Warren sheaf., 1896-12-10
Equal to the Best.

TO the .DeSt-t tnat can be manufactured else:
Where, and that such notable reductions
have been made in their cost as to Justify
the statement that quite number of ves-
sells are now being constructed at rates as
low as those that prevail in European ship
yards. 49,
!. There have been saa authorized by congress
light-draft gunboats. 1e torpedo boats and
one submarine torpedo boat. Contracts
for the building of all of them have been
that we have for the present sufficient
supply of cruisers and gunboats. and that
hereafter the construction Of battle ships
and torpedo boats will supply our needs.
Department of the Interior.
The report of the secretary of the interior
presents comprehensive and interesting
exhibit of the numerous and important af-
fairs committed to his supervision. 1t is
impossible in this communication to do
more than briefly refer to a few Of the SUBJ
jects concerning which the secretary gives
full and instructive information.
The, money appropriated on account Of
this department and for its disbursement
for the fiscal year ended June ~. lsss.
greater sum than was appropriated for the
entire maintenance of the government for
the two fiscal years ended June 80. 1861.
The Public Domain.
Our public lands, originally amounting
to 1,S40, 100000 acres, have been SO reduceu
that only about 6O0, ,0OO, 200 acres still remain
in government control. excluding Alaska.
portion, has been given away to settlers,
to new states, and to railroads, or sold at
comparatively nominal sum. The patent
Ing Of lands in execution Of railroad grants
and since the 4th day Of March, 1885, about
25.eoo,ooo acres have thus been conveyed to
l agree with the secretary that the re-
mainder Of our public LANDS shouid be
more carefully dealt with and their aliena-
tion guarded by batter economy and greater
The Indians.
The total Indian population of the United
States is 1T,235,, according to q census
made in 1885, exclusive OF those within the
state Of New York and those comprising
the five civilized tribes: g OF G this number
school age. During the year 23.3s3 of these
were enrolled in schools. Ine progress
Wfh nsn aas a1d 70
ticipation of continued liberal appropria-
tions to that end, cannot fail to afford the
that the education Of Indian children is
prime factor in the accomplishment of
Indian civilization.
Conditions Improved.
It may be said in general terms. that in
every particular the Improvement of the
Indians under government has been
most marked and encoura slng; The sec
and the agents having charge CT In
dians to whom ailotments have been made
strongly urge the passage OF law pro-
have taken their lands in seyeralty. I
earnestly join in this recommendation.
Allotment of Lands. 80.
A commission organized and empowered
under several recent laws is now negotiat-
ing with these Indians for the relinqulsh-
ment Of their courts and the division Of
their common lands in severalty and are
aiding in the settlement OF the trouble
some question of tribal membership. The
reception of their first proners OF negotia-
ton were not encouraging, but through pa
tience and such conduct on their part as
demonstrated that their intentions were
friendly and In the interest OF the tribes
the Of eor shoG b t more
these Indians from the consequences of
their own mistakes and improvidence and
to secure to the real Indian his rights as
against intruders and professed friends
who profit by his retrogression.
I indorse the recommendation made by
the present secretary Of the interior as
" ell as his predecessor that permanent
commission consisting of three members,
one of whom shall be an army officer, be
created to perform the duties now devolv-
ing upon the commissioner and assistant
commissioner of Indian affairs The man
agement Of the bureau involves such n4-
vantages of an uninterrupted policy are SO
apparent that hope the change suggested
will meet the approval of the congress.
Pensions.
The diminution of our enormous PEN
sion roll and the decrease of pension ex-
penditure which have been SO often conh-
IDENTIFY foretold, still fail in material reali-
rolls at the close Of the fiscal year ended
June 30. 1885, was s7o,67S. This is the largest
number ever reported. The amount paid
Year Was $1sS, ,2l4, 7Sl. 81, a Slight decrease
from that of the preceding year, while the
total expenditures on account of pensions,
including the cost of maintaining the de-
partment and expenses attending pension
distribution amounted to $142, 2O6, BOT. SO, or
within very small fraction Of one-third
of the entire expense of supporting the gov
ernment during the same year. The num-
Der of new pension certificates issued was
90,640. OF these, 40,374 represent original al
eSsng pensons ea S The he i1 nSber ef per-
sons receiving pensions from the Cnlteo
States, but residing in foreign countries,
and the amount paid to them during the
year was $5S2, 735. .3S.
Abuses Are Demoralizing.
In my opinion, based upon such state
ments as these and much other informa-
ton and observation, the abuses when
have been allowed to creep into our pen
sion system have done incalculable harm
in demoralizing our people and underElln,
ing good citizenship. I have endeavored
within my sphere Of official duty to pro-
tect our pension roll and make it what
the names Of those disabled in their coun-
try's service and worthy of their coun-
try's affectionate remembrance.
The Pacific Railroads.
The secretary calls attention to the pup.
lie interests involved in an adjustment of
the obligations Of the Pacific. railroads to
the government. deem it to be an i1npor-
tant duty to especially present this subject
to the consideration of the congress. On
January l, 1897, with the amount already
cipal of the subsidy bonds issued by the
United States in aid of the construction of
the Union Pacific railway, including it's
Kansas line, and more than 81, 900, 900 OF like
bonds issued in aid of the Central Pacific
railroad, including those issued to the
Western Pacific Railroad company, will
that day be paid by the government. With
out any reference to the application of the
sinking fund now in the treasury, this will
create such a default on the part of these
companies to the government as will give
it the right to at once institute proceed
1ngs to foreclose it's mortgage lien.
In addition to this Indebtedness, which