The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-11-19
BLISS PUTS IN A BIG BILL.
SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR
WANTS $I50,032,419.

Their LaRds-EarIy Legislation
Providing For the Twelfth Census
RecOmmended-Chang in the
Laws Relating to Alaska Urged.
Assets and Liabilities of the Me
aragua Canal Company.
Washington, Nov. 1S.--Secretary of the
Interior Bliss, in his annual report, made
public tonight, submits estimates aggre-
eating $156, 5S2, 419 for appropria lions by
congress for the fiscal year ending June
80. 1899.
Discussing pensions he says 200 900 pen
sion claims are awaiting adjudica ton, and
1t is estimated that 40 or 50 per cent, of
these will be finally admitted If they are
rapidly adjudioated they will swell the
pension roll from 100000 to $7,OOO,OOO
When however, these claims are adjudi-
Gated and first payments made thereon
the amount of the pension roll will de-
crease very rapidly, possibly to $125 900 900
or $13OOOOOOO the first year.
The total Indian population of the Uni
tea States. exclusive of the New York In
dams and the five civilized tribes, approx
mates 17,17S located on III reservations,
acres. OF these, ASS have accepted allot-
ments of land, which aggregate about 644-
10 acres. Secretary Bliss says, while the
opening of the Wchihachta reservation in
Oklahoma to white settlement would
greatly promote the development of that
country yet, in view of the unsettled con-
dition of the questions affecting their
rights, until there is further legislation,
he does not see how it can be done with
out causing great injury and distress To
guard against this recommendation is
made that the Dawes commission be au-
thorized to investigate questions as to
their rights and claims and report recon-
mendations for speedy adjustment
Referring to the work of the Dawes
commission, it is announced that the in
Vestigation 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 These say the Five tribes
have undoubtedly violated in many ways
the spirit of their agreements with the
United States and the territory is now
held as government property, and willis
he does not recommend any harsh action
in his report to the secretary, calls the
attention of the President and congress
to the chaotic condition of the affairs of
the territory, growing out of the several
tribal methods of administration. From
10000 to $4,000 whites, by permission of
the Indian government have settled in the
territory, bus merely as tenants by suffer-
ance. No government for the Indian ter
ritory will be satisfactorily until congress
shall provide for the establishment of a
single uniform system for the entire In
dian territory that shall place all it's in
habitants in possession of the rights of
American citizens
Recommendation Is made that the period
Tor the allotment of lands to the Uncom-
pahgre Indians be extended such time be-
yond April l, 1898, as congress shall deem
best. If the sales of the Colorado lands
cannot Immediately yield sufficient for re-
endorsement of the Unintahs the govern
ment Is urged to advance the necessary
sum required with the sale of the lands
for its own reimbursement The sum of
$1,2l6,8S6 is now in the treasury to the credit
of the Utes' fund, resulting from the sale
of the Colorado lands. In addition, there
must yet be realized from the sales over
S5OC,0C9 to reimburse the government the
expenses, etc, of the removal and the
Sl,250CC0 set aside from the public moneys
as a trust fund.
Such legislation as will enable the people
of the United States to reap the benefit
of the valuable and useful mineral depos-
its is recommended
Speedy action in securing proper legisla-
tlon for the coming twelfth census is urg-
ed. Lack of sufficient time in the mast
two, or three enumerations is complained
of, and the necessity of many reforms in
the way of lessening the bulk of reports
and the elimination of several branches of
inquiries from the twelfth census by post
ponement or transfer to bureaus already
in existence is urged.
bafo
the field season the geological survey will
have gathered sufficient data as to the set
ted areas of the reserves embraced in
the executive orders to enable the depart
ment TO form an opinion as to the popu-
lation and improvements included within
the reserves, and the distribution of the
forces of the agricultural lands
Concerning Alaska, Secretary Bliss says
existing conditions demand a radical
change in the laws relating thereto, and
lie 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 railroad,
telegraph and telephone lines and the con-
slruction of roads and trails be specifically
authorized; that provision be made for
the Incorporation of municipalities provid-
ing for the holding of elections, defining
qualifications for voting, and giving such
powers as are used and exercised by mu-
inequalities elsewhere; that the legal and
political status of the native population,
which is in doubt, be defined; that citi-
4enship be extended to the Metakahtla
Indians, who emigrated from British Co.
Iumbia, and under authority of an acl
OF congress, approved March 8, 1891, now
occupy Annette Island; that complete ter
rtorial government be authorized and es-
'aniished and that representation in con-
gress be granted.
Report on the Nicarauga canal is still
suspended and the company reports that
the Liabilities consist of the amount still
oue under the concessions to the company,
o. the $6,705,00O of bonds, and not exceeding
@plo~ Of cash liabilities outstanding un-
paid; and that the assets of the company
consist of its unused capital stock, $51S 500 |
HrSt mortgage bonds, and the APO shares
VI capital stock received in liquidation, the
'oncessioE1s, rights and privileges, fran
Nl'ses, etc, which it now owns, and of the
p,ant equipments lands, railways, sup
iI'es and other property in Central Amer
e', including the land between the lake
ana the Pacific
lamentations are submitted for sep