Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-12-11

ing OF lands in execution Of railroad grants
has progressed rapidly during the year,
and since the 4th day OF March, 1893, about
100000 acres have thus been conveyed TO
these corporations.
Care Recommended.
/ agree with the secretary that the re-
more carefully dealt with and their aiiena-
iion guarded by better economy ana greater
prudence.
The commission appointed from the
membership Of the national academy Of
sciences. provided for 10y an act Of congress
20 formulate plans for a national forestry
TO present the result of thorough and in
telligent examination of this important
subject
The total Indian population of the United
States Is H. 35, according 10 a census
made I'm 1893, exclusive OF those within the
the five civilized tribes OF this number
there are approximately g GOO children OF
school age, During the year 23 1913 OF these
were enrolled In schools. The progress
which has attended recent efforts to eX-
tend Indian school facilities and the an
ticipation Of c.,nred liberal appropra-
utmost satisfa ton 10 those who believe
that the education of Indian children IS
prime factor in the accomplishment of
Conditions Improved.
II may be said in general terms that In
every particular the Improvement Of the
Indians under government has been
rotary, the commissioner of Indian affairs
and the agents having charge of IN
dams 70 whom allotments have been made
hihiting the sale Of liquor 10 alottees who
have taken their lands in severalty. ]
earnestly join in this commentator, and
venture 10 express the hope that the In
dian may be speedily protected against
this greatest of all obstacles 10 his we'll
being and advancement.
III aft.a
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 IL almost in
diSpenSable that there should be an entire
change in the relations Of these Indians
20 the general government. This seems to
be necessary In furthcrance OF their own
interests, as well as for the protection of
non-Indian residents in their territory.
Allotment of Lands.
A commission organized and empowered
under several recent laws is now negotiat-
ing with these Indians for the relinquish-
ment of their courts and the division Of
their common lands in severalty and are
aiding in the settlement Of the trouble
some question of tribal membership The
reception of their first proffers Of negotia-
ton were not encouraging, but through pa
thence and such conduct on their part as
demonstrated that their intentions We're
friendly and 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 improvidence and
TO secure TO the real Indian his rights as
against intrlders and professed friends
who profit by his retrogression
a change Is also needed TO protect life
courts conducted according 20 strict JUS
tice and strong enough to enforce their
mandates.
AS a 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
legislation. hope, therefore, that the
commission now conducting the ncgotia-
lions will soon be able to report that prog
ress has been made toward a friendly adj
justment Of existing difficulties.
1t appears that a very valuable deposit
OF gilsonite or asphaltum has been found
Uncompahgre Ute Indians. Every con-
sideration Of care for the public interest
and every sensible business reason dc
tate such management or disposal OF this
important source of public revenue as will
except il from the general rules and Incl
dents attending the ordinary disposition OF
public lands, and secure to the government
a fair share at least OF its advantages
in place Of it's transfer for a nominal sum
to Interested individuals
| indorse the recommendation made by
the present secretary Of the interior as
veil as his predecessor that permanent
commission consisting of three members,
created to perform the duties now devolV- |
ing upon the commissioner and assistant
commissioner or ln0lan aHdlrS. i ne man |
agcment Of the bureau involves such nu-
nerous and diverse details and the adj
of an uninterrupted policy are SO |
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 pc.sion eX
which have been so oil en- conf |
iently foretold still fail in material reali- |
cation. The number of pensioners on the |
rolls at the close of the fiscal year ended |
June 80, 1896. was HO,67s. This is the largest |
number ever reported. The amount paid |
for the pensions during the |
year was Sl3S, PA, 76l "a, a slight decrease (
rom that of the preceding year, while the
otal expenditures on account OF pensions, |
including the cost of maintaining the de-
partment and expenses attending pension !
amounted 10 $l42, 2O6 ,5JO.0g. or |
within a very small fraction of one-third !
IF the entire expense of supporting the gov
,rnment during the same year. The num-
,er Of new pension certificates issued was .
~ $40. OF these, 40.34 represent original al
owances Of claims and 15,s7S increase OF
existing pensions The number OF per-
sons receiving pensions from the United /
states but residing in foreign countries, |
II the close of the last fiscal year was S,7Sl, /
md the amount paid TO them during the
rear was S5S2,I30.3S
The sum appropriated for the payment
IF pensions for the current fiscal year end
ng June 80, 1871 is $40 100000, and for the
succeeding year IL is estimated thdt the
same amount will be necessary.
The commissioner Of pensions reports
hat during the last fiscal year 339 indict-
ncnts were found against violators of the
pension laws Upon these indictments lo'
convictions resulted.
Abuses Are Demoralizing.
In my opinion, based upon such state
nents as these and much other informa-
ion and observation, the abuses when
ave been allowed TO creep into our pen
ion system have done incalculable harm
II demoralizing our people ana undermine
ng good citizenship. / have endeaNorcd
within my sphere OF official duty 10 pro
Get our pension roll and make II what
[ should be, a roll OF honor, containing
he names Of those disabled in their coun-
rvs service and worthy of their coun-
rvs affcCtionate remembrance. When l
ave seen those who pose as the soldiers
riends active and alert in urging greater
axity and more reckless pension eXpendi-
ures, while nursing selfish schemes, nave
deprecated the approach of situation
when necessary retrenchment ana enforced
economy may lead TO an attack upon pen
ion abuses, so determined as 70 overlook
the discrimination due to those who,
worthy OF nations care, ought TO live
md die under the protection Of nations
gratitude.
The Pacific Railroads.
The secretary calls attention to the pub
ic interests involved in an adjustment OF