The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-11-27
A REVIEW OF IT'S WORK.
Condition Of Affairs In the In
terror Department.
Secretary bliss Presents His Annual
Reconsideration List Growing-in-
dian Matters an Important
Issue-Needs of Alaska.

Issue-Needs of Alaska.
Washington, Nov 19.-Secretary OF the
Interior Bliss. IN his annual report. submits
estimates aggregating N56.5S2.is for APP
propriatlons by congress for the fiscal
year ending June 30. 1888.
rensIon Claims.
Discussing pensions. he says 100000 PEN
sion claims are awaiting adjudication. and II
:, estimated that 40 or 80 per cent OF these
will be finally admitted. IL they are rapid
~ adJudicated. they Will swell the pension
roll from 5000, 900 10 100000 When, how
ever, these claims are adJudicated the nrst
payments made thereon. the amount OF the
pension roll VIII decrease very rapidly, pos
sibly 10 ,l25. O0.000 or NS0.0O0.OO0 the nrst
year.
The total Indian population OF the United
States, exclusive OF the New York Indians
and the FIVE civilized tribes. approximates
lT.i7s. located on III reservations, which
contain approximately 33,4Oi.s37 acres or
these 4,545 have accepted allotments OF land
which aggregate about 644.lT acres.
Secretary Bliss says while the opening OF
the Wichita reservation. In Oklahoma, 10
white settlement would greatly promote
the development OF that country, yet, In
view OF the unsettled condition OF the ques-
lions affecting their rights until there Is
further legislation. he does not see how II
can be done without causing great injury
and distress To guard against this, rec
ommendatlon is made that the Dawes COM
mission be authorized to investigate ques-
lions as TO their rights and claims, and re-
port recommendations for speedy and just
settlement.
The Dawes Commission.
Referring TO the work OF the Dawes COM
mission, Il is announced that the investga-
ton OF the rights OF applicants for citizen
mh N IA a hrgn
completed. the commission has been pre-
pairing the rolls OF citizenship OF the sew
eral tribes. and has negotiated three agree
ments. That, with both the Choctaws and
Chickasaws OF April %. 1897. Is before con-
gress, and has been ratified by those tribes.
That made with the Creeks September q last
was rejected almost unanimously by the
Greek council. and there Is little prospect OF
any further agreement with them. The
Cherokees have refused 10 make agree
ment. and negotiations with them have
been abandoned for the time being. Such
agreements as have been concluded, vary
no In their provisions, that In view Of the
fact that eventually a uniform system OF
government must be provided for the In
dian territory, Il Is questionable, the re-
port says, whether any Of the agreements
should be definitely ratified by congress
until the desired and necessary uniformity
can be secured.
Agreements Violated.
The secretary says the Ave tribes have I'M
doubtedly violated In many ways the spirit
OF their agreements with the United States
under which the territory Is now held and
governed, and while he does not recon-
mend any harsh government action. the
secretary calls the attention OF the presi-
dent and congress TO the chaotic condition
ofaffars OF the territory, growing out OF the
several tribes methods OF administration.
Leading Indians have absorbed great tracts
20 Of
government by an Indian aristocracy has
been practically established 20 the detr-
ment OF the people. From 900 TO $50 900
whites, by permission OF the Indian govern
ment have settled In the territory, but are
merely tenants by sufferance. No govern
ment for the Indian territory will be sat
fsfactory until congress shall provide for
the establishment OF a single uniform sys-
TEN for the entire Indian territory that
shall place all its inhabitants In possession
OF the rights OF American citizens
work OF the Patent once.
In the report on the bureau Of patents
the secretary says;
The report shows there were received
within the year 1854 applications for
patents, 2.0SS applications for designs. 50
applications for reissues 2.iS7 caveats.
i sG4 applications for trademarks, and 81
applications for labels and prints. There
were 1884 patents granted, including re-
issues and designs; LOO trademarks. three
labels and 80 prints registered The mum
Der OF patents which expired was 1854.
The number Of allowed applications which
were by operation Of law forfeited for non
payment OF final fees was 5.04
The total receipts were 81 .343, 1914; the
expenditures, approximately, were Si,O2G,-
HiS9 leaving surplus OF x3l7, 1906. The
moneys covered into the treasury on ac-
count OF receipts from fees, etc, In patent
cases from July 4, 1896, up TO and including
June 80. 1897, and Ia excess OF the cost OF the
management Of the patent office, amounts
10 15.09S.6l423
Alaska.
Concerning Alaska, Secretary Bliss says
existing conditions demand radical
change In the laws relating thereto. and he
recommends that the public land laws be ex-
tended TO that district. that additional land
offices be created and appropriations made
20 carry them into effect. that the granting
OF rights OF way for railroads. telegraph
and telephone lines and the construction OF
roads aud trails be specifically authorlzod
that provision be made for the incorpora-
tion OF municipalities, providing for the
holding or elections. defining qualifications
for voting, and giving such powers as are
used and exercised By municipalities else
where that the legal and political status
OF the native population which Is In doubt.
be defined, that citizenship be extended TO
the Metlakahtla Indians. who emigrated
from British Columbia and, under author
tty OF an act OF congress approved March
3. 1891. now occupy Annette island: that
complete territorial government be author
tied and established. and that representa-
tion In congress be granted
Nicarngunn Canal.
Work on the Nicaragua canal Is stu sus-
pended, and the company reports Liabilities
consisting OF the amounts stil due under
the concessions TO the company OF S. 705,-
900 OF bonds. and not exceeding 500 cash la
billtics outstanding unpaid assets. unused
capital stock, t5lS,500 first mortgage bonds
and the 2420 shares OF capital stock
received I'm liquidation. the conces.
BionA. rights. privileges, franchises,
etc, which Il now owns. plant, equipments.
lands, railway supplies and other property
In Central America, including the lands be-
tween the lake and the Pacific.
some Recommendations.
ACCOMMODATIONS are suhmItted FOR sep