The record-union., 1896-12-08
THE INDIANS.

those within the State of New York and
those comprising the five civilized
tribes. OF this number there are ap-
$4,000 children of school
age. During the year 3d. 393 Of these
which has attended recent efforts to
extend Indian school facilities and the
anticipation of continued liberal appro-
priations to that end, cannot fail to
afford the utmost Sa atLsfaction to those
who believe that the education of In
dian 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 under Government has
been most marked and encouraging.
The Secretary, the Commissioner of
Indian Affairs and agents having
charge of Indians 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. 1 earnestly join in
this recommendation, and venture 20
express the hope that the Indian may
be speedily protected against this one
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 it almost Indispensable that
there should be an entire change in the
relations of those Indian to the gen
eral Government. This seems to be
necessary in furtherance of their own
interests as well as for the protection
of non-Indian residents in their Terri
tory.
PENSIONS.
The diminution of our enormous pen
sion roll and the decrease of pension
expenditures, which have been so often
confidently foretold, still fail in mate
rial realization. The number of pen
sioners on the rolls at the close of the
fiscal year ended June 80, 1896, was
91O,61S. This is the largest number
ever reported. The amount paid exclu-
sively for the pensions during the year
was $13S, pa. 761 81, a slight decrease
from that of the preceding year, while
the total expenditures on account of
pensions, including the cost of main
tanning the department and expenses
attending the pension distributions
amounted to $40, 2,206 $50 50, or within
a very small fraction Of one-third of the
entire expense of supporting the Gov
ernment during the same year.
The number of new pensions certifi-
Gates issued was 90640. OF these 49,
374 represent original allowances of
claims and 15,S1S increase of existing
pensions. The number of persons re-
ceiving pensions from the United States
but residing in foreign countries at the
close of the last fiscal year was 3.1S1,
and the amount paid to them during
the year was $5S2, 735 3S.
The sum appropriated for the pay
ment of pensions for the current fiscal
year ending June 80, 1897, is S140,0O0,-
900, and for the succeeding year it is
estimated that the same amount will
be necessary.
The Commissioner of Pensions reports
that during the last fiscal year 500 in
dictments were found against violators
of the pension laws. Upon these indict-
ments 1GI convictions resulted. In my
opinion, based upon such statements
as these and much other information
and observation, the abuses which have
been allowed to creep into our pensions
have done incalculable harm in demor-
aliZing cur people and undermining
good citizenship. / have endeavored
within my sphere of official duty to
protect our pension and make it what
it should be-a roll of honor, contain
ing the names of those disabled in theiI
country's service and worthy of their
country's affectionate remembrance
When I have seen those who pose as
the soldiers friends. active and alert
in urging greater laxity and more reck-
less pension expenditure while nursing
selfish schemes. 1 have deprecated the
approach of a situation when necessary
retrenchment and enforced economy
may lead to an attack upon pension
abuses. so determined as to overlook
the discrimination due to those who
worthy of a national care, ought to
live and die under the protection of a
nations gratitude.
PACIFIC RAILROADS.
The Secretary calls attention to the
public interests involved in an adjust
nent of the obligations of the Pacific
railroads to the Government. 1 deem
it to be an important duty to espe-
cially present this subject to the con-
sideration of the Congress.
On January |, 1897, with the amount
already matured, more than $4,000,
600 of the principal of the subsidy
bonds issued by the United States ir
aid of the construction of the Union
Pacific Railway, including the Kansas
line, and more than sc, 100000 of like
bonds issued in aid of the Central Pa
cific Railroad, including those issued
to the Western Pacific Railroad Com.
pany. VIII have fallen due and beer
paid, or must on that day be paid by
the Government. Without any refer.
| ence to the application of the sinking
fund now in the treasury. this will ere.
ate such default on the part of these
companies to the Government as vii
give ii the right to at once institut,
proceedings to foreclose its mortgage
| lien.
In addition to this Indebtedness which
viii be due January l. 1897. there will
mature between that date and January
/. 1889. the remaining principal of such
subsidy bonds. which must also be net
| by the Government. These amount te
more than $50 .o00 900 on account OF the
Union Pacific lines. and exceed S21 900.
sHD on account of the Central Pacifi,
| lines
The situation Of these roads and the
condition OF their Indebtedness to the
Government have been fully set forth
| in the reports of various committee,
to the present and prior Congresses
and as early as 1887 they were thor
| oughly examined by a special commits.
SION apf ointed pursuant 10 an Act o.
Congress The consideration requir.
ing an adjustment of the Governments