The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-07
THE MESSAGE.
Oontinued from Page 4.
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.


The report OF the secretary OF the inter
Tor presents n comprehensive and inter-
esting exhibit of the numerous and i'm
portant affairs committed 10 his super
vision. 1t Is impossible In this communi-
cation 10 do more than briefly refer TO q
few OF the subjects concerning which the
socretarr givua full and Instructive infor-
nation.
The money appropriated on account of
this department and for It's disbursement
for the fiscal year ended June 3O 1885,
amounted 10 more than $l51. 1000. or a
greater sum than was appropriated for
the entire maintenance OF the govern
ment for the two fiscal years ended June
30. 1861.
Our public lands. originally amounting
to 1.@0 100000 acres have been so re-
duced that only about GOO, 900. 900 acres still
remain in government control. excluding
Alaska. The balance. being by far the
most valuable portion, has been gwen
away 10 settlers. TO new states and TO
railroads. or sold at a comparatively
nominal sum.
The patenting Of land in execution OF
railroad grants has progressed rapidly
during the year. and since Hle 4th day CT
Match. 1893. about 25,0o0000 acres nave
thus been conveyed TO these corporations
i agree with the secretary that the re-
mainder OF our public lands should De
more carefully dealt with and their ahen-
alton sfsardcd by better economy anu
greater prudence. The commission ap-
pointed from the membership OF the ma
tional academy Of sciences, provided ior
by an act OF congress. TO formulate plans
for a national forestry system VIII, IL
is hoped. soon be prepared TO present the
result OF thorough and intelligent eA-
animation Of this important subject.
The total Indian population OF the
United States is lT,2S5. accornng 10
census made In 1895. exclusive or tnose
within the state of New York and those
comprising the five civilized tribes, VI
this number there are approximately Ss'-
90 children OF school age. During the year
q, 800 OF these were enrolled in schools.
The progress which has attended recent
efforts TO extend Indian school facilities,
ana the anticipation OF continued liberal
appropriations TO that end, can not fail
TO afford the utmost satisfactio TO those
who believe that the education OF In
dian children Is a prime factor In the
accomplishment OF Indian civilization.
II may be said in general terms that
In every particular the Improvement or
the Indians under government care has
been most marked and encouraging. The
secretary. the commissioner OF indian
affairs and the agents having charge OF
Indians 10 whom allotments have been
made strongly urge the passage OF law
prohibiting the sale OF liquor to allottoes
who have taken their lands in severalty.
earnestly join in this recommendation,
and venture TO express the hope that the
indian may be speedily projected against
the greatest OF all obstacles 10 his we'll
being and advancement.
endorse the recommendation made by
the present secretary Of the interior, as
well as his predecessor. that permanent
commission, consisting Of three members
one OF whom shall be an army officer. be
created 10 perform the duties now de-
volving upon the commissioner and as
sistant commissioner OF Indian sffairs.
The management OF the bureau involves
such numerous and diverse details, and
the advantages 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 penHon ex-
penditure which have been SO often con-
fidently foretold, still fail I'm material re-
aliZation. The number of pensioners on
the rolls ct the close of the fiscal year
ended June 30. 1896, was 970,61S. This is
the largest number ever reported. The
amount paid exclusively for pensions dur
ing the year was Sl3S, PA 1914. a slight de-
crease from that Of the preceding year,
while the total expenditures on account
OF pensions. including the cost of main
tanning the department and expenses at
tending pension distribution. amounted TO
sli2. zoo. $50 SO or within n very small frac-
ton of one-third OF the entire expense
OF supporting the government during the
same year. The number Of new pension
certificates issued was 5000. OF these
a.. 37i represent original allowances OF
claims and 15,S7s increases OF existing pen
sions.
The number Of persons receiving PEN
sons from the United States, but resd-
ing in foreign countries at the close or
the last fiscal year was S,1sl, and the
amount paid TO them during the year was
s5S2, 1859. The sum appropriated for the
payment of pensions for the current fiscal
year ending June S0 1891. Is Slio 100000. and
for the succeeding year IL Is estimated
that the same amount will be necessary.
The commissioner Of pensions reports
that durinS the last fiscal year. 339 indict-
ments were found against violaters of
nc pension laws. Upon these indictments
l67 convictions resulted.
In my opinion, based upon such state
ments as these and much other informa-
ton and observation, the abuses which
have been allowed TO creep into our PEN
sion system, have done incalculable harm
In demoralizing our people and undermin-
4HsAs ~ = -e.atiear reret
within my sphere of official duty TO pro-
tect our pension roll, and make IL what
IL should be- a roll of honor containing
the names of those disabled in their
country's service. and worthy OF their
,ountry's affecuonate remembrance
When have econ those who pose as the
soldiers friends active and alert in urging
greater laxity and more reckless pension
expenditure whRe nursing selfish schemes,
have deprecated the approach OF n sit
uation whom necessary rctrenchment and
enforced economy may lead 10 an attack
upon pension abuses, so determined as
70 overlook the discrimination due to
those Who worthy OF a nations care.
ought 10 live and Gle under the protec-
ton OF a nations gratitude.
RAILROADS OBLIGATIONS.
The secretary calls attention to the pub
lic interests involved in an ADJUST
ment Of the obligations Of the Pacific
railroads TO tho government. deem IL 10
be an important duty TO especially pre-
sent this subject TO tho consideration of
the congress.
on Jan. I. ISC7 with the amount already
matured. more thGn ls.oC0,000 OF the prin-
cipal OF the subsidy bonds issued by the
~. Ia, I'D Of h.