The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-12-11

In government cvntIol, excluding Alaska
the balance. being by far the most valu
able portion has been given away to settlers
| 10 new stptes and 10 railroads or sold a
comparatively nominal sum. The patent
Ing OF lands in execution of railroad grant,
nse sse MsSrSg ss
soOoOO0O acres have thus been conveyed Il
these corporations.
Care Recommended.
/ agree with the secretary that the remain
der OF our public lands should be more careful
~ dealt with and their alienation guarded by
better economy and greater prudence.
Toe commission appointed from the member
ship OF the national academy of science, pro
vlded for by an act OF co gress to formulate
plans for national forestry system, win, IL is
hoped, soon be prepared to present the result
OF thorough and intelligent examination of this
important subject.
The Indians.
The total Indian population of the United
States Is 177,2S5,. according to a census
made in 1896, 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 23, 1893 of these
were enrolled in schools. The progress
tend Indian school facilities and the an
ticipation of continued liberal appropria-
tfons to that end, cannot fail to afford the
utmost satisfaction to those who believe
that the education of Indian children is q
prime factor in the accomplishment of
Indian civilization.
Conditions Improved.
1t may be said in general terms. that in
every particular the improvement of the
Indians under government has been
most marked and encouraging. The sec
rotary, the commissioner OF Indian affairs
and the agents. having charge of In
dams to whom allotments have been made
strongly urge the passage of law pro-
hibiting the sale OF liquor to allottees who
la do In Itxr Il
earnestly join in this recommendation, and
venture to express the hope that the In
dian may be speedily protected against
this greatest of all obstacles to his we'll
being and advancement
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 1t almost in
dispensable 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.
Allotment OF Lands.
A commission organized and empowered
under several recent laws Is now negotiat-
ing with these Indians for the relinquish-
their common lands in severalty and are
aiding In the settlement of the trouble
some question of tribal membership. The
reception of their first proffers of negotia-
ton were not encoura ging. blt through ma
tience and such conduct on their part as
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 save
these Indians from the consequences Of
their own mistakes and improvidence and
to secure to the real Indian his rights as
against intruders and protested friends
who profit by. his retrogression.
and property through the operation of
courts conducted according to strict JUS
tice and strong enough to enforce their
As a sincere friend of the Indian I am
exceedingly anxious that these reforms
should be accomplished with the consent
may be presented for radical or drastic
legislation. l hope, therefore, that the
commission now conducting the negotia-
lions will soon be able to report that prog
ress has been made toward a friendly adj
ustment of existing difficulties;
1t appears that very valuable deposit
Of gilsonite or asphaltum has been found
on the reservation In Utah occupied by the
Uncompahgre Ute Indians. Every con-
,ideration of care for the public interest
and every sensible business reason die |
ate such management or disposal Of this
important source of public revenue as will !
except 1t from the general rules and Incl |
tents attending the ordinary disposition of |
public lands, and secure to the government |
4 fair share at least Of its advantages |
n place of its transfer for nominal sum |
% interested individuals.
I indorse the recommendation made by |
he present secretary of the interior as |
we'll as his predecessor that permanent
consisting OF three members, |
me of whom shall be an army officer, be |
,reated to perform the duties now devolv-
ng upon the commissioner and assistant
commissioner of Indian affairs. The man.
lgcment Of the bureau involves such nu-
nerous and diverse details and the adj
'antages Of an uninterrupted policy are SO
that hope the change suggested
will meet the approval of the congress.
Pensions.
The diminution of our enormous PEN
ion roll and the decrease of pension ex-
enditure which have been so often conf
emily foretold, still fail in material reali-
alton. The number of pensioners on the
oils at the close of the fiscal year ended
une 30, 1896, was TO,67S. This is the largest
xclusively for the pensions during the
ear was $13S, PA 1914. slight decrease
rom that of the preceding year, while the
the cost of maintaining the de-
artment and expenses attending pension
istribution amounted to $142, 2O6, 55O59, or |
{ the entire expense of supporting the gov
'nment during the same year. The num-
er of new pension certificates issued was
$40. OF these, 1884 represent original al
wances of claims and 1888 increase of
listing pensions. The number of per-
,ns receiving pensions from the United
.ates, but residing in foreign countries,
the close of the last fiscal year was 1851,
nd the amount paid to them during the
ear was $5S2, 735.SS.
The sum appropriated for the payment
pensions for the current fiscal year end
g June 80, 1897, is 100000, and for the
icceeding year II is estimated that the
Tine amount will be necessary.
The commissioner of pensions reports |
lat during the last fiscal year 1893 indict-
ents were found against violators of the |
ension laws Upon these indictments l67
,nvictions resulted.
Abuses Are Demoralizing.
In my opinion, based upon such state
ents as these and much other Informal
ON and observation, the abuses which
Ave been allowed to creep into our PEN
on system have done incalculable harm
demoralizing our people and undermin,
z good citizenship. / have endeavored |
thin my sphere of official duty to pro-
ct our pension roll and make 1t what
should be, a roll of honor, containing
70 names of those disabled in their coun-
US service and worthy Of their coun-
US affectionate remembrance. When 1 |
i've seen those who pose as the soldiers G
lends, active and alert in urging greater
kitty and more reckless pension expendi-
res, while nursing selfish schemes, have 9
,precated the approach of a situation
hen necessary retrenchment and enforced [
onomy may lead to an attack upon PEN
pm abuses, so determined as to overlook |
ne discrimination due to those who, {
orthy of q nations care, ought to live T
Id die under the protection of a nations
attitude. Z
The Pacific Railroads.