The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1896-12-18
INTERIOR DEPARTsaENT.
The Remainder OF Our Public Land
should be Carefully Guarded. 4

the Hem01nder OF Our Public Land
should be Carefully Guarded.
The report Of the secretary Of the interl-
OF presents comprehensive and interesting
exhibit Of the numerous and important
affairs committed to his Supervision. It Is
impossible In. this communication to do
more than briefly refer to few OF the sub
5ects concerning which the seer starry gives
full aud Instructive information.. The mon
ey appropriated on account of this depart
ment for lts disbursement for the fiscal
year ended June 30. 1885, amounted to
more than $157, 600, 900, or a greater sum
than was appropriated for the entire main.
tenace OF the government for. the two fiscal
years ended Jurc 30. 1861.
Our public lands, originally amounting to
1,84O. 100000 acres. nave been reduced that
only about Goo. ,00O acres still remain In
government control excluding Alaska, the
balance being by, TAR the most valuable
portion. has been given away to settlers. to
new states and to railroads, or sold ut q
cor paratlvely nominal sum. The patent.
has progressed rapidly during the year. and
since the 4th day OF March, 1895. about
25O0O,O00 acres have thus been conveyed
to these corporations agree with the Sec
rotary that the remainder of our public
lands should be more carefully dealt with.
and their alienation guarded by better
economy and greater prudence.
Pensions. ss.t
The dlminution of our enormous pension
roll and the decrease of pension expendi.
ture which have been so often confidently
foretold, still fail In material realization.
The number of pensioners OH the rolls at
the close of the fiscal year ended June 30,
Der ever reported. The amount paid ex-
clusively for the pensions during the year
was $1Ss, 14,16l.94, slight decrease from
that Of the preceding year, while the total
expenditures on account of pensions. In
Guiding the cost Of maintaining the depart
ment and expenses attending pensions dis
tributton amounted to $142, 2O8.55O.50. or
within q very small fraction Of one-third
Of the entire expense Of supporting the gov
eminent during the same year. The num-
Der of new pension certificates issued was
90G40. OF these A0.374 represent original
allowances Of claims aud 1888 increase Of
existing pensions.
Inc number Of persons receiving pensions
from the United States, but residing In for
eign countries at the close of the last tls-
! cal year was 3.7S1, and the amount paid to
them during the year was $751;. 735 SO. The
sum appropriated for the payment Of PEN
| slons for the current fiscal year ending June
3d. 1897, Is $14O, OOO. 900, and for the sue
ceedtng year 1t Is estimated that the same
amount will be necessary. The commits
sloner Of pensions reports that during the
last fiscal year 1876 indictments were found
against violations of the pension laws.
Upon these indictments 167 convictions re-
suited.
In my opinion such statements as these
and such other information and observatio
show that the abuses which have been al-
lowed to creep into our pension system have
done incalculable harm in demoralizing our
people and undermining good citizenship.
have endeayored within my sphere Of off,
cial duty to protect our pension roll and
make 1t what 1t should be, roll Of honor.
containing the names Of those disabled in
their country's service and worthy Of. their
country's affectionate remembrance
When have seen those who pose as the
greater laxity and more reckless pension
expenditure, while nursing selfish schemes.
! have deprecated the approach Of situa-
tion when necessary rctrenchment and en-
forced economy may lead to IN attack upon
pension abuses. SO determined as to over.
look the discrimination due to those who,
worthy OF a nations Gaze, ought to live
and die under the protection Of nations
su t'tude.