Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-12-10
FRANCIS REPORT.
The Secretary Of the Interior
Makes Public His Report
The PUBLIC DOMAIN REVIEWED.
Pensioners on the Roll-Fnrest Reserva.
tiOns and Arid Landslide Work Of the
Dawes missi0n-AbOlls hment Of
Townsite Boards Recommended.


night has many suggestions and rec
concentrations Of importance to the
southwest. The report opens with q
discussion Of the public domain. 1t
shows the total number Of acres dis
posed Of up to June 80 last was o4o,-
OOO, 900, leaving public domain still va
cant estimated At over 500, 900, 900 acres,
not including the district Of Alaska,
with an ares of over $3.50, 1000, 900 acres.
Since the homestead act was passed,
on May 90, 1862. there have been 1872
89l, 1872 acres entered by homestead set
tiers OF this, almost 100, ZOO, 900 acres
will all be patented when the legal
conditions have been made. OF the re.
mainder, $4,000, 600 acres represent en-.
tries cancelled and almost 100000
acres committed to cash.
The total amount paid BY the gov.
eminent in pensions, and the cost of
disbursing the same, for the last 81
years, is S2,0S4, SIT, 1862 This lacks
only little over $S46, 7l2,5OO Of being
equal to the high-water mark OF the
Understanding public debt The
present number of pensioners, which
is 970,67S, is greater by 4,666 than in
1898, when the maximum annual cost
was reached, and is greater than ever
before. This is due to the death Of old
soldiers and the continued payment Of
allowances to their heirs while the
amount paid is decreased through the
death Of invalid pensioners leaving no
dependents
The pension policy Of the depart.
ment has been to make the pension
list roll Of honor rather than to save
money to the government; the effort
has been 10 defeat the designs OF i'm.
posters, while recognising the claims
Of the needy and deserving. General
public sentiment, however, is that the
obligations Of the government Is con-
fined to those who fought for Its main
tenance and those dependent upon
them. The total number Of our PEN
soners IN foreign countries was 3,S7l,
who were paid s5ss, 7as. The commits
sioner Of pensions has been directed to
accept from pensioners residing In Ger
many only such declaration and other
papers OF claimants as NAV be made
before United States minister or con-
sui or other consul officer of the United
States The state department has been
requested to instruct our representa-
tives abroad to make the notarial fee
Is cents, compensation invogue here.
Increase from SO TO $l2 per month is
recommended for all wholly disabled
and destitute Mexican war survivors.
Under the head OF Indian affairs, the
secretary repeats the recommendation
OF his predecessor for commission OF
three, one Of whom shall be an army
officer, to take the place Of the assist
ant commissioners OF Indian affairs
Under the head OF 'oond-aldeu RAM
roads the secretary says; SIN my judg-
ment 1t is much better Tor the govern
ment to accept a lump sum IN cash 1or
its claim against these roads, II by DO
ing SO that claim can De settled ana
the connection between the govern
ment and the only roads 1t has ever
aided by direct subsidy be e1rectualiy
severed. Such a solution OF TINS vexed
question would meet the hearty APP
proval OF the people generally ana re-
lieve the LEGISLATORS and all branches
OF the government OF troublesome
problem and a trying responsibility
Discussing forest reservations, the
report says no permits to cut tlmter on
public lands should be granted Tor any
purpose other than to supply the needs
OF actual settlers In the neighoorhood
OF the forests where timber Is 70 oe
cut, and should be accompanied oy oil
possible safeguards
Secretary Francis urges upon con-
gress the necessity for Legislation Tor
the reclamation and disposal OF LANDS
within the arid regions. Unless the
Carey act could be amended so as 10
give the state power TO pledge lands
for their reclamation ne says IL would
be better to place the lands under the
direction OF the states only so lar as
may he necessary TO secure their re-
clamation for the benefit OF actual set
tiers.
The secretary makes no comment on
the work OF the Dawes commission
but includes In the report partial re-
engaged under the act OF June 10, 1896.
in determining all applications for citi.