The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-12-06
INDIAN MATTERS.


The special attention of the Congress
is called to that part of the report of
the Secretary of the Interior in relation
to the five civilized tribes. 1t is note
worthy that the general condition of the
Indians shows marked progress. But one
outbreak of serious character occurred
during the year and that among the
Chippewa Indians of Minnesota, which
happily has been suppressed.
While it has not yet been practicable
to enforce all the provisions of the act
of June 2Sth, 1898, for the protection
of the people of the Indian Territory
and for other purposes" it is having q
salutary effect upon the nations compos-
ing the five tribes. The Dawes commits
sion reports that the most gratifying re-
suits and greater advance toward the at
tainment of the objects of the Govern
ment have been secured in the past yeaI
than in any previous year. / cannot too
strongly indorse the recommendation of
the commission and of the Secretary of
the Interior for the necessity for
providing for the education Of the 10000
white children resident in the Indian Ter
ritory.
AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.
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 Il emispher1 IS
for seeds and plants that may be useful
to the United States and with the fur
Their view of opening up markets for our
surplus products. The forestry division
of the Department is giving special at
tention to the treeless regions of our
country and is introducing species spe-
cially adapted to semi-arid regions. For
est fires which seriously interfere with
production, especially n irri ,ated regions,
are being studied that losses from this
cause may be- avoided. The Department
is inquiring into the use and abuse of
water in many States of the West and
collating 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 secur-
ed. Experiment stations are becoming
more effective every year. The annual
appropriation of $4,000 by Congress is
supplemented by over 100000 from the
States. Nationwide experiments have
been conducted to ascertain the suitable
ness as to soil and climate and States for
growing sugar beets. The number of
sugar factories has been doubled in the
past two years and the ability of the
United States to poduce its own sugar
from this source has been clearly demon
strated.
WEATHER BUREAU.
The weather forecasts and observation
stations have been extended around the
Caribbean Sea, to give early warning of
the approach Of hurricanes from the
south seas to our fleets and merchant
marines.
NATIONAL CAPITAL ANNIVER-
SARY.
In the year 1900 will occur the centen-
NAL anniversary of the founding of the
city of Washington for the permanent
capital of the Government of the United
States by authority of an act of Congress
approved July 10th, 1890. In May, 1900,
the archives and general offices of the
Federal Government were removed to
this place. On the 18th of November,
1900, the national Congress met here for
the first time and assumed exclusive con-
troll of the Federal district and country.
This interesting event assumes all the
more significance when we recall the cir.
cumstances attending the choosing of the
site, the naming of the capital in honor
of the father of his country, and the in
terest taken by him in the adoption of
plans for its future development ON "A
magnificent scale.
These original plans have beer
wrought out with constant progress
and signal success even beyond any
thing their trainers could have forseen
The people of the country are just,
proud of the distinctive beauty anC
government of the capital, and of th'
rare instruments of science and educa
ton which here find their natural home
A movement lately inaugurated by thu
citizens to have the anniversary cele
brated with fitting ceremonies, including
perhaps the establishment of handsome
permanent memorial to mark SO histori
10 fysxy, fha,