The Mena star., 1898-12-07
ADVISES LAWMAKERS.
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 in army pensions and repayments in the sum of si2, ,020 B, making q total of si4s 0S2. .S9270 available for the payment of pensions during the fiscal year 1898 The amount disbursed from that sum was $l44. 65l- S79 80, leaving balance of s3, 43l 0i2.99 unex- pended on the 3)th Of June. iS98. which was covered into the treasury. There were 3s9 names added to the rolls during the year by special nets passed at tho second session of the Fifty-ifth congress, making total of 64s6 pensioners by congressional enactment since lS8L
 Public Lands
 The public lands disposed of by the govern ment during the year reached g. 4jS s9t 02 acres, increase of 6l4 7s0.s s5 acres over the previous year. The total receipts from public lands during the fiscal year amounted to $2, 277 095. l8 an increase of SI90 9J over the preceding year The lands embraced in the II forest reservations which were suspended by the act of June f. fs97 again became subject to the operations of the procla- nations of February 2, 1897, creating them. which added an estimated amount of 19.9Sl. 36l acres to the urea embraced in the re- serves previously created In addition thereto two new reserves were created during the year -the Pine Mountain and Zaca Lake reserves in California, embracing 64i,59f acres and the Prescott reserve in Arizona embracing f0 249 acres, while the Pecos river in New Mexico has been changed and enlarged to include 12O, 900 additional acres.
 The Indians.
 The special attention of tho congress is called to that part of the report of the secretary of the interior in relation to the five civilized tribes It is noteworthy that the general con- dition of the Indians shows marked progress But one outbreak of serious character oc- cured during the year and that among the Chippewa Indians of Minnesota who happily have been suppressed While it has not yet been practicable to enforce all the provisions of the act of June 2s 1898. for the protection of the people of the Indian territory and for other purposes. " 1t is having salutary effect upon the nations composing the five tribes The Dawes commission reports that the most gratifying results and greater advance toward the attainment of the objects of the govern ment have been secured in the past year than in any previous year. l cannot too strongly in- dorse the recommendation of the commission and cs the secretary e the interior fer the necessity of providing for the education of the 30.000 white children resident in the Indian territory.
 The Department of Agriculture.
 The department of agriculture has been active in the past year Explorers have been sent to many of the countries of the eastern and western hemispheres for seeds and plants that may be useful to the United States and with the further view of opening up markets for our surplus products. The forestry division of the department is giving special att tention to the treeless regions of our country and is introducing species specially adapted to seri-arid regions
 Anniversary of Founding of Washington.
 Tn the year 1900 will occur the centennial an- niversary of the founding of the city of Wash tngton for the permanent capital of the govern ment of the United States by authority of an act of congress approved July Is. i790 In May, 1900 the archives and general offices of the fed- eral government were removed to this place.
 movement lately inaugurated by the citi- zens to have the anniversary celebrated with fitting ceremonies, including perhaps the es- tablishment of Q handsome permanent me- morial to mark so historical an occasion and to give 1t more than local recognition. has met with general favor an the part ef the public
 recommend to congress the granting of an appropriation for this purpose and the ap- pointment of committee from it's respective bodies. It might also be advisable to author ize the president to appoint committee from the country at large. which, acting with the congressional and District of Columbia com mittee, can complete the plans for an appro- priate national celebration
 (signed) WILLIAM M'KINLEY Executive Mansion, December 5. 1898