The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1896-12-11

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tract that the builder should pay all trial exc
penses, and it has also been determined TO
pay no speed premiums iR future contrasts
(. On March !, 1888 there we're in commission but
1 two afmored vessels, the double-turreted
monitors AiautonomGh and Monterey. Since
that date, Of vessels heretofore authorized,
there have been placed In their first commits
sion three fTst-elass and two second-class bat
tieships, two sFmorsd cruisers, one haFbOr de-
tense ram and i've dolble-turFeted monitors,
including Maine and Puritan, Just completed.
Eight new unarmored cruisers and two new
gunbOats have also been commissioned The
Iowa, another bsttleship, viii bs completed
about March ], and at least four more gunbosts
will be ready for sea ia the early spring.
uThe war college has developed into an ihsti-
tuition which 1t is believed viii be Of great
value to the navy In teaching the science 81
war as we'll as IN stimulating professional
zeal in the navy, and it viii be especially use
ful in the deYisins Of plans for the utilization
in case Of necessity, Of al the naval resources
OF the United States.
The naval militia, which was authorized a
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 sRd promising great usefulness.
to our navy Gs she national guard in the differ
ent states bears to our army, and constitutes
source Of supply to our naval forces the inc
pOFtsnee OF which is Immediately apparent
The Interior Department.
The report Of the secretary Of the interior
presents a comprehensive and interesting eX-
hibit OF the numerous and important affairs
committed TO his supervision II is impossible
in this communication TO do more than briefly
refer to a few OF the subjects concerning which
the secretary gives full and instructive iufor-
nation Our public lands, originally amount
ing to I, iO0OO,Og0 acres have been so reduced
I that only about co., OC0GOl acres still remain in
government control, excluding Alaska The
balance being by far the most valuable por-
tton, has been given away to suffers, to new
states and to railrea ds, or sold at q compare
lively nominal SUM
The total Indian population OF the United
States is i77r23j, according to a census made in
1895, exclusive OF those within the state Of New
York and those comprising the FIVE civilized
tribes OF this number there are apprOxl-
mately $4,000 children Of school age, During
the year 1888 Of these were enrolled in
schools. The progress which mas attended re-
cent efforts to extend Indian school facilities
and the anticipation Of continued liberal APP
prOpFisti0ns to that end, cannot fail to AFFORD
the utmost satisfaction TO those who
believe that the education Of In
dian children Is a 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 it 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 furtGerance OF their
own interests as we'll ss for the protection OF
nOn-Indian residents In their territory. A
| 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 protIers Of lego-
! tiatiOn was not encouraging, but through pa
thence and such conduct on their part as dem
Onstrated that their intentions we're 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-
! Quences Of their own mistakes and IMPROVE
! denee and to secure to the real Indian his
/ rights as against intFudeTs and pr0feSse ed
/ friends who profit by his retogFessiOn.
A change is also needed to protect life and
property through the operation Of courts con-
Quoted according to strict justice and strong
/ enough to enforce their mandates
As sincere friend Of the Indian 1 am eX-
/ ceedingly anxious that these reforms should
/ be accomplished with the consent and aid OF
the tribes and that no necessity may be pre-
scented for 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 difhculties
! It appears that a very valuable deposit OF
! gilsonite or asphaltum has been found on the
reservation in Utah occupied by the UHcOm-
pahgFe Ute Indians Every consideration OF
care for the public interest and every sensible
business reason dictate such management or
| disposal OF this important sOurce Of public
revenue as viii except it from the general
rules and Incidents attending the ordinary dis
position Of public lands, aad secure TO the gov
eminent 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 secretary Of the interior. as well as his
predecessor, that a permanent commission,
consisting Of three members, one OF whom
shall be an army O.1lcer, be created TO perform
the duties now deyolVing upon the commits
siOner and assistant commissioner OF Indian
! affairs The management Of the bureau in-
wolves such numerous diversities and the
| advantages Of an uninterrupted policy are SO
apparent that hope the change suggested
will meet the approval Of the congress.
The Pension Roll.
The diminution OF our enormous pension
roll and the decrease Of pension expenditures
which have been so often fOretold still fail in
material realization The number Of pension
ers on the rolls at the close Of the fiscal year
ended June 81, 1898, was 97O,67S This is the
| largest number ever reported. The amoHnI
! paid exclusively Tor pensions during the year
was SlSs, PA 1871, a slight decrease from that
OF the preceding year, while the total eXpend'
lures on account Of pensions, including the
cost OF msintainence OF tne department
and expenses attending pension distribution
| amounted TO slf2,206,55059. or within q very
| small fraction OF oGe-third OF the entire eZ-
! pense Of supporting the government during the
! same year The number Of new pension CeEtih-
! Gates issued was, $3.50 OF these &c, 81 repre-
| sent original allowances Of claims and 1888
increases Of existing pensions. The number Of
! persons receiving pensions from the United
States. but residing in foreign countries at the
/ close OF the last fiscal year vas 5tIsli and tle
amount paid 70 them during the year was
] s5s2. 7S5 IS, The sum appropriated for the pay
ment Of pensions for the current fiscal year,
/ ending June 30. 1897. is slD,0000l and for tbe
succeeding year It is estimated that the same
I amount viii be necessary.
The commissioner Of pensions reports that
during the last fiscal year $50 indictments
were found against Vi0latoTs OF the pension
/ Laws Upon these indictments l67 convictions
resulted In my opinion, based upon such
statements IS these and much other inioFma-
! tion and observations. the abuses which have
been allowed to creep into our pension system
have done fncaleulsble harm IN dsmoFalizing
ouF peopls and undermining good citizenship
! 1 hsve eude8EoEed within my sphere Of oHieial
/ duty to protect our pension roll and make II
I what It should be. roll Of honor, containing
the names Of those disabled in their country S
service and worthy OF their oouatry's affection
and remembrance
The Pacific Railroads.
The secretary calls attention % the public
Interests involved "a an adjustment o. the o.
legations Of the Pacific railroads 70 shs govern
maps I deem il 20 Be aRfup0rt4nt duty 70 es-
/ psgis-liY present this sEbfaSs 70 the consider
@-iCu o. fEs S0zFFeEA On faHuaTy W. 1897