people and under
mining good citizenship. / have endeav-
ored within my sphere of official duty to
protect our pension roll and make it what
it should be- roll of honor, containing
the names of those disabled in their ooun
try's service and worthy OF their oountry's
affeotionate remem brance.
When have seen those who pose as the
soldiers friends active and alert in urging
greater laxiuy and more reckless pension
expenditure, while nursing selfish
scheme, nave QepreclaUed Gne appToacn
of situation when necessary retrenoh-
ment and enforced economy may lead to
an attack upon pension abuses, SO deter
mined as to overlook the discrimination
due to those who, worthy of nations
care, ought TO live and die under the pro-
lection Of nations gratitude.
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 I deem it to be an I'M
portant duty to especially present this sub
jeot to the consideration of the Congress.
On January /, 1897. with the amount
already maturad. more than S13. DOC, GOO
of the principal of the SUBSIDY bonds
issued by the United States in aid of this
construction OF the Union Pacific Rail-
road. including its Kansas line. and
more than S., 900. 600 of like bonds issued
in aid OF the Central Pacific 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.
Without any reference to the application
Of the sinking fund now IN the Treasury.
l.