River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-12-10

The Public Domain.
our public lands. originally amounting |
that only about CO.., 0600Oo acres still remain /
in government control, excluding alaska. |
drton bas Sn - s ,ar s AVIAN o 10 ss.ie3s
10 new states, and 70 railroads. or sold ar /
a comparatively nominal SUN The patent |
ing OF lands in execu ion OF railroad grants /
has progressed rapidly during the year, |
and since the 4th day OF March, 1898, about /
%. eoo.o0J scles lave thus been conveyed TO |
Care Recommended.
agree with the secretary that the re- |
aIader el cur aea puS sh ANN s sosia ne
ton guarded by better economy and greater
prudence.
membership OF the national academy OF |
sciences. provided for BY an act of congress
TO formulate plans for a national forestry |
10 present the result OF thorough and I'M /
telligent examination of this important
subject.
The total Indian population Of the United
States is I,255, according 20 census
made In 1888, exclusive or those Wltbin the
The i've Civilized tribes. OF this humber
there are approximately $500 children OF
school age; During the year 1855 Of these
were enrolled In schools. The progress |
which has attended recent efforts TO ex-
tend Indian school facilities and the an
ticipalion of continued liberal appropria-
lions 10 that end, cannot fail TO AFFORD the
utmost satisfaction TO those who believe
that the education of Indian children is 8
prime factor in the accomplishment OF
Indian civilization.
Conditions Improved.
1t may he said in general terms, that in
every particular the Improvement OF the
Indians under government has been
most marked ana encouraging; The sec
rotary, the commissioner of Indian affairs
and the b agents haNns baWe been al made
strongly urge the passage of a law pro-
hibiting the sale of liquor to allottees who
have taken their lands in seYeralty. 1
earnestly Join in this recommendation.
Allotment of Lands.
A commission organized and empowered
under several recent laws Is now negotiat-
ing with these Indians for the relinqulsh-
ment of THEN courts and the division Of
their common auos seyeralty anu are
aiding In the aetti IN ent of the trouble
some question OF { b membership. The
reception of their Lrst prefers OF negotis-
ton were not encoUrag ng, but through pa
thence and such conduct on their part as
demonstrated that their intentions were
friendly and in he interest or the tribes
the prosnect of srIecesS has become more
promising. The ort should be to save
these Indians fro the consequences of
their own mistakes and improvidenee and
to secure to the real Indian mis- rights as
against intruderS and prCfeSSed friends
WHO profit by his retrogression.
4 indorse the recommendation made by
the present secretary of the interior as
" ell as his predecessor that q permanent
com mission consisting of three members,
created to perform the duties now devoly-
ing upon tie commissioner and assistant
commissioner OF indian affairs. The man
merous and diverse details and the ad-
vantages of an uninterrupted policy are so
will meet the approval of the congress.
Pensions.
The diminution of our enormous pen
sion roll and the decrease of pension ex-
nenditure which have been so often conf
IDENTIFY foretold, still fall in material reall
cation. The number of pensioners on the
oils st the close Of 81 the fiscal year ended
number ever reported. The amount paid
exclusively. for the pensions during the
from that of the preceding year, while the
total expenditures on account of pensions,
partment and expenses attending pension
distribution amounted TO 2,206. 0.5g, or
within 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
9e,640. or these. 1881 represent original al
lowances of claims and l5,S7S increase of
existing pensions. The number of per-
sons receiving pensions from the United
at the close of the las. fiscal year was 1881,
and the amount paid to them during the
Abuses Are DemoraIizing.
In my opinion, based upon such state
ments as these and much other informa-
ton and observation, the abuses which
sion system have done incalculab.e harm
in demoralizing our people and UNDERMINE
I Within fUOn my sphere Of oieiai duty 10 pro-
tect our pension roll and make II what
It should be, q roll Of honor. containing
the names of those disabled in their coun-
try's service and worthy of their coun-
trys affectionate remembrance.
The Pacific Railroads.
The secretary calls attention 10 the pub
lie interests involved in an adjustment OF
10 Pacific
the government. I deem ii to be an impor-
tant duty to especially present this subject
january l. 1887, with the amount already
matured more than $l3,000000 of the prin
United States in aid of the construction of
the Union Pacific railway, including its
Kansas line, and more than $1,000 900 OF Ike
bonds issued in aid of the Central Paeinc
railroad including those issued to the
Western Pacific Railroad company, will
have fallen due and been paid or must on
that day be paid by the government. WIN
out any reference 10 the application of tho
sinking fund now in the treasury, this Will
companies to the government as will give
IL the right to at once institute proceed
ings TO foreclose its mortgage lien.
will be due January !, 1887, there viii ma
ttre between that date and January /, 1874,
The remaining principal of such subsidy
bonds which must also be met by the gov
ernment. These amount to more thec s-0,-
100000 on account of the Union PACING
the Central Pacific lines. The situation of
these roads and the condition OF their in
dehtedness to the government ma nave ,ts r 9een
committees to the present and prior con-
crosses; and as early as 1871 they were
thoroughly examined by special commits
sion appointed pursuant TO an act of con-
gress. The considerations requiring an al
justment of the government relations 70
aud the conclusion reached with practical
uniformity, that II these relations are not
basis securing their safe continuance.
Must Take Action.
In the case of the Union Pacific company.
however. the situation has become es-
pecially and Immediately urgent; Proceed
first mortgage upon those aided parts or
the main lines upon WHICH the govern
,nent holds a second and subordinate mort
gage Hen. In consequence of those pro-
ceedings and increasing complications,
added TO the default occurring on thee, Isl
day Of January, 1897 condition VIII be
presented at that date. so far as this COM
pany Is concerned, that must emphasize
the mandate of the act of 1881 and give TO
executive duty under its provisions more
imnerative aspect. Therefore, unless con-
.rress shall otherwise. direct or shall have
luton Of the problem, there will hardly APP
pear to exist any reason for delaying be-
yond tive date of the default above men,
TONED such executive action as will prom
Use to sLbserve the public interests ana
save the government from the loss threat
eNeu bg IuTlHsT idCllOH
Treatment of Federal Prisoners.
The Encouragement presents a detailed
and interesting statement of the important
work done under his supervision during
the last fiscal year. The ownership and
management by the government Of peni-
tentiaries for the confinement of those
convicted I'm United States courts of viola
lions of federal laws, which for many
years has been a subject of executive rec
ommendation, has at last to slight ex-
tent been realized by the utilization of the
abandoned military prison at Forth Leav
enworth as a United States pententiary.
This is certainly move I'm the right direc
ton, but il ought to be at once supple
mented by the rebuilding or extensive en-
largement of this improyised prison and
the construction of at least one more, to be
located in the southern states.
Department of Agriculture.
The department of agriculture is so In
timateIy related to the welfare of our peo-
pie and the prosperity of our nation thu
II should constantly receive the care and
encouragement Of the government From
small beginnings IL has grown to he the
center of agricultural intelligence and the
source of aid and encouragement TO agrt-
cultural efforts. Large sums of money are
annually appropriated for the maintenance
OF this department. and II must be con-
fessed that the legislation relating to II
has not always been directly in the Inter-
est of practical farming or properly
guarded against waste and extravaganza.
SO far however. the public money has beer