The state herald., 1897-11-26
SEC. BLISS REPORTS.
INTERIOR DEPARTMENT AF-
FAIRS.
kecommends Tina; ne for Uncompohgrc
Land Ailotments BE Extended Better
Government for Alaska Desired.


Washington, Nov. 1s.-Secretnry OF
the Interior Bliss in his annual report,
made public tonight, submits estl.
mates aggregnting x1a6,532, ,41O for ap-
preparations for Congress for the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1880.
Discussing pensions he says 2O0.O0O
pension claims are awaiting ndjudicn-
tiOn and 1t Ia estimated that forty or
fifty per cent. of these will be finally
admitted. If they are rapidly adjudi-
Gated they will swell the pension roll
from $5.O0O,OOO to $7,OOO,OOO.
When, however, these claims are adj
judica,ed and the first payments made
thereon, the amount OF the pension roll
Will decrease very rapidly. possibly to
$125.O0O,OOO or $13O,OOOOOO the first
year.
The total Indian population of the
United States, exclusive of the New
York Indians and tile five Civilized
tribes. apprOXlmntcs 1T7,t1S, located
OH III reservations. which contain ap-
proximately 81, i0i, ,S31 acres. or these
4.5i5 have accepted allolments of land
which aggregate about 644.147 dcres.
Recommendation IL made tliat the
period of allotment of lands to the
such time beyond April l, 1893. as Con-
gress shall deem best. Reference IL
made TO the contentious of the Uncom-
lmhgres as to all0imen,s and IL stated
thnt the proceeds of the Colorado lands,
when received, over and above the
cost OF the removal OF the Indians
(i30.557), md the trust fund OF 81. .25O,-
oW'. Is to be applied so far ms requisite
IN tho rain - tnt l,.s
whose lands are TO be taken. The Un-
coinpallgres, contrary to their ideas. do
not in fact pay for The allotmcnts. ex-
cept as matter of exchange. If the
sales of the Colorado lands cannot I'M
mediately yield sufficient for REIN.
bursement for the Uininhs the govern
ment is urged to advance the necessary
sum 10 await the sale OF the lands for
Its own reimbursement. The sum OF
S1.216.SS6 Is now In the treasury to the
credit Of the Utcs fund. resulting from
The sale of the Colorado lands and in
addition there must yet be realized
from the sales over S5OO.OOO TO reim-
btrse the government, the expenses.
ETC.. Of the removal. and the 81. 1.25O.OOO
set aside from the public moneys ms n
trust fund. Such litigation as will en-
wv p'pUN' VI Nut ~
reap the benefit OF the valuable mineral
deposits IL recommended.
Speedy action in securing proper leg
islaiiOn for the coming twelfth census
IL urged. lack OF sufficient time In the
past two OF three cnumeraiions Is
complained of and the necessity of
many reforms In the way of lessening
the bulk of reports and the elimination
T.f
the twelfth census. either by postpone
ment or transfer to bureaus already In
existence Is urged.
1t IL anticipated that before the close
OF the field season the geological sur
vey will have gathered sufficient data
as to the settled area of the reserves
embraced in the executive forestry or
ders to enable the department to form
an opinion ms to population and i'm
provement. included within the re-
serves and the distribution Of the fores;
and agricultural lands.
Concerning Alaska. Secretary Bliss
says existing conditions demand u rad
ical change in the laws relating there
TO. and he recommends the public land
laws he extended to that district. that
additional land offices he created and
appropriations made to carry them into
effect: that the granting OF rights Of
way for railways. telegraph and iele-
phone lines and the construction of
roads and trans he specifically author
lied: that provision le made for the In
corporation Of municipalities. providing
for the holding Of elections. defining
qualifications for voting and giving
such powers ns nre used and exercised
by municipalities elsewhere: that the
legal aud political status of the native
population. which is In doubt. he de-
fined. who emigrnied from British Co
lumbia and under authority OF nm act
Of Congress approved March ~. 1891.
now occupy Annette Island: that com
plete territorial government bc author
lied and established and That rcprescn-
tation In Congress he granted.