The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-12-05

south and east to take IN such portions or the
abuttlng forest reservation as will enable the
government TO protect the elk on their winter
range.
The most characteristic animal Of the west
ern plains was the great shaggy -mahed wild
OK, the bison commonly known buffalo. Small
fragments OF herds exist in q doniesticated state
here and there. few OF them In the Yellow
stone park Such herd as that on the FLAT
head reservation should not be allowed 10 20
out Of existence. Either reservation
or forest reserve like the wichita
reserve and game refuge provision should be
made for the preservation OF such herd. I
believe that the scheme would be OF economic
advantage, for the robe Of the buffalo is Of high
market value, and the same Is true Of the robe
OF the crossbred animals.
Llfe-savlng Service.
call your especial attention to the desir-
ability OF giving to the members OF the Life
Saving service pensions such as are given to
hremen and policemen in all our great cities.
The In the Life-Savlng service continually
and In the most matter Of fact way do deeds
such as make Americans proud OF their coun-
try. They have no political influence; and they
live In such remote places that the really heroic
services they continually render receive the
scantiest recognition from the public. II is
unjust for a great nation like this to permit
these men to become totally disabled or to
meet death in the performance OF their haz-
ardous duty and yet to give them no sort Of
reward. II one of them serves thirty years OF
bis life In such position he should surely be
entitled to retire half pay, as a fireman or
policeman does, and II he becomes totally In
capacitated through accident or sickness or
loses his health In the discharge Of his duty
he or his family should receive pension just
any soldier should. | call your attention
with especial earnestness TO this matter because
II appeals not only TO our Judgment but TO
our sympathy; for the people on whose behalf
/ ask It comparatively few In number, rem
der incalcuable service OF a particularly dan
gerous kind, and have no one to speak for
them.
indians.
During the year just past, the phase OF the
indian question which has been most sharply
brought to public attention is the larger legal
significance OF the Indians Induction into citi-
zenshp. This has made itself manifest not only
In great access Of litigation In which the citi-
zen Indian figures u party defendant and in
a more widespread disposition TO levy local tax
alton upon his personally, but in decision Of
the United States Supreme court, which struck
away the main prop which has hitherto rested
the governments benevolent effort to protect
him against the evils of intemperance. The
court holds, in effect that when indian be-
comes. by virtue Of an allotment of land to
him, citizen Of the state In which his land
is situated he passes from under federal con-
troll In such matters as this, and the acts Of
the Congress prohibiting the sale or gift to him
OF int0xicants become substantially imperative.
II Is gratifying 10 note that the states and
municipalities OF the West which have most at
stake In ths welfare OF the Indians taking
up this subject and are trying to supply, IN
ship forced upon the Federal government. New
ertheless, would urgently press upon the at
tention OF the Congress the question whether
some amendment Of the internal l-revenue laws
might not be of aid IN prosecuting those male
factors. known In the Indian country as boot
leggers." who are engaged at once in defraud-
ing the United States treasury OF taxes and,
what Is far more important, in debauching the
Indians by carrying liquors illicitly into terri
tory stlll completely under federal Jurisdiction.
Among the crying present needs OF the In
dians are more day schools situated in the midst
OF their settlements, more effective instruction
in the Industries pursued their own farms.
and a more liberal extension Of the feld-matron
service, which means the education OF the In
dian women In the arts of home making. Until
the mothers well started In the right d.
rection we can not reasonably expect much
from the children who to form
integral part OF our American citizenship.
Moreover, the excuse continually advanced by
male adult Indians for refusing offers OF
muneratlve employment at distance from their
homes Is that they dare not leave their fami-
lies too long out OF their sight. One eifectual
remedy for this state OF things is to employ
the minds and strengthen the moral fiber Of the
Indian women-the end to which the work of
the field matron is especially directed. / trust
that the Congress win make Its appropriations
for Indian day schools and field matrons as
generous hs may consist with the other press
ing demands upon its providence.
The Philippines.
During the last year the Philippine islands
have been slowly recovering from the series Of
disasters which, since American occupation.
have greatly reduced the amount OF agricultural
products below what produced in Spanish
times The war the rinderpest. the locusts.
the drought. and the cholera have been united
to prevent return OF the prosperity
much needed In the islands. The most serious
is the destruction by the rlnderpest OF more
than rs per cent OF the draft cattle, because
1t will take several years of breeding to
store the necessary number Of these indispensa-
BILE aids TO agriculture. The comllissior at
tempted to supply by purchase from adjoining
countries the needed cattle but the experiments
made were unsuccessful Most OF the cattle i'm
ported were unable to withstand the change of
climate and the rigors Of the voyage and died
from other diseases than rinderpest.
The income OF the Philippine government has
necessarily been reduced by reason of the husi-
ness and agricultural depression in the islands,
and the government has been obliged to exer-
else great economy TO cut down Its expenses,
to reduce salaries and in every way to avoid
dehcit. 1t has adopted an internalrevenue
law, imposing taxes on cigars, cigarettes, and
distilled liquors, aud abolishing the old Spanish
Industrial taxes. The law has not operated
smoothly hoped, and although its prin-
clple ls undoubtedly correct, 1t may need
amendments for the purpose OF recOnciling the
people to Its provisions. The Income derived
from It has partly made up for the reduction
in customs revenue.
There has been n marked increase In the
number Of Filipinos employed in the civil SER
vice, and a corresponding decrease in the
one Of Its departments has been rendered more
efficient BY elimination OF undesirable material
and the promotion OF deserving public servants.
improvements OF harbo-s. roads, and bridges
continue. although the cutting down Of the rev
enue forblds the expenditure OF any great
amount from current income for these pur-
poses Steps are being taken by sdEertise-
ment for competitive bids, to secure the
struction and maintenance OF 900 miles Of
railway by private corpora tions under the re-
cent enabling legislation OF the Congress. The
transfer OF the friar lands In accordance with
the contract made some two years ago has been
completely effected, and the purchase money
paid. Provision has just been made by statute
for the speedy settlement In special procead-
ing In the Supreme court Of controversies over
the possession and title OF church buildings and
rectories arising between the Roman Catholic
church and schismaties claiming under ancient
municipalities Negotiations and hearings for
the settlement Of the amount due to the Roman
Catholic church for rent and occupation OF
churches and rectories by the army Of the
United States are in progress. and It is hoped
satisfactory conclusion may be submitted to
the Congress before the end OF the session.
Tranquility has existed during the past year
throughout the Archipelago, except In the prov
the province Of Samar, and In the island Of
Jolo among the Moros. The JolO disturbance
was put end to by several sharp and short
engagements, and now peace prevails In the
Moro province. Cavite. the mother OF ladroncs
In the Spanish times is permeated with the
traditional sympathy Of the people for ladron-
ism as to make It dlfheut to stamp out the
disease. Batangas was only disturbed BY fea-
son OF the fugitive ladrones from Cavite Sa-
mar was thrown into disturbance by the un-
educated and party savage peoples living IN
the mountains who. having been given by the
to exercise discreetly, elected municipal Ofi-
GERS who abused their trusts, compelled the