Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-12-05

him of fntoxicants become substan. tially imperative. It is gratifying to note that the states and municipalities of the west which have most at stake in the welfare of the Indians are talk. ing up this subject and are trying to supply, in measure at least, the ab- dication of its trusteeship forced upon the federal government Nevertheless, would urgently press upon the at. l tention of the congress the question whether some amendment of the in- ternal revenue laws might not be of aid in prosecuting those malefactors. known in the Indian country as @boot- leggers," who are engaged at once in defrauding the United States treasury of taxes and, what is far more impor- tant, in debauching the Indians by car rying liquors illicitly into territory still completely under federal jurisdic ton.
 Among the crying present needs of the Indians are more day schools situ 1 ated in the midst of their settlements more effective instruction in the in
 
 and a more liberal extension of ths field matron service, which means the education of the Indian women in the l arts of home making Until the moth CTS are we'll started in the right direc- ton we cannot reasonably expect much from the children who are soon to form an integral part of our Amer ican citizenship. Moreover, the excuse continually advanced by male adult Indians for refusing offers of remuner- 1 ative employment at a distance from ! their homes is that they dare not leave their families too long out of their l sight One effectual remedy for this state of things is to employ the minds and strengthen the moral fiber of the l Indian women-the end to which the i work of the field matron is especially directed. trust that the congress will make it's appropriations for Indian day l schools and field matrons as generous as may consist with the other pressing demands upon its providence.
 The Philippines.
 z luc idbL year Islands have been slowly recovering l from the series of disasters which since American occupation have great | ly reduced the amount of agricultural products below what was produced in l Spanish times. The war, the rinder- pest, the locusts. the drought and the [ cholera have been united as causes 10 i prevent return of the prosperity much i needed in the islands. The most seri- ' ous is the destruction by the rinder- 1 pest of more than 75 per cent of the draft cattle, because 1t will take sev- { eral years of breeding to restore the | necessary number of these indispen- ' sable aids to agriculture. The commis- i sion attempted to supply by purchase | from adjoining countries the needed cattle, but the experiments made were unsuccessful. Most of the cattle inn ported were unable to withstand the change of climate and the rigors of the than rinderpest.
 < The income of the Philippine govern. i ment has necessarily been reduced by | reason of the business and agricultural ' depression in the islands. and the gov. ernment has been obliged to exercise great economy to cut down it's ex- { penses, to reduce salaries and in every way to avoid deficit. It has adopted an internal revenue law imposing taxes on cigars, cigarettes and distilled liq uors and abolishing the old Spanish in dustrial taxes. The law has not operat. ed as smoothly as was hoped. and. al. though its principle is undoubtedly cor rect, 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 a marked increase in the number of Filipinos employed in the civil service and corresponding decrease in the number of Americans. The government in every one of its de- partments has been rendered more ef- icient by elimination of undesirable material and the promotion of desery. ing public servants.
 Improvements of harbors. roads and bridges continue. although the cutting down of the revenue forbids the ex- penditure of any great amount from current income for these purposes. Steps are being taken by advertise ment for competitive bids to secure the construction and maintenance of 1,oO0 miles of railway by private cor porations under the recent enabling legislation of the congress The trans fer 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 settlemen: in a special proceed. ing in the supreme court of cOntrover. sies over the possession and title ot church buildings and rectories arising between the Roman Catholic church and schismatics claiming under anaient municipalities. Negofiatieas and hear ings for the settlement Of the amount due to the Roman Catholic church for rent and occupation of churches and reetories by the army of the United States are in progress. and 1t Is hoped a satisfactory conclusion may be sub mitted to the congress before the end of the session.
 Tranquility has existed during the past year throughout the archipelago sz an.