New-York tribune., 1896-12-08
. yards and greatly reduce


GA The nsrcentage Of American citizens enlisted
has heen very much increased
srAX aacretatv Il considering ana VIII for1nu-
late during the coming winter pan tor laying ing
IN ships in reserve thereby largely reducing the
cost of maintaining our vessels afoat Ihls plan
contemplates that battle-shps, torpedo poats ana
such OF the cruisers as are not neeoeu lot acuve
eervjco AT sea shall he kept in reserve. with skei-
oton crews on board to keep them In condition,
cruising only enough to insure the emclency OF
the ships and their crews in time OF actvity.
The economy to result from th's system IL 100
obvious to need comment.
,rhe Naval Militia which was authorized few
wears ago as an experiment. has now developed
into a body of enterprisng young men, active
and energetic in the discharge OF their duties
and promising great usefulness. This establish
mont has nearly the same relation 10 our Navy
az the National Guard In the different states
hears to our Army and 1t constitutes source
OF supply for naval forces. the importance OF
which Is Immediately apparent.
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENTS WORK.
The report of the Secretary Of the Interior pre-
serts comprehensive and interesting exhibit OF
the numerous and important affairs committed
~ his suoervision 1t is impossible in this COM
,nur,caton 10 do more than briefly refer to a
Tow of the subjects concerning which the Secre-
tarv gives full and instructive information
The money appropriated on account OF this
Denartment and for its disbursement TOT the
6scal wear ended June 30. 1896. amounted to
was appropriated for the entire maintenance OF
the Government for the two fiscal years enoeo
June 30. 1851 A.
Our pubic lands. originally amounting to
1910 600 OO0 acres have been so reduced that
only about 600 OOO, 900 acres still remain in Gov
ernment control. excluding Alaska. The pal
ance being by far the most valuable portion. mas
been given away to settlers, to new States anu
to railroads or sold at comparatively nominal
sum. The patenting of land In execution OF raii-
road grants has progressed rapidly during the
year. and since the 4th day OF March. 1880. apouI
%. 5.OO0O0 acres have thus been conveyed TO these
corporations.
] agree with the Secretary that the remainder
Of our public lands should be more carefully
dealt with and their alienation guarded by better
economy ana greater prudence.
The Commission appointed from the member
ship Of the National Academy OF Sciences. pro-
vided for by an act OF Congress to formulate
plans for a National forestry system, will. 1t is
hoped soon be prepared TO present the result or
thorough and intelligent examination Of this i'm
portant subject.
PROGRESS OF THE INDIANS.
The total Indian population Of the United
States is 1925. according to 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 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 ex-
tion Of continued liberal appropriations to that
end cannot fell TO afford the utmost satisfaction
TO those who believe that the education Of Indian
children is prime factor in the accomplishment
of Indian civilization.
1t may be said in general terms that in every
particular the improvement Of the Indians un-
der Government care has been most marked and
encouraging
The Secretary the Commissioner OF Indian
Affairs. and the agents having charge of Ind
ians to whom allotments have been made
strongly urge the passage of law prohibiting
the sale of liquor TO allottees who have taken
their lands In severalty. / earnestly Join in
this recommendation and venture to express
the hope that the Indian may be speedily pro-
tected against this greatest of all obstacles to
his well-being and advancement.
The condition of affairs among the Five Civil
lied Tribes. who occupy large tracts Of land in
the Indian Territory. and who have govern
ments Of their own has assumed such 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 furtherance OF their
own interests. as well as for the protection Of
non-lndian residents In their territory. A COM
mission organized and empowered under several
recent laws is now negotiating with these Ind
ians for the REIMBURSEMENT OF their courts and
the division OF their common lands In severaty.
and aiding in the settlement of the trouble
some question Of tribal membership The re-
ception Of their first prOfers OF negotiation was
not encouraging: but through patience and
such conduct on their part demonstrated
that their intentions were friendly and in the
interest Of the tribes the prospect OF success
has become more promising. The effort should
be to these Indians from the consequences
of their mistakes and improvidence and
to secure to the real Indian his rights as against
intruders and professed friends who profit by
his retrogressiOn. change Is also needed to
protect life and property through the operation
of courts conducted according to strict justice
and strong enough to enforce their mandates.
AS a sincere friend of the Indian l am ex-
ceedingly anxious that these reforms should be
accomplished with the consent and aid OF the
frih md NAV hQ
for radical drastic legislation. ! hope. there
FORE that the Commission now conducting ne
gotations will he able to report that
progress has been made toward friendly ad-
justment of existing difficulties.
1t appears that very valuable deposit OF gill
sonite or asphaltum has been found on the
reservation in Utah occupied by the Cncom
pahgre Ute Indians. Every consideration of care
for the public interest and every sensible business
<eason. dictate such management or disposal OF
this important source of public revenue as Will
except II from the general rules and incidents
attending the ordinary disposition of public
lands. and secure to the Government far
share q; least of its advantages in place Of its
transfer for nominal sum to interested indi-
viduals.
indcrse the recommendation made by the
present Secretary Of the Interior. as well as his
predecessor that permanent commission con-
sistlng Of three members. one OF whom shall
be an Army officer be created to perform the
duties now devOiving upon the Commissioner
and Assistant Commissioner Of Indian Affairs.
The management Of the Bureau involves such
numerous and diverse details. ana the adVah-
tages of an uninterrupted policy are SO ap.
parent, that I hope the change suggested Will
meet the approval Of tn, Congress-
PENSION MATTERS.
The diminution Of our enormous pension roll
and the decrease of pension expenditure, which
have been so often confidently foretod still fail
in material realization. The number Of pension
ers on the rolls at the close of the fiscal year end
ed June 80, 1896 was 97O.G7S. This is the largest
number ever reported. The amount paid ex-
clusively for pensions during the year was $685.
Ola 761 o. slight decrease from that Of the pre-
ceding year, while the total expenditures on ac
count OF pensions. including the cost of maintain
ing the Department and expenses attending pen
eia.a ed O $40 CQG 80 30