The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1896-12-11

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 such an aspect as to
render it almost indispensable 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 we'll as for the protection OF
non-Indian residents in their territory.
commission organized and empowered under
several recent laws is now negotiating with
these Indians for the REIMBURSEMENT OF their
courts AID the division Of their common lands
in severalty.
Tho Pension Roll
The diminution of our enormous rensiou
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 81 1898. was e71.6.a This is the
largest number ever reported The amount
paid exclusively for pensions during the year
was s13s. PAT 1921. slight decrease from that
OF the preceding year, while the total expead-
lures on account Of pensions, including the
cost of maintainence' OF the department
amounted To sl42.206. 30 SO. or within very
small fraction Of one-third OF the entire eX-
pense OF supporting the government during the
same year. The number OF new pension certtf-
Gates issued was. 90.6N OF these 10. 374 repre-
sent original allowances OF claims and l5.SIS
increases OF existing pensions. The number OF
persons receiving pensions from the United
States. but residing in foreign countries at he
close Of the last fiscal year was $751; and the
amount paid to them during the year was
1852 73a 80. The sum appropriated for the pay
ment Of pensions for the current fiscal year,
ending June go 1897. is $500 00)l. and for the
succeeding year 1t Is estimated that the same
amount will be necessary.
The Pacific Railroads.
The secretary calls attention to the public
interests involved in an adjustment Of the OBJ
legations OF the Pacific railroads to the govern
ment deem it to be an important duty to es-
pecially present this subject to the consider
alton Of the congress. On January IL. 1897.
with the amount already matured, more than
tl3.OoO.OOO of the principal OF the subsidiary
bond issued by the United States in aid of the
construction Of the Union Pacific railway, in
GLIDING its Kansas line, and more than s6, 000,
OOO Of like bonds, issued in aid OF the Central
Pacific railroad. including those issued to the
Western Pacific Railway Co., will have fallen
due and been paid or must on that
day be paid by the government With
out any reference to the application OF
the sinking funds now in the treasury
this will create such default the part of
the companies to the government as will give
it the right to at once institute proceedings to
foreclose its mortgage lien In addition to
this Indebtedness which will be due January
l, 1897 there will mature between that date
and January 1. 1892 the remaining principal OF
such subsidy bonds which must also be met by
the government. These amount to more than
g. 900 ,OOJ on account of the Union Pacific
lines and exceeds s2l ,0)0,OOo on account of the
Central Pacific lines
The Agricultural department..
The department OF agriculture is so init
mately related to he welfare of our people and
the prosperity OF our nation that it SHOULD con-
stantly receive the care and encouragement OF
the government The secretary reports that
the value OF our exports Of farm products dur
ing the last fiscal year amounted to
s 70.00OO00, an increase OF s17,0O0000 over
those OF the year Immediately preceding
This statement is not the less welcome be-
cause of the fact that Notwithstanding such in
crease. the proportion of exported agricultural
products to our total exports Of all description
fell OF during the year. The benefits of an in
crease in agricultural products being assured.
the decrease in its proportion to our total ex-
ports is more gratifying when we consider that
it is coming to the fact that such total exports
for the year increased more than S75,0O,Jo0
The large and increasing expectation Of our
agricultural products suggests the great USE
fulness Of the organization lately established
in the department for the purpose OF getting
to those engaged in the farming pursuits re-
liable information concerning the condition.
needs and advantages OF different foreign
markets. Inasmuch the success of the
farmer depends upon the advantageous sale
OF his products, and inasmuch foreign mar
kets must largely be the destination OF such
products, it is quite apparent that knowledge
of the conditions ard wants that affect
these markets ought to result in
sowing more intellisently and reap
ing with better promise Of profit.
Such information points out the way to pru-
dent foresight in the selection and cultiva-
ton of crops and to a release from the bond
nnreaSoOinU n actinn n
glutted and depressed market and constantly
recurring Improbable toll. In nv opinion the
gratuitous distribution OF seeds by the depart
ment as at present conducted ought to be
discontinued.
Civil Service Reform.
The progress made in civil service reform
furnishes cause for the utmost congrat ula-
ton. 1t has survived the doubts Of its friends
as well as the rancor Of its enemies and has
gained permanent place among the agencies
destined to cleanse politics and improve.
economic and elevate the public service.
There are now in the competitive classified
service upwards of SI.c0I places. More than
half Of these have been included from time to
time since March 4, 1898. A most radical and
sweeping extension was made by executive
order dated the eth day of May. 1895.
and II fourth-class poStmasterShips are not in
cluded in the statement it may be said that
practically all positions contemplated by the
civil service law are now classified Abundant
reasons exist for including these postmaster
ships, based upon economy. improved service
and the peace and quiet OF neighborhoods. II.
however. obstacles prevent such action at
present, earnestly hope that congress will.
without increasing post Office appropriations.
SO adjust them rs to permit in proper cases OF
consolidation Of these post Offices to the end
that through this process the result desired
may to limited extent be accomplished
The Tariff.
fo 70 he toto ole
where made concerning the government re-
ceipts and expenditures for the purpose of
venturing upon some suggestions touching our
present tariff law and its operations. This
statute took effect on the 18th day OF August,
1884, Whatever may be its shortcomings as a
complete measure OF tariff reform. it must be
conceded that it has opened up the
way to freer and greater ex-
change OF commodities between US and other
countries and thus furnished q wider marNet
for our products and manufactures. The
only entire fiscal year during which this law
has been in force ended on the 3Oth day o.
June, 1895 In that year our i'm ports increased
over those OF the previous year more than
es.5o00O while the value OF the domestic prod
ucts exported and which found mar
kets abroad was nearly 100 o,ooJ
more than during the preceding year.
Those who insist that the cost to our people
Of articles coming to them from abroad for
their needful use should only be increased
through tariff changes to an extent necessary
to meet the expenses Of the government, as
we'll as those who claim that tariff changes
may be laid upon such articles beyond the
necessities Of government revenue, and VITA
price in our markets as to give American
manufacturers aad producers better
and more profitable opportunities.
must agree that tariff laws