Evening star., 1896-12-07

eieVen CONTAGIOUS situated In the states OF
| Maine. Rhode Island. Pennsylvania. New
Jersey, Maryland, Virginia and the state Of
Washington, are constructing gunhoats or
| torpedo boats: two plants are manufactur-
| ing large quantities Of first-class armor,
and American factories are producing au-
| .tomobile torpedoes, powder, projectiles,
| rapid-fire guns and everything else neces-
| sary for the complete outfit of naval YES
| sells.
There have been authorized by Congress
| since March, 1898, five battleships six light
| draft gunboats, sixteen torpedo boats and
| one submarine torpedo boat. Contracts for
| the building of all of them have been let.
| The Secretary expresses the opinion that
| we have for the present sufficient supply
| of cruisers and gunboats, and that here
| after the construction of battle ships and
| torpedo boats will supply our neels.
Much attention has been given to the
methods of carrying on departmental busi-
ness. Important notifications il the regu-
lations have been made, tending TO unity
the control of shipbuiding. as far as may
be. under the bureau Of construction and
repair. and also to improve the mode Of
purchasing supplies for the navy by the
bureau of supplies and accounts. The es-
| tabishment. under recent acts of Congress,
| of a supply fund, with which to purchase
| these supplies in large quantities. and other
notifications of methods have tended ma
| terially to their cheapeniEg and better
quality.
The War College has developed into an
institution which. it Is believed, will be Of
great value to the navy in teaching the
science of war as well as in stimulating
professional zeal in the navy, and 1t will
| be especially useful in the devsing of
plans for the utilization in case of neces-
sity of all the naval resources Of the
United States.
Tne Secretary has persistently adhered to
the plan he found in operation for secur-
ing labor at navy yards through boards of
labor employment. and has done much to
make 1t more complete and efficient. The
naval officers who are familiar with this
system and it's operation express the de-
cided opinion that its results have been to
vastly improve the character sof the work
done at our yards and greatly reduce It's
cost.
The discipline among the officers AMI
| men of the navy has been maintained to
high standard and the percentage Of Amer
lean citizens enlisted has been very much
ir creased.
The Secretary is considering, and will
for laying up ships in reserve, thereby
largely reducing the cost OF maintaining
the vessels afiOat. This plan contemplates
that battle ships. torpedo boats and sucn
of the cruisers as are not needed fer ac-
tive service at sea shall be kept in re-
serve, with skeleton crews on board to
Keep them N condition, cruising only
enc ugh to insure the efficiency of the ships
and their crews in time of activity.
The economy to result from this system
| Is too obvious to need comment.
Inc naval militia, which was authorized
lew years ago as an experiment. has now
developed into body of enterprising young
men. active and energetic in the discharge
OF their duties. and promising great use
fulness. This establishment has nearly the
same relation to our navy as the National
Guard in the different states bears to our
army, and it constitutes a source of supply
Tor our naval forces. the Importance of
which is Immediately apparent
INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
The report of the Secretary of the In
terror presents a comprehensive and in
terestins exhibit of the numerous and I'M
portant affairs committed to his super
vision. 1t is impossible in this communica-
ton to do more than briefly refer to few
of the subjects. concerning which fhe Sec
retary gives full and Instructive fnforma-
ton.
The money appropriated on account of
this department. and for it disbursement.
for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1896
amounted to more than S157 900, coo. or
greater sum than was appropriated for the
entire maintenance of the government for
1o6 Tur
Our public lands, originally amounting to
$40. .OOOOOO acres have been so reduced
that only about 6W,OO0, 900 acres still re-
main in government control, excluding
Alaska. The balance being by far the
most valuable portion, has been given
away to settlers. to new states, and to rail-
roads, or sold at a comparatively nominal
sum- Ihe patenting of land in execution
OF railroad grants has progressed rapidly
during the year. and since the 4th day of
March, 1888, about 25,000.OOO acres have
| thus been conveyed to these corporations
agree with the Secretary that the re-
mainder of our public lands should be
more carefully dealt with and their aliena-
tion guarded by better economy and great
er prudence.
The commission appointed from the MEM
bership Of the National Academy of
Sciences, provided for by an act of Con-
gress. to formulate plans for a national
forestry system will, it is hoped, soon be
prepared to present the result of thorough
and intelligent examination of this import
ant subject.
The total Indian population Of the United
States is 177.235. according to a census
made in 1895. exclusive of those within
the state of New York and those COM
prising the five civilized tribes. OF this
number there are, approximately, $4,000
children of school age. During the year
1888 Of these were enrolled in schools
The progress which has attended recent
efforts to extend Indian school facilities
and the anticipation of continued liberal
appropriations to that end cannot fail to
afford the utmost satisfaction to those who
believe that the education of Indian chill
dren is prime factor in the accomplish
ment of Indian civil5 alton.
1t may be said in general terms that in
every particular the improvement of the
Indians under government care has been
most marked and encouraging.
The Secretary. the commissioner of In
dian affairs and the agents having charge
of Indians to whom allotments have been
MADE strongly urge the passage Of a law
prohibiting the sale Of liquor to allottees
who have taken their lands in seyeralty /