Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1897-11-19
BLISS BIG DEMANDS.
Millions Needed For the Inter-
ior Department.
OVER s5,OOO,oOO FOR PENSIONS.
The Trouble With the Indian Territory
Is That Uniform Government Does Not
Exist-RadIcai Change Needed In the
Laws Governing Alaska

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19.-Secretary of
the Interior Bliss, in his annual report,
submits estimates aggregating $780,
532, 419 for appropriations by congress
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1899.
Discussing pensions, he says 100000
pension claims are awaiting adjudica-
ton, and it is estimated that 40 or 90
per cent OF these will be finally admit
ted. If they are rapidly adjudicated
they will swell the pension roll from
$5,G00,000 to $7,vJ0.000. When, how
ever, these claims are adjudicated, the
first payments made thereon the
amount of the pension roll will de.
900. 600 or S 30,000,00) the first year.
The total Indian population of the
United States, exclusive of New Y ork
Indians and the five civilized tribes,
appreximates e77, 178, located on III
reservations, which contain approx
mately 33,i04, g., acres. OF these. A.
545 have accepted allotments of land
which aggregate about GA. lat acres.
Secretary Bliss says while the open
ing of the Wichita reservation in Okla
honla to white settlement would greatly
promote the development of that coun-
try, yet in view of the unsettled condi-
tion of the questions affecting their
rights until there is further legislation,
he does not see how it can be done
without causing great injury and dis
tress. To guard against this recon-
mendation is made that the Dawes
commission be authorized 30 investi-
gate questions as TO their tights and
claims and report recommendations for
speedy and just settlement.
pnFo tf, Of
commission, it is announced that the
investigation of the rights of applicants
for citizenship in the five nations has
been practically completed; the COM
mission has been preparing the rolls of
citizenship of the several tribes and
has negotiated three agreements. That
with both the Choctaws and Chicka.
saws OF April %, 1884, is before con-
gress and has been ratified by those
tribes. That made with the Greeks
Sept ~ last was rejected almost unani-
mouslv by the Creek council and there
is little prospect of any further agree
ment with them. The Cherokees have
refused to make agreement and nego-
tiations with them have been aban.
doned for the time being.
The secretary says the five tribes
have undoubtedly violated, in many
-
with tho United States under which
the territory is now held and governed,
and, while he does not recommend any
harsh government action, the secretary
calls the attention of the president and
congress to the chaotic condition of af.
fairs OF the territory growing out of the
several tribes methods of administra.
ton. Leading Indians have absorbed
great tracts to the exclusion of the COM
mon people, and government by an
Indian aristocracy has been practi-
cally established to the detriment of
the people.
From 100000 to 100000 whites, by
permission of the Indian government,
have settled in the territory, but are
merely tenants by sufferance No gov.
eminent for the Indian Territory will be
satisfactory until congress shall provide
for the establishment of a single uni
form sy stem for the entire Indian Ter
ritory that shall place all it's inhabitants
In possession of the rights of American
citizens.
Speedy action in securing proper leg.
islation for the coming twelfth 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 enquiries from the
twelfth census, either by postponement
or transfer to bureaus already in exist
ence, is urged.
Concerning Alaska, Secretary Bliss
says existing conditions demand radi-
cal change in the laws relating thereto.
and he recommends that the public
land laws be extended to that district.
that additional land offices be created
and appropriations made to carry them
into effect; that the granting Of rights
of way for railroads, telegraph and tele-
phone lines and the construction of
roads and trails be specifically author
lied that provision be made for the in
corporation of municipalities, provid-
ing for the holding of elections, dehn-
ing qualifications for voting and giving
such powers as are used and exercised
by municipalities elsewhere that the
legal and political status of the native
population, which is in doubt, be de-
fined that citizenship be extended to
the Metlakahtla Indians who.emigrated
from British Columbia, and. under
authority of an act of congress, APP
proved March 3, 1891, now occupy An
nette island that complete territorial
government be authorized and estab-
lished, and that representation in con-
gress be granted.
Work on the Nicaragua canal is still
suspended and the company reports
liabilities consisting of the amounts
still due under the concessions to the
company, of $6.705, 900 of bonds and
not exceeding 500 cash liabilities out
standing unpaid ; assets, unused capital
stock 1918, 800 first mortgage bonds and
the 2,420 shares of capital stock, re-