The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1897-12-09

Urging the need for additional ap-
preparation for the armor of three of
the five battleships now in course OF
construction. the PRESIDENT says:
The present naval force especially
in view of its increase by the ships now
under construction. While not as large
as that of few other powers, is a
formidable force; its vessels are tho
very best OF each type. and with the
increase that should be made to 1t from
time 10 time in the future. and careful
attention to keeping 1t in a high state
of efficiency and repair, IL Is wei!
adapted to the necessities OF the coun-
try. The great increase of the navy
which has taken place in recent years
was justified by the requirements for
national defense and has received
public appreciation.
He then urges the construction OF
three or four large docks for the use Of
the navy on the Atlantic coast. at least
one on the Pacific coast and a floating
dock in the gulf. and earnestly recon-
mends an increase In the number Of
enlisted men for the navy. He also
concurS with the recommendation of
the secretary of the navy that a bat
tleship be constructed for the Pacific
coast
The need for the material changes in
the laws governing Alaska. in view OF
the great influx OF population to that
territory. is strongly urged. The presi-
dent also calls the attention of congress
to the startling though possibly eX
aggerated reports of the probable short
age of food in the Yukon country" and
declares that should the reports prove
true every effort should be made to
afford relief.
Discussing the Indian question the
president says:
THE CIVILIZED TRIBES.
For a number of years past 1t ha.
been apparent that the conditions
under which the five civilized tribes
We're established in the Indian Terri
tory under treaty provisions with the
United States with the right of self
government and the exclusion of all
white persons from within their bor
ders, have undergone SO complete
change as to render the continuance OF
the system thus inaugurated practi
cally impossible. The total number
of the five civilized tribes, as shown by
the last census, is 4J,494. and this num-
Der has not materially increased: while
the white population is estimated at
from 200 900 to $50 coo. The United
States citizens residing in the Terri
tory, most of whom have gone there
by invitation or with the consent OF the
tribal authorities, have made perma-
nent homes for themselves. Numerous
towns have been built in which from
500 to 5000 white people now reside.
Valuable residences and business
houses have been erected in many or
them. Large business enterprises are
carried on in which vast SANS of
money are employed, and yet these
people, who have invested their capital
In the development of the productive
resources Of the country, are without
title to the land they occupy and have
no voice whatever in the government
either Of the nations or tribes. Thou
sands Of their children who were born
in the Territory are of school age, but
the doors of the schools Of the nations
are shut against them, and what edu-
cation they get Is by private contri-
button. No provision for the protection
of the life or property Of these white
citizens is made by the tribal govern
mentS and courts.
The secretary of the interior reports
that leading Indians have absorbed
great tracts of land to the exclusion OF
the common people, and government by
an Indian aristocracy has been practi-
cally established to the detriment OF
the people Friends of the Indians have
long believed that the best interests Of
the Indians of the five civilized tribes
would be found in American citizenship.
with all the rights and privileges which
belong to that condition.
Should the agreement between the
Choctaws and Chickasaws be ratified
by congress, and should the other tribes
fail to make an agreement with the
commission. then it will be necessary
that some legislation shall be had by
congress which, while just and hon
orable to the Indians, shall be equitable
to the white people who have settled
| upon these lands by invitation OF the
tribal nations.
The president recommends a sys-
tematic meteorological investigation to
discover the exact cause Of yellow fs-
the disease. He calls attention to the
fact that but 81 500, 900 Is offered for the
Kansas Pacific road, although the gov
ernment's claim against the road Is
/ $13 000. 600, and asks whether the gov
ernment shall purchase or redeem the
4 road. Congress is congratulated on the
establishment of the Congressional IL
/ brary, and it's development Is urged.
The message closes with a chapter on
the civil service system.