The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-12-05

particularly dangerous kind. and have
no one 10 speak FOR them.
THE INDIANS.
During tho year past. the phase OF
the Indian question which has been most
| sharply brought 10 public attention is
the larger legal sgnincance Of the In
dams induction into citizenship. This has
| made itself manifest not only I'm a great
access OF litigation IA which the citizen
| Indian figures 2 party defendant and
| in more widespread disposition 10 levy
/ local taxation upon his personally but
I'm a decision Of the United states supreme
| court which struck away the main prop
on which has hitherto rested tho govern
ment's benevolent effort 10 protect him
against the evils of iutcmperance.
| The court holds. I'm effect. that when an
indian becomes. by virtue OF an allot-
ment of land to him. citizen OF the state
in which his land is situated. no passes
from under federal control m such mat
ters as this. and the acts of the congress
prohibiting the sale or gift 10 him OF
| intoxicants becom" substantially in
operative IL Is gratifying 10 note that
the states and municipalities OF the west
which have most at stake IN tho welfare
OF the Indians arc taking up this subject
and are trying 10 supply I'm a measure
at least. tho abdicati0n OF its trusteeship
forced upon the federal government.
Nevertheless, I would urgently press upon
the attention Of the congress the question
whether some amendment of the internal
revenue laws might not DC or ala IN prose-
cutting -ffta4efset-.z-G- -kRewH-in-t the
Indian country as "bootleggers. who are
engaged at once i'm defrauding the United
States treasury ~ taxes & I'd. what is
far more important ~ debauching the
Indians hy carrying liquors illicity into
territory still completely under federal
jurisdiction.
Among The CRYING present needs OF the
Indians are more day schools situated in
the midst 81 their settlements more ef-
fective instruction I'M the industries pur-
sued on their own farms. and a more
liberal extension OF the neld matron SER
vice. which means tho education OF the
Indian women i'm the HT;s Of home MAX
ing. Gntil the mothers are well started
in the right direction We can not reason
ably expect much from the children who
are soon to form an integral part OF our
American citizenship Moreover. tho ex-
cuse continually advanced by male adult
Indians for refusing offers OF remunera-
tive employment al distance from their
homes Is that they dare not leave their
families too long out or their sight. One
erfectual remedy for this state Of things
is TO employ the minds and strengthen
the moral fiber OF the Indian women-the
end to which ths. work Of the field matron
Is especially directed I trust that the
congress will make it's appropriations for
Indian day schools and field matrons
generous as may consist with the other
pressing demands upon it's providence
PHILIPPINE INTERESTS.
During the last year the Philippine
islands have been slowly recovering from
the series Of disasters which. since Amer
lean occupations. have greatly reduced
the amount Of agricultural products below
what was produced i'm cpansh times The
war. tho rindcrpcst. the locusts, the
drought, and The ch01e5a uEvp trrrr tft1tt2ti
as causes 10 prevent a return OF the
prosperity much needed I'm tho islands. Z ne
most serious IL the destruction by the
rluderpcst Of more than IS per cent. Of
the draft cattle because il will take
several years OF breeding TO restore the
necessary number OF these indispensable
aids TO agriculture The commission at
tempted to supply by purchase from ad-
joining countries The needed cattle, but
the experiments made were unsuccessful.
Most OF the cattle imported were unable
10 Withstand the change or climate and
the rigors OF the voyage and died from
other diseases than rinderpest.
The income OF the Philippine govern
ment has necessarily been reduced by rea-
son OF tho business and agricultural de-
preston I'm the islands and the govern
ment has been obliged 70 exercise great
| economy 10 cut down It's expenses, TO re-
duce salaries. and in every way 10 avoid
! a deficit. II mrs a1uptca a internal
revenue law. imposing taxes on cigars,
]
ishlng the old Spanish Industrial taxes.
| The law has not operated smoothly
as was hoped and although It's principle
Is undoubtedly correct, IL may need
amendments for the purpose Of reconcil-
ing the people 10 its provisions. The In
come derived from it has partly made up
for the reduction in customs revenue.
There has been a marked increase in the
number OF Fihpinos employed IN the civil
service. and a corresponding decrease I'm
the number OF Americans. The govern
ment I'm every one Of its departments has
been rendered more efficient by elmina-
ton Of undesirable material and the pro-
motion OF deserving public servants
IMPROVEMENTS CONTINUE.
Improvements Of harbors roads and
bridges continue. although the cutting
down of the revenue forbids the cxpendi-
ture OF any great amount from current
income for these purposes. Steps are
being taken by advertisement for com
petitlve bids TO secure the construction
and maintenance OF 1000 miles OF railway
by private corporations under the recent
enabling 1egistHttuu of titt 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 a special
proceeding I'm the supreme court OF con
! troyersles over the possession and title
of church buildings and rectores aris-
ing between the Roman Cathowc church
and Schismatics claiming under ancient
municipalities Negotiations and hear
ings for the settlement OF the amount due
to the Roman Catholic church for rent
and occupation OF churches and rectories
by tho army Of the United states are I'm
progress. and Il IS hoped a satisfactory
I conclusion may be submitted to the con-
gross before the end OF the session.
Tranquility has existed during the past
year throughout the Archipelago. except
I'm the province OF Cavite. the province of
Batangas and tho province Of samar. and
in the island OF Jolo among the Moros
The Tolo disturbance was put to an end
nv several sharp aud short engage
, ments and now peace prevails IN the
! Nforo proyfucr Cavite. the mother ~