The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-12-11


vessels for our navy has been enerRetically
prosecuted by the present administration upon
the general lines previously adopted, the de-
partment having seen no necessity for radical
changes in prior methods under which the
work was found to he progressing in a manner
highly satisfactory. 1t has been decided.
however. to provide in every ship building con-
tract that the builder should paw all trial ex-
penses, and 1t haS also been determined to
pay no speed premiums in future contracts
On March l. 1885, there were in commission but
two armored vessels, the double-turreted
monitors Miantonomoh and Monterey Since
that date. of vessels heretofore authorized,
there have been placed in their first commits
sion three firSt-cia lass and two second-claSs bat
tleShips, two armOred cruisers. one harbor de-
Tense ram and i've double-turreted monitors,
including Maine and Puritan. just completed
Eight new unarmored cruisers and two new
gunboatS have also been commissioned The
Iowa, another battleship, will be completed
about March !. and at least four more gunboats
will be eady for sea in the early spring.
The war college has developed into an insti-
tuition which it is believed will be of great
value to the navy in teaching the science OF
war, as well in stimulating professional
zeal In the navy, and it will be especially use
full in the deviSing Of plans for the utilization.
in case of necessity. of all the naval resources
Of the United States.
few years ago, as an experiment. has now de-
veloped into body OF enterprising young men,
active and energetic in the discharge Of
their duties and promising great usefulness
This establishment has nearly the same relation
TO our navy as the national guard in the differ
ent states bears to our army. and constitutes a
source Of supply to our naval forces, the i'm
porlance OF which is Immediately apparent
The Interior Department.
The report or the secretary of the inter or
presents comprehensive and intere sting eX-
hibit Of III numerous and important Affairs
committe to his supervision II is impossible
in this communication to do more than briefly
refer to a fe OF the subjects concerning VIII ch
the Sc rotary gives full and inStru tive infor-
nation Our public lands. originally amount
ing to 1.sIO.dm.1D acres have been re iuced
that only about go. 0. " acres still remain in
government control excluding ALASKA The
balance. being Uy far the most valuable por-
ton. has beel given away to suffers to new
state, and To railroa DIS, or sold at compare
lively nominal sum
The total ldian population OF the United
States Is l17.-3i. according to a cen Us made in
1s9 exclusive of those " thin tae st ate OF New
York and those comprising the five civilized
tribes OF this number there are approx
mately 3S,O00 children Of school age. During
the year 1898 of these were enrolled in
schools. The progress which has attended re-
and the anticipation of continued liberal sp
preparations to that end. cannot fail to afford
the utmost SaN~fa ton to those who
believe that the education OF In
dian children is prime factor in the
accomplishment OF Indian civilization.
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 Su'h an aspect as to
render it almost Indispensable that there
should be an entire change in the relations of
these Indian, to the general government This
seems to be necessary in furtherance OF their
own interests as we'll as for the protection OF
nSn-Indian residents in their territory. A
commission organized and empowered under
several recent laws is now negotiating with
these Indians for the REIMBURSEMENT OF their
courts and the division OF their common lands
in severalty
The reception of their first proffers of nego-
tiation was not encouraging, but through pa
thence and such conduct on their p art as dem
onstrated that their intentions we're friendly
and in the interest OF the best prospect of sue
cess has become more promising. The efforts
should be to save the Indians from the cOnSe-
quences of their own mistakes and IMPROVE
dence and to secure to the real Indian his
rights as against intruderS and profeSsed
friends who profit by his retogresSion.
AS sincere friend of the Indian am ex-
be accomplished with the consent and aid of
| the tribes and that no necessity may be pre-
scented for radical or drastic legislation.
hope, therefore. that the commission now con-
Quoting negotiations will soon be able to report
that progress has been made toward friendly
adjustment Of existing difficulties
1t appears that ve-y valuable deposit OF
gilsonite or asphaltum has been found on the
reservation In Utah occupied by the Uncom-
pahgre Ute Indians. Every consideration Of
care for the public interest aud every sensible
business reason dictate such management or
disposal Of this important source Of public
revenue as will except 1t from the general
rules and incidents attending the ordinary dis
position Of public lands, and secure TO the gov
eminent fair share at least OF its advantages
in place of its transfer for a nominal sum to
interested individuals.
indorse the recommendation made by the
present secretary of the Interior as well as his
predecessor, that q permanent commission
consisting Of three members. one OF whom
shall be an army of1cer. be created to perform
the duties now devolving upon the commits
sioner and assistant commissioner OF Indian
| AFFAIRS The management Of the bureau in
wolves such numerous diversities and the
advantages Of an uninterrupted policy are so
apparent that 1 hope the change suggested
will meet the approval Of the congress
The Pension Roll.
Inc QlmlnuLlOn OF our enormous pension
roll and the decrease OF pension expenditures
which have been so often foretold still fail in
material realization The number Of pension
ers on the rolls at the close Of the fiscal year
ended June 3d. 1885, was e70.678 This Is the
| largest number ever reported The amount
paid exclusively for pensions during the year
was slSs, 2l4, 1919, slight decrease from that
of the preceding year, while the total expend-
itures on account Of pensions, including the
cost of maintainence OF the department
and expenses attending pension distribution
amounted to Sl42.206. SO. or within a very
small fraction OF one-third Of the entire ex-
pense Of supporting the government during the
same year. The number OF new pension certif-
Gates issued was. e0.640 OF these 90 374 repre-
sent original allowances Of claims and 1888
increases of existing pensions The number OF
persons receiving pensions from the United
States. but residing in foreign countries at the
close OF the last fiscal year was 1871, and the
amount paid to them during the year was
Ss2 7Sa 3s. The sum appropriated for the pay
ment Of pensions for the current fiscal year,
ending June 80 1897. is 400 d00I. and for the
succeeding year ii is estimated that the same
| amount will be necessary.
The commissioner OF pensions reports that
during the last fiscal year 3S9 indictments
were found against violatOEs Of the pension
laws Upon these indictments 157 convictions
resulted. In my opinion. based upon such