Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-11-25
THE PENSION ROLL.
Two Hundred Thousand Claims
Awaiting Adjudication.
The REPORT OF SECRETARY BLISS.
Work Of the Dawes Commiss,on-Leglsla,
tl0n Recommended for the Twelfth
Census-The Needs Of Alaska-
The Nicaragua Canal

WASHINGTON, Nov 10. Secretary Of
the Interior Bliss, In his annual re-
port, made public last night, submits
estimates aggregating $3.50, 5Ss, 40 for
appropriations by congress for the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1899. Dis
cussing pensions, he says 100000 pen
sion claims are awaiting adjudication,
and it is estimated that 40 or so per
cent. of these will be finally admitted.
II they are rapidly adjudicated they
will swell the pension roll from s., OOO.-
900 to$7, 100000. When, however, these
claims are adjudicated and the first
payments made thereon the amount Of
the pension roll will decrease very rap
idly, possibly to $ls5,OOO,oOO or $780,
100000 the frs. year.
The total Indian population Of the
United States, exclusive of the New
York and the five civilized tribes, ap.
proximates l77,17S, located on III res.
ervations, which contain approxi-
mately 3S, 4O4, S37 acres OF these, 4,545
have accepted allotments Of land which
aggregate about GA 147 acres Secre.
tary Bliss says that while the opening
OF the Wichita reservation In Okla
homa to white settlement would great
ly promote the development Of the
country, yet in view Of the unsettled
condition Of the questions affecting
their rights until there is further leg
islation, he does not see how it can be
done without causing great injury and
distress. Referring to the work Of the
Dawes commission, 1t is announced
that the investigation Of the rights Of
applicants for citizenship in the five
nations has been practically completed;
the commission has been preparing
the rolls of citizenship of the several
tribes and has negotiated three
agreements. That with both the Choc-
Jaws and Chickasaws Of April 90, 1897,
is before congress, and has been rati-
fed by those tribes. That made with
the Creeks September ~ last was re-
jected almost unanimously by the
Creek council, and there is little pros.
pect Of any further agreement with
them. The Cherokees have refused to
make agreement, and negotiations
with them have been abandoned for
the time being. Such arrangements
as have been concluded vary so in their
provisions that, in view of the fact
that eventually uniform system Of
government must be provided for the
Indian territory, 1t questionable, the
report says whether any Of the agree
ments should be definitely ratified by
congress until the desired and neces-
sary uniformity can be secured.
Speedy action in securing proper
for the coming 18th census
is urged, lack of sufficient time in the
past two or three enumerations is COM
planned of and the necessity of many
reforms in the way of lessening the
bulk of reports and the elimination of
several branches of inquiries in the
9th census, either by pcstponement
u transfer to bureaus already in exist
,nce, is urged.
1t is anticipated that before the close
If the field season the geological sur
'ey will have gathered sufficient data
Us to the settled area of the reserves
embraced in the executive forestry or
lers to enable the department to form
N opinion as to population and i'm
'royements included within the re-
erves and the distribution of the for
st and agricultural lands.
Concerning Alaska, Secretary Bliss
avs existing conditions demand
adical change in the laws relating
hereto, and he recommends that the
ublic land laws be extended to that
istrict, that additional land offices be
reated and appropriation, made to
AIRY them into eject that the grant
1g of rights-of-way for railroad tele-
raph and telephone lines and the con-
truction of roads and trails be speci-
cally authorized; that provision be
lade for the incorporation OF munich
alities, providing for the holding of
lections, defining qualifications for
citing, and giving such powers as are
sed and exercised by municipalities
sewhere; that the legal and political
atus OF the native population, which
in doubt, be defined; that citizenship
, extended to the Metlakahtla In
ans who emigrated from British
and under authority of an
It of congress- approved March 3,
81, now occupy Annette island; that
'mplete territorial government be
lthorized and established, and that
presentation in congress be granted.
Work on the Nicaragua canal is still
spended and the company reports
Utilities consisting Of the amounts
III due under the concessions to the
mpany Of SO, 7O5, 900 OF bonds and not
ceeding 800 cash liabilities out.
anding unpaid; assets, unused CAPT. ,
stock, s5ls,5oo first mortgage bonds /
d the 9.42O shares Of capital stock +
ceived in liquidation, the conces- i
ms, rights. privileges franchises. 4
;, which 1t now owns, plant, equip
'nts, lands, railway supplies and
1er property in Central America, in.
lding lands between the lake and
Q Pacific.
q
For Robbing a Bank Of $4,000. \
ioRRIsTowy, n. j.. Nov. ls.-Samue. :,