The Greenville times., 1896-12-09
National Forestry System.

National Forestry System.
The commission appointed from the men,
bershipof the National academy Of sciences.
provided for by an act OF congress to formulate
plans for national forestry system, will. II is
hoped. soon be prepared to present the result
% thorough and Intelligent examination Of this
important subject.
Our Indian Wards.
The total Indian population Of the United
States is la ,23), according TO a census made In
1 80, exclusive OF those within the state OF
New lork and those comprising the five civil
lied tribes. OF this number there are approx
tmately 81 90 children OF school age. During
the year 3,3ss OF these were enrolled and may
be In schools. The progress which has attend
ed recent Efforts to extend Indian school facll-
appropriations to that end. can not fail to
AFFORD the utmost satisfaction to those who be-
lteve that the education OF Indian children Is
a prime factor In the accomplishment OF In
dian civilization.
The Five Civilized Tribes.
The condition of Affairs among the FIVE civil
lied tribes, who occupy large tracts Of land In
the Indian territory, and who have govern
ments OF their own, has assumed such On as
pect as to render 1t almost indispensable that
there should be an entire change In the rela-
ttons OF these Indians to the general govern
ment. This seems 10 be necessary In further
anee OF their own interests. as well as for the
protection OF non-Indan residents In their ter
powered under several recent laws Is now
negotiating with these Indians for the
REIMBURSEMENT OF their courts and the di-
vision OF their common lands Ia seyeralty,
and are aiding In the settlement OF the trouble
some question OF tribal membership The
reception Of their first proffers OF negotiation
was not encouraging, but through patience and
such conduct on their part as demonstrated
that their Intentions were friendly. and 10 the
interest OF the tribes, the prospect Of success
has become more promising.
Utah Giisonite Deposits.
II appears that very valuable deposit Of
gllsonite or asphaltum has been found on the
reservation In Utah occupied BY the uncoui-
paghre Ute Indians. Every consideration Of
care for the public interest. and every sensible
business reason, dictate such management or
disposal OF this important source OF public
revenue ns will except II from the general
rules and Incidents attending the ordinary dis
position OF public lands and secure TO the gov-
ernmenta fair share ut least, OF its advantages
In place OF Its transfer for nominal sum to In
terested indiydualism.
A Permanent Indian Commission.
indorse the recommendation made by the
present secretary OF the interior, as well as
his predecessor, that permanent commission,
shall be an army officer, be created to perform
the duties now devolving upon the commis-
stoner and assistant commissioner OF Indian
Affairs.
Ihe ienatOu hOll.
The dlmlnution OF our enormous pension roll
and the decrease OF pension expenditure which
have been so often confidently foretold still fall
In material realization. The number OF pom
sioners on the roll ut the close OF the fiscal
year ended June 90 lso6, was s70,61 This Is
the largest number ever reported. The amount
paid exclusively for pensions during the year
was tlss .sdie4, O slight decrease from that
OF the preceding year, while the total expendi-
lures on account OF pensions, including tho
roa nf tt,ta int th. a..,a "A
expenses attending pension distribution.
amounted to e1i2, zoo, ,it0.5e, or within q very
small fraction of one-third OF the entire ex-
penso OF supporting the government during
the same year The number OF new pension
certifeates issued was oooio OF these 4O,s7s
represent original allowance OF claims, and 49,
e7s increases OF existing pensions. The num-
Der o. persons receiving pensions from the
at the close OF the last fiscal year, was s,7si,
and the amount paid to them during the year
was &s2.i35.S ~. The sum appropriated for the
payment OF pensions for the current fiscal
| year, ending June 20, 1897, Is tlt0,0O0C00, and
Tor the succeeding year 1t Is estimated that the
| same amount Will be necessary.
Tho commissioner OF pensions reports that
during tho last hscalyear 49, indictments we're
found against violators OF the pension laws.
| Upon these indictments 167 convictions re-
| suited 4I5rlH nIf
Pacific Railroad Obligations
Tho secretary calls attention to the public
| interests involved IN an adjustment OF the OBJ
legations OF the Pacilc railroads to the govern
ment. | deem IL TO be an important duty to
especially present this subject to the consider
| tion OF the congress.
Under section OF the oct OF congress passed
March 3, 1887, the president is charged with
the duty In the event that any mortgage or
| other lncumbrnnce paramount to the interest
OF the United States In the property OF the
| Pacific railroads shall exist and be lawfully
liable TO be forecloscd, TO direct the action OF
/ the departments OF tho treasury and OF Justice
In the. protection Of the interest Of the United
States by redemption or through judicial pro-
coedngs, including foreclosures OF the gov
| ernment liens. In view OF the fact that the
congress has for number OF years almost
constantly had under consideration various
| plans for dealing with the conditions existing
between these roads and the government,
have thus far felt justified In Withholding ac-
tlon under the statute above mentioned.
An Urgent Situation.
| In the case OF the Union Pacific company,
| however, the case has become especially and
Immediately urgent Proceedings have been
| Instituted 10 foreclose first mortgage upon
these aided parts OF the main lines upon
| which the government holds a second and
subordinate mortgage lien. In consequence OF
these proceedings and increasing compica-
tions, added TO the default occurring on the
first day OF January, lte7 condition will be
presented ut that date 30 far as this company
is concerned that must emphasize the man
date OF the act OF 1887 and give to executive
duty tyt, under its provisions : more important
| Therefore unless congress shall otherwise
direct or shall have previously determined
| upon different solution OF the problem there
| viii hardly appear to exist any reason for de-
laying. beyond the date OF the default above
| mentioned, such executive action as will prom
Use to subserve the public interests and save
the government from the loss threatened by
| further inaction.