The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-12-07
INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
This Department Now Costs More
Than Entire Government Did in
1861.

The report of the secretary of the
interior presents a comprehensive and
Interesting exhibit of the numerous and
important affairs committed 10 his SUI
pervision. TIT is impossible in this COM
InuulcatiQn 10 do more than briefly re-
fer to a few of the subjects concerning
which the secretary gives full and in
structive information
The money appropriated on account
OF this department and for its disDurse-
ment for the fiscal year ended June 30.
1895. amounted to more than S157 600 600
or a greater SUM than was appropriated
for the maintenance of the government
for the Two fiscal years ending June 80.
1851
our public lands. originally amount
ing to l. eco acres have been so
reduced that only about 100000. COO acres
still remain i'm government control. i'm
Guiding Alaska. The balance being by
FAR the most Valua bic portion, has been
given away to settlers. in new states
and to railroads or sold at a compare
lively nominal sum
The patenting of land in execution
OF railroad grants has progressed rap
idly during the year and since the Attn
day of March. 1893. about 25. 600 600 acres
have thus been conveyed to the c0rpora-
mons agree with the secretary that
the remainder Of our public lands should
be more carefully dealt with and their
alienation guarded by better economy
and greater prudence
The commission appointed from the
AtlE4AtAuA1LlAD Oh the national academy ID
sciences, provided for by am act of con-
Sress to formulate plans for a national
forestry system, Will. it is hoped soon
be prepared to present the result of
thorough and intelligent organization of
this important subject.
The total Indian population of the
United states is 177. 235 according to a
census made in lSs4 exclusive of those
within the state of New York and those
comprising the five civilized tribes. OF
this number there are Approximately
$4,000 of school age During the year
z3.3sS of these We're enrolled in school.
Fhe progress which has attended re-
cent efforts to extend Indian school IA
cllities and the anticipation of contfn-
ued liberal appropriations to that end
cannot fail to afford the utmost sa-fs-
faction 70 those who believe that the
education of Indian children is a prime
factor i'm the accomplishment of Indian
civilization
1t may be said in general terms that
4n every particular the Improvement of
the Indians under government care has
been most marked and eucOuragin.r
ne secretary, the commissioner of IN
dian afalrs- and the agents having
charge of Indians to whom allotfnar,rs
nave been made. strongly urge the pas
SAGE OF law prohibiting the sale of Ii
4lol 90 aliottees who have taken their
lana lu SaNeralty. 1 earnestly i0fn in This
recommendation and venture to express
the nope that the Indian may BE speed
lily protected against this greatest of an
obstacles 10 his we'll being and advance
lnent.
The condition of affairs among the
4iNe c-Nlllzed tribes who occupy large
tracts ~ land in the Inuian Territory
- - XIX llAs governments DC their own
las assumed suen an aspect as to rem
der III almost Indispensable that there
should be an entire change in The rel,
t0ns OF these Indians to the general
government This seems to be neces-
sary in furtherance of their own inter
ests as Wen as for the protection If
Aon-lndian residents ia their territory
a commission organized and empower
ed under several recent laws is now ne
gotiating- with these Indians for the re-
Hnquishment of their courts and the df-
vision of their common lands in sever
atty and aiding in the settlement of the
Troublesome question of tribal member
ship
sAN p INDIANS FROM MISTAKES.
Lhr reception Of their first prOffars 81
H5s9llations was not encoura ging. but
t-lotsh patience and such conduct on
tl4et part as demonstrated that their
-t1t5t- lions We're friendly and in the in
o. the best prospect Of success
mas become more Promising The efforts
should be to save the Indians from rha
consequences 1f their own mistakes ana
lmpioNldence and to secure t9 tha raai
MOAN nus rights as against iutruders
ana professional friends who pro6f nv
his retrogression.
A change is also needed to protect life
and property through the opera zion If
$3.50 ~ N-ttAAA Attee4 according to StTfrr ms
tlce and strong enough t0 enforce ris5r
mandates AS sincere friend oF fba
Indian. I am exceedingly anszions 60
these reforms should be accomplished
with the consent and aid of the rrif,4.-
ana thar no necessity may be presented
Tor radical or drastic legislation I hone
therefore, that the commission now COM
quoting negotiations win soon DE able
% report that progress has been made
toward friendly adjustment of exist
ing difficulties
Al appears that a very valuable de-