The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-07

ished with an Office at some point In the
Yukon Valley and an appropriation IS now
necessary for that purpose.
The President concurs with Secretary
Aigor as 10 the necessity Of a military
force in that territory and also urges the
establishment OF some flexible system OF
government Referring to the startling
though possibly exaggerated reports OF
shortage of food in the Klondike, the
President says although access TO that
section in the winter is most difficult
and perhaps impossible task. yet II these
reports be verified, every effort at any
cost should be made to carry the miners
relief
INDIAN TERRITORY.
Mention Is made OF the fact that there
is no protection for the rights of property
OF the many white citizens now in the
Indian Territory; that thousands of their
children are of school age but the doors
Of the schools of the nation are closed
against them. II is said that leading
Indians have absorbed great tracts OF
lands to the exclusion of the common
people and the government by Indian ar
istocracy has been practically establish
ed.
rAWES COMMISSION.
The work of the Dawes Commission is
described II is said that the Choctaws
and Chickasaws have ratified the agree
ment reached by the commission and IL
the other tribes of the nation failed TO
enter into similar arrangements then
legislation must be had, for" says the
President, II concur with the Secretary
OF the Interior. that there can be no cure
for the evils engendered by the perver-
sion OF these great trusts excepting by
their resumption by the government,
which created them"
QUARANTINE LAWS.
The President concurs in recommen-
dalton of the Secretary Of the Treasury
that the quarantine laws be amended to
give the Treasury Department requisite
authority TO prevent the introduction Of
epidemic diseases from foreign countries,
and ne also suggests the appointment
OF an expert commission to discover the
exact cause Of yellow fever.
PACIFIC RAILROADS.
The message deals briefly with the his
tory OF the Pacific railroad sale Of the
past season. IL Is said that the upset
price OF the sale of the Kansas Pacific
will yield the Government $3.50 900 over
all and If no better bid is made that is all
the Government will receive on its claim
OF nearly 100000. II is not known
whether a better bid will ED received. So
the question presented Is whether the
Government shall purchase or redeem the
road in the event that bid is not made
by private parties covering the entire
government claim. The President says he
believes he has the authority TO do this.
and unless Congress takes action he shall
desire the Secretary 10 deposit the $500 90
required 10 qualify as bidder and To
bid sum equal 10 the principal Of the
debt due to the Government. He sug-
gests, however. the passage OF a law im-
mediately, expressly covering this case.
saying that while IL Is clear TO his mind
that the Government should not permit the
property TO be sold at price which will
yield less than one-half OF the principal
OF its debt. and less than one-fifth OF its
entire debt. principal and interest yet
whether the Government should become
the owners OF the property he submits to
Congress.
CIVIL SERVICE.
The last topic treated In the measure