The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1896-12-19
National Forestry System.

National Forestry system.
The commission appointed from the menu
bershtp Of the National academy Of sciences,
provided for by an oct OF congress to formulate
plans for q national forestry system, Will, 1t Ia
hoped, soon be prepared to present the result
Of thorough and intelligent examination Of this
important subject
Our Indian Wards.
The total Indian population Of the United
States is III ,23o, according 10 a census made in
1895, exclusive OF those within the state OF
New York and those comprising the I've civil
lied tribes. OF this lumber there are approx
imately IS eco children OF school age. During
the year 1898 OF these were enrolled and may
be in schools. The progress which has attend
ed recent efforts to extend Indian school focil-
tties, and the anticipation OF continued liberal
appropriations to that end, can not fail to
anOrd the utmost satisfaction to those who be-
a prime factor in the accomplishment Of In
dian civilization
The hive Civilized TribeS
The condition OF affairs among the fve civil
lied tribes, who occupy large tracts OF lasd in
the Indian territory, and who hSve govern
meRts of heir Own, has assumed such an as
pect as to render il almost indispensable that
there should be an entire change In the rela-
lions OF these Indians to the general govern
ment. This seems TO be necessary in further
ance OF their own interests. as we'll as for the
protection OF non-Indian residents in their ter
ritory. A commission organized and en-
powered under several recent laws is now
negotiating with these Indians for the
REIMBURSEMENT Of their courts and the d.
vision OF their common lands in seyeralty,
and are aiding in the settlement OF the trouble
some question Of tribal membership. The
reception Of their first profie-s of negotiation
was not encouraging, but through patience and
such conduct on their part as demonstrated
that their intentions were friendly, End in the
interest OF the tribes, the prospect OF success
has become more promising.
Utah Gilsonite Deposits.
II Shat n -arr W. ~, hta Ja-oeft -
g~ilSonite or asphsitum has been found on the
reservation in Utah occupied by the Uncom-
paghre 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 will except it from the general
rules and incidents attending the ordinary dis
position of public LANDS and secure to the gov
eminent a fair share, at least, OF its advantages
In place Of its transfer Cor q nominal sum to in
tereSted indivlcuaiism.
A Permanent Indian Commission.
1 Endorse. the recommendation made by the
| present secretary OF the interior, as well as
his predecessor, thar g permanent commission,
consisting Of three members, one OF whom
the duties now devolviBg UPON the commits
sioner and assistant commissioner OF Indian
affairs.
The Pension Roll.
The diminution OF our enormous pension roll
and the decrease Of peuSion expenditure which
have been SO often confidently fOretold still fail
in material realization. This number OF PEN
sioners on the roll at tie close OF the hscal
year ended June 80, ls96, was 97O,67S. This is
the largest number ever reported. The amount
paid exclusively for pensions during the year
was sl3S.2l4,1el.9i, 4 Slight decrease from that
Of the preceding year, while the total expendi-
lures on account OF pensions, including the
cost OF maintaining the department and
expenses attending pension distribution,
amounted to Sl4S, 206. -5O.59, or within a very
small fraction OF one-third Of the entire ex-
pense Of supporting the government during
the same year. Tie number OF new pension
certificates issued was 5000 or these 1854
represent original allowance OF claims, ana l5,-
SIS increases OF existing pensions. The num-
Der OF persons receiving pensions from the
United States, but residing i'll foreign countries
at the close OF the last fiscal wear, was 1871.
and the amount paid TO them during the year
was S3s2.735SS. The sum appropriated fOr the
payment OF pensions for the current fiscal
year, ending June 20, 1897. is $4,000 900, and
for the succeeding year it is minated that the
same amount will be necessary.
The commissioner OF pensions reports that
during the last fiscal year 49, indictments we're
found against ~yiolators Of the pension laws.
Upon these indictments l7 convictions re-
suited.
Pacific Railroad Obligations.
The secretary calls attention to the public |
interests involved in an adjustment OF the OBJ
legations OF the Pacific railroads to the govern
ment. l Gcem it to be an important duty TO
especially present this subject to the Consider |
tion OF the congress.
Under section 4 OF the act Of congress passed
Vla!cH y, 1896, the preSluenI Is cLlrheu Win
the duty IN the event that any mortgage OF |
other lncumbrance paramount to the interest
OF the United States in the property OF the
Pacific railroads shall exist and be lawfully
liable 70 be foreclosed, to direct the action of
the departments OF the treasury and Of justice
in the protection Of the interest of the United
States by redemption or through judicial pro- |
ceedtngs, including foreclosures Of the gov
ernment liens. In view of the fact that the |
congress has for a number OF years almost |
constantly had under consideration various \
pans for dealing with the conditions existing |
between these roads and the government, I |
have thus far felt justified in Withholding &C |
ton under the statute above mentioned.
An Urgent Situation.
In the case Of the Union Pacific company, |
however, the case has become especially and
Immediately urgent. Proceedings have been
instituted to forcclose q first mortgage upon |
these aided parts OF the main lines upon
which the government holds o second and 1
subordinate mortgage lien. In consequence of
these proceedings and increasing compliea- |
tions, added to the default occurring on the
2rst day Of January, 1897, a condition will be
presented ut that date, SO far ES this company \
Is concerned, that must emphasize the man
date OF the act OF 1857 and give to executive
duty under its provisions a more important
aspect
Therefore, unless congress shall otherwise
direct or shall have previously determined
upon 4 different solution OF the problem there
will barely appear to exist any reason for de-
laying, beyond the date of the default above
mentioned, such executive action as Will prom
Use TO suSSerye the public interests and save
the government from the loss threatened by
further inacuon.