Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-12-09

having Salutary enect upon the natlOns CONS
posing the 1--WE tribes. The Dawes commission
reports that the most gratifying results and
greater advance toward the attainment OF the
objects Of the governments have been secured
in the last year than ~ any previous year {
cannot too strongly indorse the Recommendation
OF the commission and of the secretary of the
interior for tho necessity of providing for the
education OF the 10000 white children resident
IN the Indian Territory.
Work of the Department Of Agriculture
'"rhe department Of agriculture has been ac-
tive In the last year. Explorers have been sent
to many Of the countries Of the eastern and
western hemispheres for seeds and plants thao
may be useful to the United States and With
the further view of opening up markets Tor
our surplus products. The forestry division OF
the department is giving special attention to-
the treeless regions of our country and IL III.
Producing species specially adapted to seml-arid
regions. Forest fires, which seriously interfere
with production. especially IN irrigated regions.
are being studied, that the losses from this
cause may he avoided. The department is In
qurlng into the use and abuse Of water In many
states OF the west anu collecting Information
regarding the laws of the states, the decisions
Of the courts and the customs Of the people
in this regard, SO that uniformity may be se-
cured. Experiment stations are becoming more
effective every year. The annual approximation
of $72O, 900 by congress Is supplemented by
$4,000 sfrom the states Nationwide expert
ments have been conducted to ascertain the suit
abeness us to soil and climate and states for
growing SUSur ueetS lHe nuulDef VI sugar luz
tories has been doubled In the last two years
and the ability Of the United States to produce
its own sugar from this source has been clearly
demonstrated. The weatheS bureau forecast and
the Caribbean Sea to give early warning Of the
approach of hurricanes from the south seas to
our tlcets and merchant marine. "Gss
Government Lands Disposed or. .,
1.-The public lands disposed of by the govern
mcnt during the year reached S,433,S96.92 acres,
increase of G14, 7sO.2G acres over the previous
year. The total receipts from public lands dur
Ing the fiscal year amounted to $2,277. 995. 10.
All increase Of 500, 90 over the preceding
year. The lands embraced In the eleven forest
reservations which were suspended by the act
Of June 4. 1897, again became subject to the
operations of the proclamatons of Feb %, 1897.
creating them. which added an estimated
amount of $l0.951 $50 acres to the area embrac-
ed In the reserves previously created In adj
dtion thereto two new reserves were created
during the year-the Pine Mountain and Zaca
Lake reserve In California. embracing 1.04A.504
acres, and the Prescott reserve in Arizona, EN-
braclns O,24O acres: while the Pecos River re-
serve in New Mexico has been changed and
enlarged to include 100. 600 additional acres. At
the close Of the year thirty forest reservations.
not including those Of the Afognac forest and
the fish culture in Alaska. had been
created by executive proelamations. under Sec
ton "a Of the act OF March 3. 1891. embracing
an estimated area OF 10. 719,474 acres. The de-
partment OF the interior has inaugurated
July, 1895. for graded force Of officers IN con-
troll Of the reserves. This system has only
been In full operation since August. but good
results have already been secured In many
tions. The reports received indicate that the
system of patrol has not only prevented destrlc-
tive fires from gaining Roadway, but has dimiD-
ished the number Of fires. The special atten-
ton Of the congress is called to that part Of
the report of the secretary Of the interior In re-
lation to the five civilized tribes. 1t is note
worthy that the general condition of the In
dams shows marked progress. But one out
break of a serious character occurred during
the year, and that among the Chippewa Indians
of minnesota, which happily has been sup
pressed. - f
Centennial Anniversary OF Vashington
''In the year 1900 will occur the centennial
anniversary Of the founding Of the City of Wash.
ington fer the permanent capital of the gov
eminent Of the United States by authority of an
act Of congress approved July IS, 1890. In May,
1900, the archives and general. Offices OF the
federal government We're removed to this place.
On the 18th of November. 1900, the national
congress met here for the first time and
trict and city. This interesting. event u.s.
sunes all the more significance when we recall
the circumstances attending the choosing Of the
site, the naming of the capital in honor Of
the father of his country and the interest taken
by him in the adoption Of plans for its future
development on a magnificent SCALE. These
original plans nave bcen wrought out with
Il constant progress and signal success even
beyond anything their trainers could have fore
seen. The people Of the country are justly
proud Of the distinctive beauty and government
of the capital and OF tie rdre instruments Of
science and education which here find their
natural home. A movement lately inansurateds
By the citizens to- have the anniyersnry cells
bratel with fitting ceremonies, including, per.
4 haps, the establishment Of q handsome perss
5manent memorial to- mark %, historlcai an 0c.
scasion and to give It more than local recogni.
tion has met with general favor on the part
OF the public. recommend to the congress
the granting Of an appropriat ton for this pur-
pose and the appointment of a committee from,
its respective bodies 1t might also be advisable
to authorize the president to appoint com.
mittee from the country at large. which, acting
with the congressional and District Of Colum-
bia committees. can complete the plans, for an
appropriate national celebration. The alien con-
tract law Is, shown by experience to need some
amendment; a measure providing better protec-
ton for seamen is proposed; the rightfu appli-
cation Of the eight-hour law for the benefit Of
labor and Of the principle of arbitration
suggested for consideration, and 1 commend
these subjects to tho careful attention Of the
congress. The several departmental reports will;
be laid before you. They give in great detail
the conduct OF the affairs Of the government
during the Inst year and discuss many questions
rIon which the, congress may be called upon to.
act. WILLIAM NJ klNEEG.
Executive Mansion, Dec. 8. 1885, ..