Report of the Secretary of the Interior/1873
REPORT
OF
THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.
Washington, D. C., October 31, 1873.
Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of this Department during the past year, together with such suggestions as my experience has convinced me will promote the efficiency of the Public service:
INDIANS.
The situation in the Indian service may be regarded as favorable and as a vindication of the propriety and practicability of the humane policy which was inaugurated at the beginning of your first presidential term, and which has governed the Department in the transaction of all business matters pertaining to the conduct of Indian affairs. That policy has for its main object and aim the restraint and elevation of the wild tribes of the frontier through firm but kind treatment. That progress has been made in the establishment of that policy, and in an improvement of the condition of Indians reached by it, is shown by the increased interest in educational matters, a growing willingness on the part of the Indians to engage in industrial pursuits, a desire for the division of lands, and an increase of stock and farm products.
THE INDIAN POLICY.
In preliminary to the annual exhibit of the affairs of the Indian service, so far as the control of the Department is concerned, and especially in view of certain occurrences of the past year in that service, and the very general discussion of the character and scope of the Indian policy, I deem it proper to indicate at this time more in detail what that policy was originally intended to accomplish, and the appliances through which it was sought to work.
The so-called peace policy sought, first, to place the Indians upon reservations as rapidly as possible, Where they could be provided for in such manner as the dictates of humanity and Christian civilization require. Being thus placed upon reservations, they will be removed from such contiguity to our frontier settlements as otherwise will lead, necessarily, to frequent outrages, wrongs, and disturbances of public peace. On these reservations they can be taught, as fast as possible, the arts of agriculture, and such pursuits as are incident to civilization, through the aid of the Christian organizations of the country now engaged in this work, co-operating with the Federal Government. Their intellectual, moral, and religious culture can be prosecuted, and thus it is hoped that humanity and kindness may take the place of barbarity and cruelty. Second; whenever it is found that any tribe or band of Indians persistently refuse to go upon a reservation and determine to continue their nomadic habits, accompanied with depredations and outrages upon our frontier settlements, then the policy contemplates the treatment of such tribe or band with all needed severity, to punish them for their outrages according to their merits, thereby teaching them that it is better to follow the advice of the Government, live upon reservations and become civilized, than to continue their native, habits and practices. Third, it is the determination of this policy to see that all supplies of every kind, whether of food or clothing, purchased for distribution to Indians, upon reservations and remaining at peace with the Government, are procured at fair and reasonable prices, so that the Indian meriting such supplies may receive the same without being the funds of the Government squandered in their purchase. Fourth; it is the purpose of the Government, as fast as possible, through the instrumentality and by the advice and assistance of the various religious organizations, and by all other means within its power, to procure competent, upright, faithful, moral, and religious agents to care for the Indians that go upon reservations; to distribute the goods and provisions that are purchased for them by the benevolence of the Government; to aid in their intellectual, moral, and religious culture, and thus to assist in the great work of humanity and benevolence, which the policy aims to accomplish. Fifth; it is the further aim of the policy to establish schools, and, through the instrumentality of the Christian organizations acting in harmony with the Government, as fast as possible, to build churches and organize Sabbath-schools, whereby these savages may be taught a better way of life than they have heretofore pursued, and be made to understand and appreciate the comforts and benefits of a Christian civilization, and thus be prepared ultimately to assume the duties and privileges of citizenship. These are the aims and purposes of the peace policy, briefly stated, and must commend themselves to every right-minded citizen as in keeping with the duty of a powerful, and intelligent nation towards an ignorant and barbarous race providentially thrown upon it for control and support.
It was not, of course, to be expected that so radical a change in the management of widely-scattered bands of roving Indians, whose only restriction hitherto had been their own capricious inclinations, and who roamed at will oyer vast regions of country, could he effected without resistance on their part and a show of force on the part of the Government. Such a result was never anticipated, even by the most sanguine friends of the new policy, and the various impediments which have from time to time intercepted and obstructed the operations of the Indian Bureau have not, therefore, discouraged the reasonable hopes of final success which its active friends have always entertained. Satisfactory progress towards the accomplishment of the ends sought to be attained by this policy has already been made, fully justifying the hope that it will eventually achieve the end in view.
IMPEDIMENTS.
As the Department progresses in securing the adoption of this policy, the impediments are developed and modifications in details are suggested as necessary to give it greater efficiency and adaptability to the work in hand. Among these impediments is the practice, which has obtained for many years, of paying annuities to certain tribes, in money, in accordance with treaty stipulations, in lieu of goods and subsistence stores. It seems to he an unvarying result of such payments in money that the Indians are in worse condition in every respect than if they received payment in goods and supplies, and it appears in many cases that those receiving the most money are in the worst condition. Money seems to brutalize instead of civilizing, as they are ignorant of its value and unable to use it with any discretion. The result is, that in a short time after the receipt of the cash annuities they are often found in a state of great destitution. The recommendation of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs that such payments be hereafter made in goods and supplies, even if it be found necessary to modify the treaties to enable the change to be made, meets with my unqualified approval. In this connection I desire to refer particularly to certain moneys due to the Prairie band of Pottawatomies, as well as certain sums which are expected soon to be to the credit of the Kansas Indians, which, under existing treaty stipulations and laws, are required to be paid to said bands of Indians respectively. It is very desirable, in my opinion, that the sums here referred to should be held and regarded by the Government as funds for the civilization of these several bands of Indians; that it would be demoralizing, and therefore improper to pay said sums over to the Indians to be squandered.
I shall, therefore, present to the proper committees of each House of Congress, during the present session, bills providing that the sums of money here referred to he invested in Government bonds and placed to the credit of said Indians respectively, for the purpose of their civilization, to be used by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs for that object, both interest and principal, at such times and in such manner as the President of the United States may direct.
It is likewise detrimental to the substantial improvement of the race that they are compelled to hold their lands in common. Such community of interest operates as a premium upon indolence and unthrift, and places a discouraging burden upon those who are willing to work and who desire to acquire property. As fast as practicable, and whenever a disposition is manifested by an Indian to improve a separate tract of land and secure the comforts of a permanent home, a farm of suitable area should be set apart and secured to him for his exclusive occupancy and improvement, and he should be aided by donations of stock and farming implements, out of the annual appropriations for his tribe.
The first steps toward the permanent settlement of Indians in fixed homes is the establishment and rigid enforcement of regulations to keep them all upon reservations. This can only be done, at present, upon some of the reservations by a display of a sufficient military force near the reservation to punish all violations of such requirements. It is believed that many Indians who are subsisted by the Government persist in making foray upon white settlements and upon neighboring tribes, and then retreat to the refuge of their reservations where they can secure their spoils, and be fed and recuperated for fresh outrages. It will be found to be a measure of mercy to all if such Indians can be punished as they deserve.
INTERFERENCE WITH INDIANS ON RESERVATIONS
Serious complaints are made to the Department relative to the presence, upon Indian reservations, of white men, who go there solely for the purpose of hunting buffalo, which are thus destroyed in large numbers. While I would not seriously regret the total disappearance of the buffalo from our western prairies, in its effect on the Indians, regarding it rather as a means of hastening their sense of dependence upon the products of the soil and their own labors, yet these encroachments by the whites upon the reservations set apart for the exclusive occupancy of the Indian is one prolific source of trouble in the management of the reservation Indians, and measures should be adopted to prevent such trespasses in the future, or very serious collisions may be the result. The Government has a two-fold object in confining Indians to reservations: to prevent their encroachments upon white settlers, and to isolate them as far as possible from association with white people. This cannot be accomplished if whites are allowed to trespass at will upon reservations. These remarks apply with greatest force to the so-called Indian Territory south of Kansas.
ENLISTMENT OF INDIANS
The policy of enlisting friendly Indians as scouts and auxiliaries in punishing hostile tribes has obtained for some years in the Army, and Indians so serving have rendered valuable service, and received honorable mention in the reports of military officers, and have even been recommended as worthy of receiving certificates of merit for acts of special gallantry. It has been objected to such enlistments that they tend to intensify and perpetuate traditional inter-tribal feuds, and should, therefore, be avoided. Take for example the Rees and other tribes at the Fort Berthold agency, in the Territory of Dakota, in their relations to the neighboring bands of Sioux. The valuable services of the former have been recognized by Generals Stanley and Crittenden, but these tribes have suffered in consequence by the depredations of the Sioux. I recommend a careful consideration of this subject as one of the utmost importance, but am not prepared to give it my approval, in view of the fact that its propriety is questioned by many of the most judicious friends of the Indian cause, whose opinions are entitled to great weight. If such enlistments are to be made, however, we should do all that is necessary to strengthen the tribes from which recruits are enlisted by liberal supplies and improved arms, thus enabling them not only to defend themselves more effectually, but to render more efficient service to the Government. The complaint is now made by some of the friendly tribes thus circumstanced, that the bounty of the Government is dispensed in direct proportion to the hostility of a tribe, and that those which have been friendly from their own voluntary choice are left for the most part to their own resources.
The Sioux Nation is almost completely surrounded by tribes that are really friendly to the Government. and at the same time bitterly hostile to the Sioux. If these friendly tribes could be liberally supplied with improved firearms and ammunition, the present supremacy of the Sioux might in a few years be destroyed with but little aid from the Army, and quiet would prevail over the vast extent of country now roamed by that powerful nation.
HUNTING PRIVILEGES OF THE SIOUX.
Attention is invited to the eleventh article of the treaty of 1868 with the Sioux Nation, granting them certain hunting privileges within the State of Nebraska, and without the bounds of their reservation. On account of the violation of the other provisions of that treaty by the Sioux, and the scarcity of game in the country referred to, the Government will, I think, be justified in abrogating that article, and I respectfully suggest such action.
REDUCTION AND CHANGE OF RESERVATIONS.
Satisfactory progress has been made within the year in the reduction of the area of existing reservations, in the exchange of reservations lying within the range of advancing settlements and railroad construction for other locations equally desirable for all purposes of Indian occupancy, as well as in bringing tribes upon reservations for the first time, and in the removal of other tribes to the Indian Territory. All this is the legitimate result of the working of the existing policy, and the efforts of the Department in that direction have been unremitting. Several important negotiations have been concluded during the year looking to the change in the location of tribes and the reduction in the area of reservations.
It will be found by an examination of these negotiations that by the treaty with the Crows their reservation has been reduced by 4,000, of acres. Their present treaty appropriation, amounting to $130,000 per annum, expires with the present year, and by the terms of the negotiations under which they release the 4,000,000 acres of land above referred to, the Government will be required to pay them $50,000 per annum, a reduction of $80,000 per annum. In the negotiations with the Utes they relinquish between 4,000,000 and 5,000,000 acres of land, at an annual compensation of $25,000. Their present treaty appropriation, amounting to $20,000 per annum, expires with the present year. The net gains under the two negotiations in the annual expenditure of supporting these tribes amounts to 875,000, as compared with the expenditures of former years. The terms of these negotiations provide for the payment of the respective amounts named in such articles as the President may direct, which is in conformity with a suggestion made in a previous portion of this report, that further payments of annuities in money, to Indians, should cease. These negotiations will be submitted to Congress for action. The result, if ratified by Congress, will be to release a large area of valuable agricultural and mineral land, thereby enabling our white settlements to advance and occupy a desirable portion of the public domain. In this work the Department is greatly indebted to Bon. Felix R. Brunot, president of the Board of Indian Commissioners.
INCREASING DIFFICULTIES OF THE SERVICE.
While there have been no extensive Indian depredations during the year there may have been an apparent increase in the number of petty raids and depredations. These have, without doubt, been magnified and attributed to a supposed failure of the policy, or its want of adaptation to the management of all the tribes. If there really be an increase of these occurrences it is clearly attributable to other causes, and is not unexpected. Our relative position towards the Indians is materially changed within the last few years.
The progress of population, through the instrumentality of railroads and other facilities for travel, has brought the Indians and our frontier population into close proximity over an immense area of country hitherto uninhabited by civilized man, and entirely occupied by the Indian and the buffalo. Where difficulties arise between Indians and whites in our frontier settlements we can no longer, as heretofore, mitigate or avoid the trouble by removing the Indians into a country remote from civilization. We are now compelled to solve the question of preserving order and security between the Indians and whites through a vast region of country, not less than four thousand miles in length by twenty-five hundred in width, extending from the extreme northern and northwestern limits of Washington Territory to the Gulf of Mexico, and from the line which separates the United States from the British possessions in the North to the line which separates the United States from the territory of Mexico in the extreme southwest. Everywhere and in all places throughout this extensive region we are in constant danger of conflicts between our savage wards and our white citizens. The statement here made, if properly considered, will suggest to the reflecting mind how greatly increased are the difficulties of preserving peace, and securing everywhere the lives and property of our progressive and enterprising western settlers We must look for and prepare to prevent, as far as possible, a clashing of interests where habits are so diverse.
Our civilization is ever aggressive, while the savage nature is tenacious of traditional customs and rights. The natural distrust of the Indians, embittered by generations of real or fancied imposition and wrong, coupled with the greatly increased facilities and temptations for hostile raids and petty outrages is probably more than Indian nature can withstand, and it will be difficult to avoid for a time an increase of such occurrences. This condition of things calls loudly for more efficient efforts to separate the Indians from the whites by placing them on suitable reservations as fast as circumstances will permit to avoid such collisions in the future,
THE MODOC WAR.
The most serious diffiiculty which the Indian Office and the Department have encountered during the year with any Indian tribe is that known as the Modoc war. As soon as I had reason to anticipate serious hostilities from the Modocs every possible effort was made by the Department and the Indian Bureau, co-operating with the War Department, to adjust the difficulty without bloodshed. So desirable was it to accomplish this end that it was deemed advisable to exhaust all possible measures calculated to secure peace. Unfortunately, however, so much excitement and so strong a desire for revenge were found to exist as to prevent the accomplishment of this object. It would be useless to attempt to trace here the causes which defeated these efforts and ended in the sad catastrophe with which the country is familiar. The final treachery of the Modoc chiefs, which culminated in the assassination of Maj. Gen. E. R. S. Canby, of the Army, and Rev. Edward Thomas, D. D., of California, one of the commissioners treating with him for a peaceful adjustment of the difficulties, and in the serious and dangerous wounding of A. B. Meacham, of Oregon, another member of the commission, rendered it necessary to inflict upon this tribe not only severe but exemplary punishment. This was accomplished, first, by the Army in totally subduing the Modocs and capturing most of the tribe, in the trial and conviction by court-martial, and finally in the execution of the most notorious and wicked leaders of the tribe. This being accomplished you deemed it advisable, if possible, to make this the occasion of furnishing to other Indian tribes an example calculated to deter them in future from the commencement of hostilities. To do this most effectually it was deemed best to remove the entire remnant of the tribe to this side of the Rocky Mountains, to break up its tribal relations and divide the members thereof among certain friendly Indians in the Southern superintendency. This work is now in process of accomplishment, the entire body having been removed to the location indicated. It is now the intention of the Government to separate the members of this tribe and place them with different bands of Indians, taking care in doing this not to separate families, and to keep together, as far as possible, women and children whose husbands and male relatives were destroyed in the conflict.
The Indian is greatly attached to his tribal organization, and it is believed that this example of extinguishing their so-called national existence and merging their members into other tribes, while in reality a humane punishment, will be esteemed by them as the severest penalty that could have been inflicted, and tend by its example to deter hostile Indians in future from serious and flagrant insurrections.
The experience which the Modoc difficulty has furnished the Indian Office will, it is believed, enable that office to take measures calculated to prevent the recurrence of like difficulties under similar circumstances.
THE INDIAN TERRITORY.
The condition of the so-called Indian Territory is practically unchanged during the year, although progress has been made in the permanent location of additional tribes therein. The lawless condition of the Territory, the growing insecurity of life and property, and the manifest indisposition of the tribes there resident to accept voluntarily any improved form of government whereby existing difficulties might be avoided, would seem to call for some legislation to effect an improvement in the status of the Territory. It is to be regretted that the Ocmulgee constitution, with the amendments heretofore suggested by you, was not adopted by the council of tribes to whom it was submitted, as I am well convinced that such action on their part would have been attended by the most beneficial results. Recent information induces the belief that the opposition heretofore offered to those amendments by the Indians will be withdrawn at the next meeting of their council, and that the constitution will be adopted as amended. If it shall not be adopted, and Congress shall not deem it advisable to erect a territorial government within the Indian Territory, I trust that the necessary legislation may be obtained to at least provide for the organization of a court or courts therein, under the jurisdiction, so far as the appointment of the judicial officers is concerned, of the Federal Government. The necessity which now compels the resort to a court in an adjoining State involves a burden of expense to litigants as well as to our Government which operates as almost a bar to justice, and produces a condition of anarchy throughout the Territory under which life and property are in jeopardy to an extent almost equal to that in territory occupied by tribes making no pretense of civilization.
MISSION INDIANS OF CALIFORNIA.
Attention is invited to the condition of the so-called Mission Indians of Southern California, as set forth in the interesting report of the special agent sent to investigate their condition, and which accompanies the report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. Their past history and present condition, the treatment they have received from their white neighbors and from the Government, offer the strongest reasons for legislation in their behalf that they may be enabled to secure to themselves homes and the protection of the law.
CO-OPERATION OF THE WAR DEPARTMENT, ARMY, INDIAN COMMISSIONERS, ETC.
I take pleasure in being able to say that this Department has had during the past year the cordial and earnest co-operation of the Secretary of War and the officers of the Army in carrying out its policy of dealing with the various Indian tribes. This, with the valuable aid and assistance which has been rendered by the Board of Indian Commissioners, and especially its President, Hon. Felix B. Brunot, and the various religious organizations by whom the Indian agents of the Government are selected, has materially aided the Department in its difficult and complicated labors. A continuance of this work, sustained by the other branches of the public service just referred to, will, I have no doubt, in a few years, result in greatly improving the moral and physical condition of the Indians, and in giving security to our frontier settlements from Indian depredations, as well as in laying a permanent foundation for the progress of our various Indian tribes in the pursuits of peace and civilization.
LANDS.
During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1873, public lands were disposed of as follows:
| Acres. | |
| Cash sales | 1, 626, 266. 03 |
| Located with military warrants | 214, 940. 00 |
| Taken for homesteads | 3, 793, 612. 52 |
| Located with agricultural-college scrip | 653, 446. 41 |
| Certified to railroads | 6, 083, 536. 57 |
| Certified to wagon-roads | 76, 576. 82 |
| Approved to States as swamp | 238, 548. 65 |
| Certified for agricultural colleges | 10, 223. 29 |
| Certified for common schools | 76, 909. 17 |
| Certified for universities | 51, 228. 69 |
| Certified for seminaries | 320. 00 |
| Approved to States for internal improvements | 190, 775. 76 |
| Indian scrip locations | 14, 222. 96 |
| 000,000,000,000 | |
| Total | 13, 030, 606. 87 |
This quantity exceeds that disposed of during the previous year by 1,165,631.23 acres.
The cash receipts were $3,408,515.50, a sum greater by $190,415.50 than that received the previous year.
The surveys amounted to 30,488,132.83 acres, an increase on the quantity surveyed the previous year of 1,037,193.28 acres. The total area of the land States and Territories is 1,834,998,400 acres, of which 616,554,895 acres have been surveyed.
The Commissioner states that the arrearages of work in his office have been diminished, and that its business is now, in most of its branches, in an advanced condition. This business is, however, steadily increasing pari passu with the tide of immigration to the frontier; and to keep it in a satisfactory state will require a thorough re-organization of the clerical force. I would respectfully and earnestly invite the attention of Congress to the Commissioner's suggestions on this head, as well as to those concerning the expediency of repealing the pre-emption laws and requiring settlers on the public lands to obtain title thereto under the homestead laws only.
The report of the commissioner contains much valuable information; the principal rulings of the office and of the Department during the last fiscal year; circulars to carry into effect recent legislation relating to the public domain; all showing this important branch of the public service to be wisely managed by its energetic and capable head.
MENNONITES OF SOUTHERN RUSSIA.
I desire to invite the attention of Congress to a request from a colony of Mennonites, now and for several generations residing in Southern Russia, near the shores of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, for a modification of the existing land laws in certain particulars, to enable them to settle upon our public domain in a compact colony.
By a decree of the Russian government this people, numbering between forty thousand and fifty thousand persons, have been deprived of certain immunities which they have enjoyed ever since their first settlement in Russia, and the granting of which had originally induced them to leave their former homes in Prussia and settle in their present place of abode.
It is their desire to come to the United States and to occupy a portion of our public lands in a compact body, with no strangers to their religious faith within the exterior bounds of their possessions. Such exclusive occupancy they deem essential to enable them to carry out their peculiar system of farming, which to some extent involves a community of interest in and occupancy of the lands; and they also wish to avoid, as far as possible, the presence of any disturbing elements in their immediate neighborhood.
The deprivation of the immunities heretofore enjoyed by them does not take effect until the expiration of ten years from June, 1871, the date of the imperial decree. Within that time it is their desire to dispose of their property in Russia, and remove to a country where they may enjoy civil and religious liberty; and they have selected the United States as a place where they can most fully realize such freedom.
In order, however, to enable them to obtain possession of lands in a compact body, some concessions must necessarily be made from the present requirements of the land laws. I would respectfully suggest that the Secretary of the Interior be authorized to withdraw from sale or entry such lands as they may desire to occupy, for a term of years long enough to enable them to emigrate to this country and settle thereon, and to dispose of such lands to those persons among the emigrants who shall make the proper entry or purchase thereof in accordance with existing laws. Should they desire to settle within railroad limits, the authority should enable the withdrawal, in like manner, of the alternate sections belonging to the Government. It is possible that the entire body of emigrants may not desire to locate in one colony, but would prefer the selection of two or more colonies or locations. It would be well, therefore, to confer such discretion on the Secretary of the Interior as would enable him to meet their views in that regard. The entire area they will probably require will be about 500,000 acres.
POSSESSORY RIGHTS OF BRITISH SUBJECTS IN THE TERRITORY CONFIRMED TO THE UNITED STATES BY THE DECISION OF THE EMPEROR OF GERMANY.
The Secretary of State has called my attention to a communication from Sir Edward Thornton, the British minister, who, under instructions from his government, has asked the consideration of the case of those persons, subjects of Great Britain, who had settled upon the islands between the continent and Vancouver's Island, which were confirmed to the United States by the decision of the Emperor of Germany. And the Secretary of State, after calling the attention of the Department to this subject, has inquired whether he may be justified in saying to the British minister that this Department will be prepared to recommend to Congress any legislation on this subject at the approaching session, and also to ask, in case any legislation will be recommended, that, if there be no objections, he may be informed of the provisions which Congress will be asked to enact into a law.
The third article of the treaty of June 15, 1846, above referred to, is in the following words:
In the future appropriation of the territory south of the forty-ninth parallel of north latitude, as provided in the first article of this treaty, the possessory rights of the Hudson's Bay Company, and of all British subjects who may be already in the occupation of land or other property lawfully acquired within the said territory, shall be respected.
The construction placed upon this article of the treaty by those most familiar with its history is that the possessory rights of the Hudson's Bay Company, and all British subjects who were in the occupation of land or other property within said territory at the date of the treaty, are the only possessory rights to be respected. I have concluded to follow this construction.
I have therefore advised the Secretary of State that this Department will be prepared to recommend to Congress the passage of a law providing in substance as follows:
First. For the appointment of a commission to make, and report to the Secretary of the Interior, a list of the British subjects within said territory at the date of the treaty of June 15, 1846, with a description of the lands actually occupied by each at that time.
Second. That such parties shall have one year from the date of the filing of such report with the Secretary of the Interior in which to enter and pay for the lands so occupied by them, at the ordinary minimum price per acre where the lands are outside of railroad limits, and at double minimum price where the lands are within railroad limits. The entry to be according to legal subdivisions so as to include the improvements of occupants, and where two or more parties shall have improvements on the same smallest legal subdivision, that they may be entitled to make joint entry.
Third. That in case entry and payment are not made within one year from the time when the report of the commission is filed in the office of the Secretary of the Interior, all possessory rights under the treaty shall be considered forfeited, and the lands shall thereafter be deemed and treated as part of the public domain, to be disposed of as other public lands.
I have therefore respectfully to recommend the adoption by Congress of some measure which will embody the principles contained in my communication to the Secretary of State herein referred to.
Should Congress be of opinion that the construction of the third article of the treaty of 1846 which I have adopted is incorrect, and that it should be so interpreted as to embrace the possessory rights of all persons who were occupants of land or other property, lawfully acquired, at the date of the award of the Emperor of Germany, before referred to, it will be in their power to enlarge the scope of the measure which I here recommend so as to include this class of persons.
If grave doubts are found to exist in regard to the interpretation of this article, and if, in view of such doubts, it shall appear to Congress that some equitable provision should be made for such persons as may have acquired possessory rights within the territory after the date of the treaty of 1846, it will be in the power of Congress to make such provision for these equitable rights as in its wisdom may be deemed advisable.
Should such doubts arise, it may be proper, if any legislation is had for the protection of the equitable rights of persons coming into the territory after the date of the treaty, that it be limited so as to prevent any occupant of this class acquiring more than one quarter-section of land.
THE GROWTH OF TIMBER ON THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.
On the 3d of March last an act was approved entitled "An act to encourage the growth of timber on western prairies," the first section of which provides, "That any person who shall plant, protect, and keep in a healthy, growing condition, for ten years, forty acres of timber, the trees thereon not being more than twelve feet apart each way, on any quarter-section of any of the public lands of the United States, shall be entitled to a patent for the whole of the said quarter-section, at the expiration of said ten years, on making proof of such fact by not less than two credible witnesses: Provided, That only one quarter in any section shall be thus granted."
The Commissioner of the General Land-Office, in preparing rules and regulations under the sixth section of the above act, in order to carry its provisions into effect, refused to permit more than one entry of a quarter-section to be made by any one person.
It is claimed, on the other hand, that this act permits any person to make entry of as many quarter-sections as he sees fit.
While it may not be perfectly clear that the ruling of the Commissioner is according to the true legal interpretation of the act, it seems to me that it is in accord with the general purpose of Congress in disposing gratuitously of the public domain, and that to allow a contrary interpretation would be to encourage the incumbrance of the public domain, by entries of this character to a large amount, by persons whose circumstances enable them to make the necessary expenditures, whereby the public lands would be withdrawn from the free and easy settlement now secured to persons of moderate means; and that, in this manner, considerable inconvenience and injustice to pre-emptors and homestead-settlers would necessarily ensue.
I have deemed it best, therefore, to sustain the construction put upon the act by the Commissioner of the General Land-Office, and, in this manner, to invite the attention of Congress to the subject, so that, if deemed necessary, they may declare distinctly the right of any one individual to make as many locations as he sees fit under the aforesaid act.
PATENTS.
During the year ending September 30, 1873, there were filed in the Patent Office 20,354 applications for patents, including re-issues and designs; 283 applications for the extension of patents; and 519 applications for the registering of trade-marks. Twelve thousand nine hundred and seventeen patents, including re-issues and designs, were issued, 235 extended, and 965 allowed but not issued by reason of non-payment of the final fee; 3,274 caveats were filed, and 475 trade-marks registered. The fees during the same period from all sources amounted to $701,626.72, and the total expenditure to $699,449.69, making the receipts $2,177.03 in excess of the expenditure. The appropriation asked for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875, is $693,500.
The excess of receipts over expenditures for said year is not, nominally, so great as during previous years. This is explained by the following statement of the Commissioner:
The publication of the Official Gazette of the office requires an annual expenditure of $40,000, but a small portion of which is at present returned to the office by subscription. It has been deemed advisable to publish an edition of 10,000 copies, although less than half of that number are now distributed. Subscriptions, however, are being constantly received, and the back numbers are invariably called for. The Commissioner expresses his conviction that the entire edition will be exhausted within a few years. During said year the cost of printing the current drawings for the office has been paid from the appropriations made for the Patent Office. Previously that expense had been defrayed from appropriations made for the Government Printing Office. This expense, amounting to $40,000 annually, has thus been added to the regular expenditures of the office; but it is, in effect, only a transfer from appropriations made for the Government Printing Office to those for the Patent Office. The sum of $60,000 has been expended in the reproduction of old drawings, but this amount appears to be no part of the current expenses of the office. The Commissioner states that in a few years all of the old drawings will be reproduced in such quantities as will supply the future demand for them. He considers the amount thus expended well invested, not only financially, but with reference to the intelligent advancement of the manufacturing interests of the country. The drawings are being sold for more than their actual cost, and it is believed that a greater amount will eventually be received from their sale than has been expended for their reproduction.
The items above referred to amount to $140,000, which sum has been added, during the year ending September 30, 1873, to the regular current expenses of the office in previous years, and has absorbed almost the entire amount of the excess of receipts over expenditures which would otherwise have existed.
The Commissioner again earnestly invites attention to the great want of additional room for the proper transaction of official business, stating that it is utterly impossible to properly classify the work of the office, in order to insure its being economically and properly done, in the present crowded state of the files, records, and exhibits.
PENSIONS.
There are now borne upon the pension-rolls the names of 445 widows of soldiers in the revolutionary war, a decrease of 26 since the last annual report. The names of 1,105 widows and children of soldiers who served in the wars subsequent to the Revolution and prior to the late rebellion, excepting the war of 1812, are borne on the rolls, being 52 less than the preceding year.
During the year ending June 30, 1873, there were examined and allowed 6,422 original applications of soldiers for invalid pension, at an aggregate annual rate of $413,344.50; 20,946 applications of soldiers for increased pension, at an annual aggregate rate of $920,930.25; and 251 applications of invalid pensioners for restoration to the rolls, at an aggregate yearly rate of $12,868.92. The number of claims for increased invalid pensions of soldiers is greatly in excess of previous years, owing to the liberal provisions of the act of June 8, 1872; 15,505 claims, or more than three-fourths of the number above named, having been admitted under said act. During the same period 3,949 original pensions to widows, orphans, and dependent relatives of soldiers were allowed, at an annual aggregate rate of $520,802.07; 545 applications of the same class for increase of pension were admitted, at a total yearly rate of $20,108.87; and 73 applicants of that class were restored to the rolls, at an aggregate annual rate of $8,034. The whole number of Army claims for pensions, original, increase, and restoration, and exclusive of those of the war of 1812, which were allowed during the said year, was 32,186, and the annual amount of pension thus granted was $1,896,088.61. At the close of the last fiscal year there were borne on the rolls the names of 99,804 invalid military pensioners, whose yearly pensions amounted to $9,627,240.09; and of 112,088 widows, orphans, and dependent relatives of soldiers, whose annual pensions amounted to $13,962,764.39; making the aggregate number of Army pensioners 211,892, at a total annual rate of $23,590,004,48. The whole amount paid during said year to invalid military pensioners was $10,564,825,51, and to widows, orphans, and dependent relatives, $15,388,644.75; a grand total of $25,953,470.26, which includes the expenses of disbursement.
During the same year there were admitted 129 new applications for invalid Navy pensions, at a total yearly rate of $15,421; 239 applications of the same class for increase of pension, at an annual aggregate rate of $11,086; 1 application of that class for restoration to the rolls, at an annual rate of $48; 124 original applications of widows, orphans, and dependent relatives of those who died in the Navy, at an aggregate yearly rate of $20,184; 31 applications of the same class for increase of pension, at a total annual rate of $1,500; and 6 applicants of that class were restored to the rolls, at an aggregate annual rate of $1,200. The total number of Navy claims, original, increase, and restoration, admitted during said year, was 530, the annual pension thereby granted amounting to $49,439. At the close of said year there were borne on the rolls of Navy pensioners the names of 1,430 invalids, whose yearly pensions amounted to $150,537.75; and of 1,770 widows, orphans, and dependent relatives, at a total yearly rate of $280,550, making the whole number of such pensioners 3,200, at an aggregate annual rate of $431,087.75. The total amount paid during the last fiscal year to Navy invalid pensioners was $160,971.98, and to widows, orphans, and dependent relatives, $302,936.71, a total amount of $463,908.69.
Prior to June 30, 1873, 39,331 claims of survivors and of widows of soldiers in the war of 1812 had been received, of which number 2,780 were filed during the last fiscal year. There were pending on the 30th day of June, 1872, 11,580 claims of this character, which, added to the number received during the succeeding year, makes a total of 14,360 claims which were before the office for adjudication during said year. Of these there were allowed during the year 3,186 claims of survivors, at a total yearly rate of $305,856; 2,242 claims of widows, at an aggregate yearly rate of $215,232; 16 claims of survivors and 6 of widows for restoration, at a total annual rate of 2,112; making the total number of claims of this character allowed during said year, 5,450, and the annual amount of pensions thus granted, $523,200. During the same period there were rejected 3,933 claims of survivors and 2,082 of widows a total of 6,015 claims. On the 1st instant there were pending 2,895 claims of this description, more than half of which are believed to be without merit, and will probably be rejected. The total amount paid during the year to survivors of the war of 1812 was $2,078,606.98, and to widows, $689,303.69, a total amount of $2,767,910.67, including the expenses of disbursement.
The number of original pensions of all classes granted during the past Fiscal year was 16,405. During the same period there were dropped from the rolls, from various causes, 10,223 names, leaving a net addition to the pension-rolls during said year of 6,182 names. The whole number of pensioners of the Government on the 30th day of June, 1873, was 238,411, whose annual pensions amount to $26,259,284.23. The amount paid during said year for pensions of all classes, including the expenses of disbursement, was $29,185,289.62, being $984,050.38 less than the amount paid during the preceding year.
Three hundred and forty bounty-land warrants were issued during the year tor 52,160 acres, being 15,880 less than the number of acres issued for the preceding year. During the same period 1,398 persons availed themselves of the benefits of the act of June 30, 1870, providing for artificial limbs and apparatus for resection, or commutation therefor, of whom 1,332 preferred the latter.
On the 30th day of June, 1873, there were on file, unadjusted, 32,054 claims for invalid pension, 29,615 claims of widows, orphans, and dependent relatives, and 3,004 claims of soldiers and of widows of soldiers in the war of 1812, making a total of 64,673 unadjusted claims, a decrease of 17,845 since the last annual report.
The Commissioner, in his report, refers to certain defects in the system which has obtained with respect to the establishment of claims for pension, and expresses the opinion that, until such defects are remedied by new legislation, there is no adequate security to the Government against dishonest claimants. The work of investigating frauds, committed by dishonest claimants and attorneys, has continued during the year, with its customary good results. The direct saving to the Government effected by these investigations is many times greater than the sum expended in making them, and sound policy dictates that they should be continued. While the efforts made by those charged with the duty of detecting frauds already committed are generally successful, it is apparent that they are powerless, under the present system of establishing pension-claims, to prevent their commission.
The act of March 3, 1873, provided for the appointment of a "duly qualified surgeon as medical referee," and of such other "duly qualified surgeons (not exceeding four)" as assistants to such referee. This legislation supplied a want which had long existed in the administration of the office. Inasmuch as in a large proportion of claims for invalid pension the question of title thereto is purely of a medical character, it had been found necessary in past years to organize a medical division in the office, but no direct provision therefor was made by law until the passage of said act. That division is now organized upon a legal basis, and is in the charge of a chief whose official position is established by law. An accomplished surgeon, who had previously been in charge of the medical division, was appointed medical referee, and his four assistants were selected from among those of the clerical force of the office who, upon a competitive examination, conducted with reference to the special qualifications required, were found to be the most competent for such positions. The certificates of the examining surgeons of pensions constitute a very important feature of claims of invalids, inasmuch as they prescribe in a great measure the rates of pension allowed. In order to guard against an improper expenditure of the public money, on the one hand, and to insure justice to claimants on the other, it is essential that such certificates should be the result of the best medical judgment attainable, and that they should be analyzed and corrected by the office, so as to secure proper and uniform rating of pensions. The roster of examining surgeons is constantly undergoing changes with a view to greater efficiency, and its members have been thoroughly instructed in respect to their duties. An evidence of the efficiency with which the medical division has labored in this direction is shown by the fact that only about five per cent. of the certificates of examination are at present returned for correction to the surgeons making them, whereas two years ago about forty per cent. thereof was returned for that purpose. The improvement in the character of such certificates, and the careful and intelligent supervision of them by the medical division, has resulted in a more uniform and equitable adjudication of claims for invalid pension than has ever been attained hitherto in the practice of the office.
The Commissioner suggests that the law in relation to pensions of Indians be amended in certain particulars, so as to enable the office to do justice to a class of persons whose equitable claims upon the bounty of the Government have been long delayed.
Owing to recent modifications of the pension laws, which compelled the re-adjustment of an unusual number of claims, the work of the office has been largely increased, and the biennial examination of pensioners, made in September last, also entailed upon its clerical force much additional labor. Some delay has thus been caused in the ordinary routine business of the office, but it is confidently believed that the force now employed will soon be equal to the demands made upon it. The biennial examinations above referred to were so recently made, that, at the date of the Commissioners report, sufficient returns therefrom had not been received upon which to base an opinion as to the probable result with respect to the annual pension appropriation.
The Commissioner represents the necessity for a re-organization of the office by creating heads of divisions, whose duties shall be defined by law, and whose compensation shall be commensurate with the responsibility imposed upon them.
The amount that will probably be required for the pension service during the next fiscal year is $30,480,000. The same amount was asked for and appropriated for the current fiscal year. There would have been a considerable decrease in the amount now asked for had it not been for the new legislation contained in the act of March 3, 1873. Under that act widows of officers are entitled to additional pension on account of minor children by such officers, and a single minor child of a deceased soldier is also entitled to additional pension. In both of these cases, hitherto unprovided for, arrears of the additional pension are due since July 25, 1866. A considerable sum will also be required to satisfy claims on account of permanent specific disabilities for the increased rates provided for in said act.
EDUCATION.
During the past year this office has steadily pursued the course of work laid down for it by law. The library of the Bureau has received important accessions, especially of foreign educational reports and literature. About 7,000 volumes and 36,000 pamphlets, published by the Bureau, have been distributed during the past year.
In accordance with the expressed wishes of the Department of State and of the General Director of the Vienna Exposition, the Bureau of Education, during the winter of 1872-'73, took measures to procure and forward to the exposition specimens of school-books, charts, school furniture, educational reports, catalogues of libraries, and other appropriate matter. These were duly exhibited in Group XXVI of the exposition, with additional material collected by similar efforts; and the collection thus gathered in Vienna has, during the past summer, been an object of profound interest to the great assembly of educators, scientists, and intelligent observers who visited that city. As a recognition, in the words of the awards, of its "distinguished services in the cause of education, and for important contributions to the exposition," a grand diploma of honor (the highest prize given) was awarded to the Bureau. Three other grand diplomas of honor, viz, to the State of Massachusetts, the city of Boston, and to the Smithsonian Institution, respectively, as well as many medals and diplomas of merit to various cities of the United States for their contributions to the educational department of the exposition, were awarded.
The Commissioner recommends an increase of the permanent force of the office commensurate with the increasing amount of work to be done, an appropriation for book-cases and record-cases, additional funds for the publication of circulars of information to meet the increasing demand for the same, the passage of a law requiring annual reports respecting the condition of education in the Territories for the information of Congress and the public, the setting apart of the net proceeds of public land-sales in behalf of public instruction, and the printing of a larger number of his annual report.
CENSUS
"The report of the Superintendent of the Census details the work of that office during the past year, in supervising the printing and publication of the voluminous reports of the ninth census; in adjusting under the act of Congress approved March 3, 1873, the accounts of assistant marshals at the eighth census in the Southern States; in conducting current correspondence; and in placing the records and files of the office in shape for use and reference at future censuses. It will be seen that the three quarto volumes, comprising the complete reports of the ninth census, as well as the compendium provided for by the concurrent resolution of Congress passed on May 31, 1872, have issued from the press since the date of the last annual report of this Department. Eight hundred and twenty-eight accounts of assistant marshals at the eighth census, which have for twelve years been suspended for proof of loyalty, have been adjusted, in a total sum of $164,341.53, and forwarded to the Treasury Department for payment. The force of the office has meanwhile been rapidly reduced. Now that the last of the great body of manuscript record brought into the Department by the enumeration of 1870 has been arranged, one clerk, it is believed, will suffice, as in the interval between the eighth and ninth censuses, to conduct all the correspondence and perform all the duties relating to this branch of the public service.
At the date of my last annual report the duties of the Superintendent of the Census under my appointment were discharged by the Commissioner of Indian affairs, Hon. Francis A. Walker, who had held the office of superintendent prior to his appointment to the Indian Bureau. On the resignation of Commissioner Walker, February 1, 1873, to accept a position in private life, I requested him to continue his charge of matters relating to the census, in order that the continuity of plan and procedure might not be unnecessarily interrupted. In compliance with this invitation Mr. Walker duly qualified, and has continued to act as Superintendent of the Census until the present time, without salary, giving to the work so much of his time and attention as was required.
I respectfully renew my recommendation for a census to be taken in 1875, the results of which could be published in season for the centennial celebration of the Independence of the United States. The suggestion to this effect contained in the last annual report of this Department has received the cordial approval of a large portion of the press of the country. It is scarcely possible to doubt that authentic information respecting the increase in population and wealth during any term of five years would well repay its cost in directing our industrial development, as well as through the better information of Congress respecting the condition, wants, and capacities of the people. But there appears to me to be a peculiar fitness in thus ascertaining by official count our numbers and resources at the close of the first century of the national life, and exhibiting to the world, in this conspicuous manner, the wonderful effects wrought by the social, industrial, and political freedom which the people of the United States have enjoyed. I sincerely trust that this measure may receive the early and favorable attention of Congress.
RAILWAYS.
The subscriptions to the stock of the Union Pacific Railroad Company amount to $36,783,000, of which $36,762,300 has been paid. The receipts for the year ending 30th June, 1873, from the transportation of passengers were $3,786,208.20; of freight, $5,024.998.37; and from miscellaneous sources, $822,758.52; total, $9,633,965.09. The entire cost of the road and fixtures to said date was $112,259,336.53, and the operating expenses of the road for the last fiscal year (ending 30th June, 1873) were $4,697,999.50. The total bonded indebtedness of the company at the end of that year amounted to $75,427,512, of which $27,236,512 is due to the United States. The "floating debt" to same period (not including the company's note for $2,000,000 issued to the Hoxie contract) amounted to $1,940,239.73, and "exchange loans," £120,000.
The Central Pacific Railroad Company by consolidation (as heretofore reported) embraces, besides the original company of that name, also the Western Pacific, the California and Oregon, the San Francisco and Oakland, and the San Francisco and Alameda Companies. Stock to the amount of $62,608,800 has been subscribed, and $54,275,500 paid. The receipts for the year ending June 30, 1873, from transportation of passengers were $4,388,307.14, and of freight, $7,277,482.33; total, $11,665,789.47. The operating expenses of the road for the year were $5,349,425.21, leaving not earnings to the amount of $6,316,364.26. At the close of said year the indebtedness of the company amounted to $85,433,816.60, of which $27,855,680 was to the United States.
The stock subscription of the Central Branch Union Pacific Railroad Company is $1,000,000, of which $980,600 has been paid in. The receipts for transportation of passengers for the year ending June 30, 1873, were $48,591, and for freight $71,071.91; total, $119,662.91. The expenses of the road and fixtures have been $3,723,700 The expense of the road for the fiscal year ending as above stated is $172,231.44. The companys indebtedness (in addition to the first-mortgage bonds, $1,600,000, and the Government loan, $1,600,000) is $303,058.45.
The amount of stock of the Kansas Pacific Railway Company subscribed is $9,992,500, and the amount paid is $9,655,950. Total amount of stock allowed by law, $10,000,000 The receipts for the transportation of passengers for the year ending June 30, 1873, are $1,393,633.96; for freight during same period, $2,285,038.52; miscellaneous earnings, $69.617.34; total, $3,748,289.82. The cost of construction and equipment of 639 miles of main line, and 33 miles of branch line (672 miles) has been $33,392.840.66. The total funded debt of the company is $27,452,100, of which $6,303,000 is due the United States. Other liabilities and indebtedness, $2,996,148.97, total, 830,448,248.97.
The amount of the stock of the Denver Pacific Railway and Telegraph Company subscribed and paid in is $4,000,000 The receipts for the year ending June 30, 1873, for transportation of passengers were $173,720.58; of freight, $149,012.42; and from miscellaneous sources, $13,215.25; total, $335,948.25. The cost of construction and equipment of the road to the date above stated was $6,493,800, and the indebtedness of the company to that date was $2,513,747.16.
Stock of the Sioux City and Pacific Railroad Company to the amount of $4,478,500 has been subscribed, of which $1,791,400 has been paid in. The receipts for the year ending June 30, 1873, from the transportation of passengers were 873,460.84; of freight, $169,507.36; of mails, $7,299.98; from express, 82,617.3S; and from miscellaneous sources, $9,044.56, total, $261,930.12 The expenses during that period were $201,164.60, leaving net earnings, $60,765.52. The indebtedness of the company is $3,339,743.80, of which $1,628,320 is due to the United States. This road commences at Sioux City, Iowa, and extends to Fremont, Nebr., where it intersects the Union Pacific Railroad, a distance of 10177100 miles.
At the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1873, the amount of subscribed stock of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company of California was $13,189,400; of which $11,965,400 was paid. Explorations and examinations of former preliminary lines have been continued since the last report amounting to 750 miles; 11450100 miles of road have been permanently located, and 6450100 completed. Twenty miles of this latter distance is on the route from Tipton to Delano, and 50 miles (commencing at the San Fernando Pass via Los Angeles, thence toward San Bernardino, ending about 29 miles easterly from Los Angeles) on the line from Tehachapi Pass to Fort Yuma. Forty-two and one-half miles have been completed on the branch line in the Salinas Valley. The cost of the surveys to June 30, 1873, has been $105,000. The amount received for the transportation of passengers for the fiscal year was $469,789.63; of freight, $486,465.37; total, $956,255. The expenses of the road for the year were $458,739.14, leaving net earnings $497,515.86. The indebtedness of the company is shown by their report to be $8,050,000. The fourth section of 20 miles of this road was accepted by you on the 6th of August last, making the total number of miles miles accepted 9026100.
Stock of the Texas and Pacific Railway Company has been subscribed to the amount of $2,000.000, of which $200,000 has been paid in. The bonds of the company consist of two kinds, viz, "First-mortgage six per cent. gold-construction bonds," and "First-mortgage land-grant" bonds. Of the former none have been issued. Of the latter, there have been issued in the purchase of consolidated roads, $4,000,000 The indebtedness of the company is shown by their report to be as follows: Capital stock, (as shown above,) $2,000,000; land bonds, $4,000,000; debt Southern Pacino Railroad Company to State of Texas, assumed by the Texas and Pacific Railway Company, 8209,126.31; floating debt, $790,095.71; "Interest coupons on land bonds," $140,000; total, $7,139,222.02. The operating receipts and expenditures of the road for the year ending June 30, 1873, have been as follows: Receipts, from passengers, $104,392.44; freight, $223,211.99; United States mails, $5,328; miscellaneous, $448.43; total,$333,380.86. Expenditures, for conducting transportation, 851,994.43; maintenance of roadway, $111,044; cost of running and maintenance of motive power and cars, $62,370.20; general expenses, $31,153.56; total, $256,562.19. Receipts over expenditures, $76,818.61 There have been 109 miles of this road constructed, and 355 miles graded, bridged, and tied. Since the date of the last report of the company (June 30, 1872) the engineers in charge of the surveys have run over 8,000 miles of instrumental lines, and made 15,000 miles of reconnaissance, developing a country 1,500 miles long east and west, and 150 miles in width north and south, so thoroughly that the line of location from Red River to the Pacific can very nearly be determined. The lines of road surveyed and in part undergoing construction are as follows: Southern division, from Longview, Tex., to Fort Worth, 155 miles; Jefferson division, from Marshall to Texarkana, 69 miles; Transcontinental division, from Texarkana to Fort Worth, 237 miles; Brazos diviswn, from Fort Worth to the one-hundredth meridian, about 175 miles; Pecos division, from the one-hundredth meridian to Rio Grande River, 412 miles; New Mexico division, from Rio Grande to the Pimas Villages,38885100 miles; California division, from Pimas Villages to San Diego, Cal., 444 miles; total distance, 1,88085100, miles. The greatest altitude reached in crossing the continent is 6,355 feet.
The Atlantic and Pacific Railroad Company's report for the year ending June 30, 1873, shows that $19,760,300 of stock has been subscribed and paid in. Grading has been done in the Soledad Pass, Cal., and $8,013.72 expended in grading at this pass, to June 30, 1873. On June 29, 1872, the company leased for a term of 999 years the Pacific Railroad of Missouri, extending from Saint Louis, Mo., to Kansas City, Mo., including Carondelet Branch, (297½ miles,) and assumed the leases to said Pacific Railroad of the following-named lines 2 Missouri River Railroad, 25¼ miles; Leavenworth, Atchison and Northwestern Railroad, 21¼ miles; Osage Valley and Southern Kansas Railroad, 25 miles; Lexington and Saint Louis Railroad, 55¼ miles; Saint Louis, Lawrence and Denver Railroad, 61 miles. The cost of the surveys of the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad to June 30, 1873, was $306,357.84. The amount received from passengers on the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad Division, was $303,357.84; on the Pacific Railroad of Missouri and leased-lines division, $1,073,981.02 total, $1,377,338.86. The amount received for freight on the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad Division was $945,711.69; on the Pacino Railroad and leased-lines division, $2,587,852.37; total, $3,533,564.06. The cost of the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad and fixtures, as appears from the accounts of the Treasurer, June 30, 1873, was $36,262,322.70. The running expenses of the road from 1st July, 1872, to June 30, 1873, were 8692,529.16. The same expenses of the Pacific Railroad of Missouri and leased lines for that period, were $2,693,926.36; total for the fiscal year, $3,386,455.52.
The indebtedness of the company is as follows: Bonded debt of the South Pacific Railroad Company, secured by mortgage of lands, assumed, 87,190,000; Atlantic and Pacific Railroad Company's bonds dated 1st July, 1868—20 years—$2,945,500; Atlantic and Pacific Company's railroad and land-grant bonds, November 1, 1871, $1,190,000; same company's central division land-grant bonds, dated November 1, 1871, $797,922; same company's second mortgage railroad and land-grant bonds, dated November 1, 1871, 81,272,000; same company's scrip for bonds dated November 1, 1870, $1,718,438.36; total bonded indebtedness, $15,113,860.36; Boating indebtedness, $2,758,025.38; total indebtedness, $17,871,885.74. Assets of cash, debts due company, and securities other than of this company, amounting to 8l,340,070.31, on hand.
Stock of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, to the amount of $100,000,000, has been subscribed, and certificates for 172,695 shares of $100 each have been issued. During the year 1873, the road was definitely located from the mouth of Heart River, on the Missouri, to the mouth of Glendive Creek, on the Yellowstone, a distance of 205 miles. The precise point of crossing the Missouri River has not yet been fixed by the company. The surveys necessary to complete a continuous line across the continent, which were left unfinished last year by reason of the open hostility of the Sioux Indians of Montana and Dakota, have, this year, been brought to a most satisfactory conclusion. A continuous line has been surveyed from Lake Superior to Puget Sound, and the data have been obtained for deciding the final location of the road between the above-named termini. The entire line of route has- not as yet been definitely fixed upon. The company reports that "for climate, soil, quantity, and variety of mineral wealth, and all the elements nef cessary to the support of a dense population, there is no zone of similar extent and value between the Mississippi River and the Pacific Ocean" as that "of the region lying between and contiguous to parallels 46 and 47 north latitude." The whole amount expended on surveys from the beginning of the work to the 1st of July last is $1,058,873.74. The ex- tent of line surveyed is 9,388 miles, and, in addition, 2,350 of river»re- connoissance. The amount received from passengers on the road (in Minnesota and in Washington Territory) is $153,551.97; for transporta- tion of freight, $393,549.23, which includes a few days of the earnings of June, 1873, in Dakota. The expense of the road and tixtures has been $20,092,380.09, and the indebtedness of the company is $29,309,337.40. The word " expense," as used above, is said by the company "to mean the cost of the road proper and its fixtures " only. The company’s re- port states that, on October 1, 1873, trains were running regularly, (both passenger and freight,) engaged in the general traffic from Lake Superior to the Missouri River, a distance of 453 miles, and from Kalama, on the Columbia River, northward, 65 miles toward Puget Sound. Beyond that, a distance of 25 miles of track has been laid, and 15 miles more nearly graded, which, when completed, (about the 1st of December, this year,) will make a continuous road from the Columbia River to Puget Sound, 105 miles. On the 6th of last Janu- ary you accepted the first 228 miles of the Northern Pacific Railroad in Minnesota, (from its junction with the Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad, near Thomson, to the Red River of the North ;) and, on the 10th of September, 1873, 65 miles of the road in Washington Territory, " on its main line between the city of Portland, Oreg., and its western terminus on Puget Sound." The report of the commissioners appointed to examine the completed portion of the road (195 miles) in Dakota Territory has not yet been received.
On the 11th of March last you accepted 15535100, miles of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway, from the 8676100 mile (south of the southern boundary-line of Kansas) to Red River, near Preston, Tex. Total num- ber of miles accepted 24211100 I accepted, on the 4th of September last, 8428100 miles of the Cairo and Fulton Railroad, lying between Little Rock, in Arkansas, and the southern boundary of Missouri. Application having been made for the examination of the portion of this road lying between Little Rock and Fulton, commissioners have been appointed for that purpose, but their report has not yet been received.
You accepted, November 4, 1872, the final portion (50¾ miles) of the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad, in Nebraska, reported on by commissioners on the 30th October of that year. This makes a total accepted line in that State of 190¾ miles.
That portion of the Memphis and Little Rock Railroad from the West side of the Saint Francis River in a point opposite the city of Little Rock, on the north bank of the Arkansas River, called "Argenta"—91110 miles—was accepted by the Department on the 5th of last March.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
The geological and geographical survey of the Territories of the United States, under the direction of this Department, and conducted by Professor F. V. Hayden, United States Geologist, has been continued during the past season with very satisfactory results. The section of country traversed by the survey lies in the central portion of Colorado Territory, lying between parallels 38° and 40° 20' north, and meridians 104° 30' and 107° west, comprising about 20,000 square miles. This area was divided into three districts, and the survey of each intrusted to a party of geologists and topographers. The northern district included the Middle Park; the middle district, the South Park; and the southern district, the San Luis Valley. The whole area, which is about 160 miles long by 130 wide, embraces the most interesting ranges of mountains and the largest group of lofty peaks yet explored on this continent. Besides the parties already referred to, three other parties were in the field, one of which carried on the primary triangulations from the summits of the most important peaks in the area of the survey. These several parties composed, altogether, a complete organization for the purposes of the survey.
A preliminary field-map was prepared last spring, based upon the land surveys made by this Department, which indicated those portions of our territorial domain which were least known, and which promised the most valuable results. The Held-work was commenced about the middle of May last, and the parties have all returned from the scene of their labors. The results of the survey are very satisfactory, and the collections in geology, botany, and natural history are as extensive and valuable as those of former surveys.
The geologist in charge requests a deficiency appropriation, to enable him to continue and complete the work of the year, and assigns the following reasons for the occurrence of the necessity for such an appropriation, viz:
The geological survey of the unknown portions of the national domain, especially in the mountainous localities, and those remote from routes of ordinary travel, involves a large expenditure for what is known as an "outfit." In former surveys the materials composing the "outfit" have been sold at the close of the season, for a fair percentage upon their cost; but, at the close of the present season, it was found that the "outfit" could not be sold except at a great sacrifice. It was, therefore, deemed advisable to retain the "outfit" for use during the season of 1874, should Congress authorize a continuation of the survey. The estimated value of the materials of said "outfit" is 820,000, and the geologist in charge deems an appropriation for that amount necessary to the completion of this season's Work.
In view of the importance to science and to the material interests of the country of the objects of the survey, I recommend the deficiency appropriation asked for, as well as the regular annual appropriation for its continuance.
THE YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK.
I deem it incumbent upon me to refer to the present unprotected condition of the Yellowstone National Park. No appropriation has yet been made for the purpose of opening the park to the public and of enabling this Department to carry into effect the necessary rules and regulations for its government. I am informed that the park has been visited during the past summer by many persons, and that it has been despoiled by them of great quantities of its mineral deposits and other curiosities.
A superintendent of the park was appointed in May, 1872, but there being no appropriation from which his compensation could be paid, his services have, necessarily, been gratuitous, and he could not be expected, under such circumstances, to reside permanently in the park. Applications have been made by various parties for permission to erect buildings and to construct roads within the park. The act of March 1, 1872, confers upon me the necessary authority to grant leases for building purposes; but no leases have been granted, for the reason that sufficient information has not been obtained as to the responsibility of the several applicants. It appears to me to be eminently proper that early steps should be taken by Congress for the protection of this great national wonder from the vandalism of curiosity hunters. This Department should not be held responsible for the condition of the park, so long as there is no money under its control applicable to the ends contemplated by the act of March 1, 1872. The boundaries of the park should be properly surveyed and located, as many persons desire to enter and settle upon public lands contiguous thereto.
CAPITOL.
The architect reports various repairs and improvements made in the Capitol during the past year. There have been provided large coal-vaults for each wing of the building; a fresh-air duct for the heating apparatus of the Senate wing, and a passenger-elevator for the same wing. The galleries of the hall of the House of Representatives have been rearranged, and new chairs and desks for that hall have been provided. The steam-boiler and heating-apparatus have been thoroughly repaired, and many committee-rooms have been refitted, painted, and improved. The architect recommends that while the defective portions of the rooms in the center building are being renewed, the improvements may be made in a tireproof manner by replacing the present wooden rafters with iron ones; also, that the remodeling and tlnishing of the rotuuda be made to harmonize with the vault and interior walls of the dome.
First street, which bounds the Capitol grounds on the west, has been paved from Pennsylvania avenue to Maryland avenue with cypress-wood pavement, and the curve at the southwest, from Maryland avenue to New Jersey avenue, is now being paved with granite blocks. Over one hundred thousand loads of earth have been deposited in the grounds south of the Capitol and on south B street. The Capitol grounds are now in a condition for laying out the interior walks and for planting, and the architect recommends the employment of a. competent land- scape gardener, under whose direction the grounds may be properly laid out and ornamented.
The architect reports that the buildings of the reform-school for the District of Columbia are nearly completed. The main building is so far advanced that portions of it are used as work~rooms. It is expected that said building will be completed before Congress conveues. The family building has been occupied since the middle of last winter.
EXTENSION OF CAPITOL GROUNDS.
Congress, at its last session, appropriated the sum of $284,199.15 wherewith to complete the purchase, by the United States, of the prop- erty embraced in squares 687 and 688, lying adjacent to the square East of the Capitol. The whole of said appropriation has been disbursed through the supreme court of the District of Columbia, and the title to the entire property above described is now vested in the United States. Under authority conferred by the act of March 3, 1873, those of the buildings and other improvements on said property which were not required for public use have been sold at public auction, and the mate- rials have nearly all been removed therefrom. It is expected that thetwo ‘remaining buildings on square 688 will be removed, and that all the materials yet remaining on both squares will be cleared away, before the meeting of Congress. Litigation may be necessary in order to con- clude the sale, at auction, of one of said buildings. I am unable, there- fore, to report the exact amount which will have been received from the sale of said improvements. The amount thus far received is $19,357.44, from which the sum of $3,619.80 has been paid for advertising, auc- tioneer fees, extra clerical labor, services of commissioners of appraise- ment, and the other expenses incident to the purchase of said squares and the sale of said improvements. When the whole expenses shall have been paid, the residue, which will approximate the sum of $1.7,000, will be applied to the improvement of the extension, as provided for by law.
This addition to the grounds surrounding the Capitol will bring them into greater harmony with the noble proportions of that building than has hitherto been the case, and when they shall have been properly laid out and ornamented, they will form an appropriate setting for the National Capitol.
PNEUMATIC TUBE.
Congress, on the 10th day of June, 1872, appropriated the sum of $15,000 for, the purpose of constructing a pneumatic tube to connect the Capitol with the Government Printing-Office, for the transmission of books, packages, &c., "the money to be expended under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, and the work to be done under the supervision of the architect of the Capitol extension." Pursuant to this provision of law, a contract for the construction of such tube was awarded by said architect on the 20th of June, 1872, and the same was approved by this Department. It was stipulated, in said contract, that the tube should be completed and ready for use on or before the 30th day of June, 1873; but, on the 26th of March last, a resolution was adopted by the Senate, directing me to report to that body, at its next session, all the information in my possession in regard to the non-completion of the tube, the amount expended in its construction, and other circumstances connected therewith. To enable me to answer the resolution intelligently, I designated Joseph Henry, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, O. E. Babcock, Superintendent of Public Buildings, and A. M. Clapp, Congressional Printer, as a committee to examine the work done and report to me their views in relation thereto. A copy of their report, together with a detailed statement of all the circumstances connected with the construction of the tube, will be laid before the Senate at its approaching session. The first attempt to lay the tube was unsuccessful, owing to various causes. The contractor, however, is now making another endeavor to construct such a tube as will accomplish the purposes intended, and informs me that the tube will, probably, be completed before the 1st of January next. His present operations are conducted at his own expense, so that no further appropriation by Congress will be necessary to its completion.
BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.
INSANE ASYLUM.
During the year ending June 30, 1873, there were under treatment at the Government Hospital for the Insane 762 patients, of whom 413 were from the Army and Navy, and 573 were males. Two hundred and one patients were admitted during said year; 66 were discharged as recovered, 24 as improved, and 7 as unimproved. The recoveries were 68 per cent. of the discharges including, and 46 per cent. excluding deaths. During the same period 45 patients died, leaving under treatment at the close of said year, 620 patients, of whom 468 were males. Sixty-nine of those treated during said year were private or pay-patients, of whom 24 were discharged, 4 were transferred to the list of indigent patients, and 41 remained under treatment at the close of the year. 3,348 persons, of whom 1,634 were native-born, have been treated in the hospital since it was opened. The general health of the hospital has been very good.
The expenditures for the past fiscal year amounted to $136,992.45 The amount received for board of private patients was $9,744.86, and that from the sale of live stock, &c., $2,247.51 The products of the farm and garden during the year were estimated as worth $17,763.25, and the value of the live stock, farm and garden implements, &c., belonging to the institution, is estimated at $16,418.20.
In addition to the regular expenditures for the supportof the hospital, there has been expended the sum of $37,800 in the erection of an extension of the wards for the excited class of patients, and $6,000 for heating boilers. There are new owned by the United States and devoted to the objects of the hospital a little upwards of 419 acres of land; 360 acres are embraced in one nearly complete parallelogram, and the remainder comprises a single tract, conveniently situated for grazing, or for the cultivation of the staple annual crops. The tract of 185 acres, originally purchased for the hospital, and within which its buildings are situate, is inclosed by a wall nine feet high, excepting on the river front.
The board of visitors submit the following estimates for the year ending June 30, 1875, viz:
For support of the institution, $140,785; for repairs and improvements, $15,000; for completing the river wall, and raising the boundary walls at their intersection with the former, $8,748; for the erection, furnishing, and fitting-up of an extension of the center building of the hospital, $35,956; for a coal vault in the rear of the east wing, 82,500; for the erection, furnishing, and fitting-up of an extension of the west detached building tor patients, $12,000, and to supply deficiencies for the current year, $11,366; a total of $226,355.
DEAF AND DUMB INSTITUTION
On the 1st instant there were 108 pupils in the Columbia Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, 34. of whom were received since July 1, 1872. Of these 60 have been in the collegiate department, representing seventeen States and the District of Columbia, and 48 in the primary department. One hundred and eight pupils have been under instruction since July 1, 1872, of whom 92 were males. Three students, having passed satisfactory examinations in the entire course of studies, received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. The health of the institution was excellent, not one death having occurred during the year.
The receipts for the support of the institution, during the last fiscal year, exceeded the disbursements 882139, as they did also for the improvement of the grounds, $1,626.19.
The board of directors report that, in completing the purchase of the Kendall Green property, toward which Congress, in 1871, appropriated the sum of $70,000, a balance of indebtedness remains, unprovided for, of $10,697.46. It had been hoped by the board that this amount could be raised by private subscription, but owing to the fact that the title to all the real estate of the institution is vested in the United State, this expectation, it is feared, will not be realized, as those who are called upon for subscriptions are disposed to decline aiding what has, practically, become a Government institution. No estimate of an appropriation for the amount is submitted by the board, but they invite attention to the indebtedness, representing the importance of securing the possession of this valuable property, and trust that Congress will be disposed to make an additional appropriation for the purpose.
The following estimates are submitted by the Board of Trustees for the ensuing fiscal year:
For support of the institution, salaries and incidental expenses, including $500 for books and illustrative apparatus, $49,500; and for continuing the work of erecting, furnishing, and fitting up of the buildings of the institution, in accordance with plans heretofore submitted to Congress, including necessary repairs to the completed portion thereof; $54,000; a total of $103,500. The directors state that the estimate of $54.000 for building purposes is greatly needed to complete the college building, and to provide for the erection of two houses for professors. The college building has been in an incomplete condition for nearly; seven years, and requires enlargement for the increasing wants of the institution. The plans submitted with the ninth report of the institution showed the necessity of ultimately erecting six dwelling houses for its officers, as it was considered to be to the interests of the institution for its officers to reside on the premises. Two of such dwelling houses have been built, and it is desirable to erect two more at present.
COLUMBIA HOSITAL FOR WOMEN.
During the last fiscal year 2,285 women received treatment at the Columbia Hospital for Women and Lying-in Asylum. Of these, 2,135 were received during the year, and 1,924 were out-door patients. Twelve hundred and seventeen were restored to health, 542 relieved, 104 discharged as incurable, 9 died, the results are not known in 296 cases, and 117 remained under treatment. Of the whole number treated, 401 were foreign born. The hospital has been remodeled, an additional story and a number of private rooms added, and a thorough system of sewerage, heating and ventilation of the building introduced. The wards and private rooms have been refurnished, and every comfort that can be desired for the sick has been supplied.
The estimates for the next fiscal year are as follows: For the support of the institution, $24,000, and for the erection of a stone wall around the western and northern portion of the grounds, with stone coping and iron railing, and for grading and graveling the grounds, $10,000; a total of $34,000. The directors state that the improvements for are necessary from the fact that the grounds north of the hospital building are twenty feet above the proper grade, and must be graded and terraced to render them serviceable.
NEW JAIL.
Considerable progress has been made during the year in the construction of a jail in and for the District of Columbia, authorized by an act of Congress approved June 1, 1872, to be erected under the supervision of the supervising architect of the Treasury Department, after plans and designs to be prepared by him and approved by a board of commissioners, composed of the Secretary of the Interior, the governor of the District of Columbia, and the chief justice of the supreme court of said District.
At a meeting of said board, held October 22, 1872, certain general plans, designs, and specifications, prepared by said supervising architect, were approved; and at a subsequent meeting, viz, on April 15, 1873, the supervising architect submitted the full working plans and specifications for the jail, which were approved by the board. Under authority conferred by the board, the supervising architect has, at various times, advertised for proposals for such materials .as were required in the construction of the jail, and contracts have been awarded to various parties, who were the lowest responsible bidders in each case, for rubble-stone, concrete, cement, sand, ironwork, and cut stone. In each instance the contracts referred to were authorized by the hoard of commissioners, and have been approved by at least a majority of its members. As the work progresses it will be necessary to award contracts for the necessary flagging, and for a galvanized iron cornice for the building.
The supervising architect reports that the foundation-walls have been laid, the superstructure built up to an average height of eleven feet, and about two-thirds of the necessary grading completed. He states that if no unforeseen difficulties occur, the building will probably_be completed within the current fiscal year.
The architect represents that, although the plans for the jail were prepared in view of the amount appropriated for the purpose, viz, $300,000, unexpected and unavoidable expenses have been incurred in grading the site for the building, and in building a wharf on the Anacostia River, amounting to upwards of $15,000, which amount he considers to be not properly chargeable to the appropriation for the erection of the jail, and should be refunded thereto; otherwise, an additional appropriation will become necessary. He also states that in order to keep the cost of the jail within the amount appropriated, he was compelled to provide in the specifications for a galvanized iron cornice; for wooden joists and floors to warden's office and chapel wing, and for timber framing and boarding to the roof, with a tin covering to the same. He expresses the opinion that the building should be constructed in a fire-proof manner; that the cornice should be of stone, and the roof-covering of slate, and states that in order to accomplish these ends and insure a. substantial fire-proof building, an additional appropriation of $100,000 will be necessary.
The supervising architect invites attention to the fact that the building, when completed, will be suitable, not only for the ordinary purposes of a jail, but, also, for those of a penitentiary; and, as the grounds surrounding it are of ample capacity, he strongly recommends that the necessary authority be obtained from Congress for its use as a penitentiary as well as a jail. He states that the additional expense would be comparatively small, as it would involve little more than the cost of the necessary work-shops, and the materials necessary for the construction of a wall to inclose the grounds, which could be entirely erected by the labor of the convicts. He is of the opinion that, if this suggestion were adopted, a large saving in the expense of the jail to the Government would be made, and that, in time, the use of convict labor would constitute a source of revenue to the District of Columbia. He also suggests the importance of providing a separate building for the detention and punishment of female prisoners, which should be under the exclusive charge of female officers. He states that experience has demonstrated that proper prison discipline is impossible when both sexes are confined in the same building, and that, if the reformation of female convicts be intended, they should be committed exclusively to the custody of their own sex. He recommends, therefore, that authority be asked of Congress for the erection of a house of correction for the punishment and reformation of female convicts.
The total expenditures on account of the construction of the jail, up tothe 30th ultimo, amounted to $95,022.60, leaving an unexpended balance of the appropriation of $204,977./40.
TERRITORIAL PENITENTIARIES.
Congress, by an act, approved February 22, 1873, appropriated the sum of $40,000, to be set apart and paid out of the net proceeds of the internal revenue in the Territory of Washington for the fiscal years severally ending on June 30, 1866, June 30, 1867, and June 30, 1868, for the purpose of erecting, under the direction of this Department, a penitentiary building in said Territory. The sum of $20,000 had been thus set apart and appropriated for the purpose by an act approved January 22, 1867, but that amount was found to be inadequate for the construction of a proper penitentiary, and an additional sum of 820,000 was asked for. The act of February 22, 1873, is amendatory of the former act, and provides the same amount for a penitentiary in Washington Territory as had been provided for such buildings in the other Territories.
A site for the building having been selected by the commissioners appointed by the legislative assembly of the Territory, and approved by this Department, immediate steps were taken for the erection of the building. Proposals were duly invited by public advertisement, and on the 26th of April last a contract for the erection of one wing of the building, in accordance with the plans adopted, was awarded to the lowest responsible bidder. Upon a careful comparison of the proposals it was found that but one wing of the penitentiary could be built within the amount appropriated. By the terms ot the contract the building is required to be completed by the 24th of November next, and the latest advices from the superintendent of construction indicate that such requirement will be fulfilled by the contractor. When the building is finished it will be delivered into the charge of the United States marshal for the Territory, pursuant to the provisions of section one of an act of Congress approved January 10, 1871. By a subsequent act approved January 24, 1873, Congress repealed so much of the former act as related to "placing the penitentiaries in the Territories of Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado under the care and control of the re spective United States marshals for said Territories," and transferred the care and custody of said penitentiaries to said Territories respectively. Inasmuch as the erection of the penitentiary for Washington Territory was not provided for until after the passage of the latter act, and as no reference to said penitentiary is made therein, its provisions are not applicable to that penitentiary, and the building will necessarily remain in the custody of the United States marshal until Congress shall otherwise direct, as in the cases above mentioned.
PUBLIC DOCUMENTS.
Frequent application is made to this Department, by officers of the Government authorized to receive them, for volumes of the United States Statutes and Wallace's Reports of the Supreme Court, to complete deficient sets in libraries and to furnish offices newly created. As the supply of the earlier volumes of the United States Statutes and of Wallace's Reports is entirely exhausted, the Department is and has been for some time past unable to furnish them. I would suggest that a sufficient amount be appropriated to furnish these documents, in order that requisitions for them in future may be filled.
In this connection, I beg to call your attention to the fact that tho _existing laws regulating the distribution of the standard public documents, such as the United States Statutes at Large, Wallace's Reports of the Supreme Court, the Official Register, and the Pamphlet Laws, are somewhat vague and indefinite in specifying the officers of the Government who are entitled to them. The experience of late years has also demonstrated that the number of copies of the before mentioned documents allotted to heads of Departments and Bureaus is altogether insufficient to meet the demands of the public business, and some increase should be made in these instances; especially should the number of copies of the United States Official Register ordered by law to be printed on the assembling of each new Congress be augmented to at least double the number now authorized, which is but 750 copies.
It is highly important that some action should be taken in this matter, with the view of collecting in one comprehensive act the duties as signed to this Department, in connection with the custody and distribution of public documents.
NEED OF ADDITIONAL ROOM FOR THE DEPARTMENT.
In closing this report I desire to invite special attention to the necessity for additional room for the accommodation of the several bureaus of the Interior Department. At the present time almost the entire clerical force of the Pension Bureau, with all its voluminous and valuable files and records, the entire Bureau of Education, and the Geological Survey, are located in buildings owned by private parties, and in the case of the former especially, in a building that is poorly protected from fire. The rapid growth in the business of the Patent-0ffice will, in a few years, if it does not already, require all of the room in the present Patent-0ffice building for its occupancy, and measures should be taken at an early day to provide for the accommodation of the other bureaus of the Department in a suitable fire-proof building.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant.
Secretary.
P A P E R S ACCOMPNAYING
THE REPORT OF SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF THE GENERAL LAND-
OFFICE.
Sir: I have the honor to submit the following as an abstract of my annual report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1873, viz:
| Acres | |
| Disposal of public lands by ordinary cash sales. | 1,626,266.03 |
| Military bounty-land. warrant, loontions under sots of 1847,1850,1852,and 1855 | 214,940.00 |
| Homestead entries | 3,793,612.52 |
| Agricultural college sorip locations | 653446.41 |
| Certified to railroads | 6,083,536.57 |
| Certified for wagon-roads | 76,576.82 |
| Lands approved to the States as swamp | 238,548.65 |
| Certified for agricultural colleges | 10,223.29 |
| Certified for common schools | 76,909.17 |
| Certified for universities | 51,228.69 |
| Certified for seminaries | 320.00 |
| Internal improvement selections approved to States | 190,775.76 |
| Sioux half-breed scrip locations | 7,515.47 |
| Chippewa half-breed scrip locations | 6,707.49 |
| Total | 13,030,606.87 |
| Disposals of previous year | 11,864,975.64 |
| Increased disposal | 1,165,631.23 |
| Cash receipts under various heads | $3,408,515.50 |
| Total area of the land States and Territories | 1,834,998,400 |
| Surveyed within the fiscal year ending June 30, 1873 | 30,488,132 |
| Previously surveyed | 586,066,763 |
| Total surveyed to June 30, 1873 | 616,554,895 |
| Leaving yet to be surveyed | 1,218,443,605 |
List of papers composing the annual report of the Commissioner of the General Land-Office.
1. Surveys of public lands, showing the progress made at the close of the last fiscal year, giving a statement of appropriations made for the surveying service during the same time, and submitting estimates for said service during the present fiscal year.
2. Surveys of Indian reservations.
3. Statement of progress of surveys on State and territorial boundaries.
4. Of pre-emption laws, and rulings under the same, recommending a repeal of the pre-emption laws.
5. Sioux Indian reservation.
6. Cherokee strip in Kansas.
7. Bound Valley Indian reservation in Montana.
8. Homestead law; operations under the same, and recommending amendments.
9. Graduated lands; relief for suspended entries under recent confirmatory act of Congress.
10. Useless military reservations.
11. Offerings of public lands.
12. Educational land bounty.
13. Timber depredations; showing the action of this Office to prevent the same.
14. Railroads; progress of transcontinental lines, and of roads in States and Territories to which subsidies in land have been granted.
15. Operations under the mining laws.
16. Goal lands; rules and regulations under the act March 3, 1873.
17. Private land claims.
18. List of surveyors-general and land-offices.
19. Reports of the surveyors-general, from A to Q.
Tabular statements accompanying Commissioners annual report.
No. 1. Tabular statements showing the number of acres of public land surveyed in the States and Territories at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1873; also the total area of the public lands remaining unsurveyed at that date.
No. 2. Statement of public lands sold; of cash and bounty-land scrip received therefor; number of acres entered under the homestead law of May 20, 1862; of commissions received under the sixth section of said act; also, land located with scrip under the agricultural college and mechanic act of July 2, 1862, and commissions received by registers and receivers on the value thereof; and statement of incidental expenses thereon in the first half of the fiscal year commencing July 1, 1872, and ending June 30, 1873.
No. 3. Statement showing like particulars for the second half of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1873.
No. 4. Summary for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1873, showing the number of acres disposed of for cash; for bounty-land scrip; by entry under the homestead laws of May 20 1862, March 21, 1864, and June 21, 1866, with aggregate of $5 and $10 homestead payments; homestead commissions; also, locations with agricultural college and mechanic scrip under act of July 2, 1862.
No. 5. Statement showing the quantity of swamp lands selected for the several States under acts of Congress approved March 2, 1849, September 28, 1850, and March 12, 1860, to September 30, 1873.
No. 6. Statement exhibiting the quantity of swamp land approved to the several States under acts named in table No. 5 to September 30, 1873.
No. 7. Statement exhibiting the quantity of swamp land patented to the several States under acts approved September 28, 1850, and March 12, 1860- also, the quantity certified to the State of Louisiana under act approved March 2, 1849.
No. 8. Statement showing the State selections under the internal improvement grant of September 4, 1841, to the 30th June, 1873.
No. 9. Exhibit of bounty-land warrant business under acts of 1847, 1850, 1852, and 1855, showing the issues and locations from the commencement of operations under said acts to June 30, 1873.
No. 10. Statement showing the selections made by certain States of lands within their own limits under the agricultural college and mechanic act of July 2, 1862, and supplemental acts of April 14 1864, and July 23 1866; also, the locations made with scrip under said acts.
No. 11. Statement exhibiting land concessions by acts of Congress to States for canal purposes from the year 1827 to June 30, 1873.
No. 12. Statement exhibiting land concessions by acts of Congress to States and corporations for railroad and military wagon-road purposes from the year 1850 to June 30, 1873.
No. 13. Estimate of appropriations required for the office of the Commissioner of the General Land-Office, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875.
No. 14. Estimates of appropriations required to meet expenses of collecting the revenue from sales of public lands in the several States and Territories for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875.
No. 15. Estimates of appropriations for the surveying department for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875.
No. 16. Estimates of appropriations required for surveying the public lands for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875.
No. 17. Table showing the time when the various railroad rights attach to the lands granted so far as at present determined.
No. 18. Connected map of the United States from ocean to ocean, exhibiting the extent of surveys, land districts, seats of surveyors general and district land-offices; also, localities of railroads of general interest.
During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1873 there were received 56,109 letters, and 48,965 were written and recorded. Forty-five thousand three hundred and seventy-eight patents were written and recorded.
It will be seen, by reference to the foregoing statements, that 30,488,132.83 acres of land were surveyed during the last fiscal year. The amount surveyed for the fiscal year ending June 30 1870, was 18,165,278 acres. These figures show an increase of 12,322,844.83 acres in the annual survey since I assumed the control of the Office.
The disposals of public land under various heads, for the last fiscal year, amounted to 13,030,606.87 acre . The disposal for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1870, was 8,095,413 acres, showing an increase of 4 935 193.87 acres.
Notwithstanding this increase in the survey and sale of lands, which involves a corresponding increase in the work of this Office, I have thus far been able to transact the current business, and largely reduce the vast accumulation of unfinished work which I found on assuming control of the Office, and to which I have alluded in previous reports, and the work of the Office is now well advanced in most of its branches. The adjustment of ex parte homestead and pre-emption cases is now kept up to current dates. The number of contested eases awaiting adjustment has been much reduced, but, owing to the insufficiency of the clerical force, this class of work still remains somewhat in arrears When I took charge of the Office there was a large accumulation of California private land claims unadjusted. This accumulation has been removed and, at this time, only four cases are awaiting examination.
Notwithstanding the satisfactory progress thus far made in bringing up arrearages, the business of the Ollice is increasing so rapidly as to justify the conclusion that present arrearages cannot be brought up and the current business of the Office transacted promptly without a thorough reorganization and increase of the clerical force of this bureau. I therefore respectfully, but earnestly, renew the recommendations made by me on this point in my last annual report.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
The Hon. Secretary of the Interior.
Sir: The surveys of public lands of the United States, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1873, were as follows: Minnesota, 2,399,136.81 acres; Kansas, 3,464,229.04 acres; Nebraska, 4,417,397.66 acres; California, 1,226,784,725 acres; Nevada, 1,254,731.59 acres; Oregon, 1,319,140.6S acres; Washington Territory, 1,360,451.00 acres; Colorado Territory, 98,401.12 acres; Utah Territory, 45,593.83 acres; Arizona Territory, 302,900.15 acres; New Mexico Territory, 391,341.22 acres; Dakota Territory, 2,295,399.20 acres; Idaho Territory, 646,586.47 acres; Montana Territory, 1,473,917.75 acres; Wyoming Territory, 1,193,395.S8 acres; Louisiana, 172,377.96 acres; Florida, 7 30,103.68 acres; Indian Territory, 4,996,243.97 acres; total, 30,488,132.83, which, added to the amount surveyed prior to that time, makes an aggregate of 616,554,895 acres, surveyed since the commencement of operations under the present system, leaving an estimated area of 1,218,443,506 acres unsurveyed.
The following table exhibits the progress of surveys and the disposal of public lands since the fiscal year ending June 30, 1863:
| Fiscal year ending June 30 | Surveying District | Land offices. | Cost of Survey. | No. of acres surveyed | No. of acres disposed of. |
| 1864 | 10 | 53 | $172,906 00 | £315,954 | 3,238,865.00 |
| 1865 | 10 | 53 | 170,721 00 | 4,161,778 | 4,513,738.00 |
| 1866 | 10 | 61 | 186,389 88 | 4,961,091 | 4,629,312.00 |
| 1867 | 12 | 62 | 423,416 22 | 10,808,314 | 7,041,114.00 |
| 1868 | 13 | 68 | 325,779 56 | 10,176,656 | 6,665,742.00 |
| 1869 | 12 | 66 | 497,471 00 | 10,822,812 | 7,666,151.00 |
| 1870 | 17 | 8l | 500,210 00 | 18,105,278 | 8,095,413.00 |
| 1871 | 17 | 83 | 683.910 00 | 22,016,607 | 10,765,705.00 |
| 1872 | 17 | 92 | 1,019,378 66 | 29,450,939 | 11,864,975.64 |
| 1873 | 17 | 90 | 1,217,731 67 | 30,488,132 | 13,030,606.87 |
This shows an increase of the number of surveyors-general from ten to seventeen, and of land-offices from fifty-three to ninety, and an increase in the annual survey from 4,315,954 acres to 30,488,132 acres, and an increase in the number of acres disposed of from 3,238,865.00 to 13,030,606.87, the amount disposed of during the year ending June 30, 1873.
The following appropriations for surveys were made by Congress for the present fiscal year: Florida, $12,000; Louisiana, $18,000; Minnesota, $50,000; Dakota Territory, $80,000; Nebraska, $60,000; Kansas, $60,000; Colorado Territory, $80,000; New Mexico Territory, $30,000; Arizona Territory, $20,000; Utah Territory,$25,000; Wyoming Territory, $50,000; Montana Territory, $60,000; Idaho Territory $30,000; Nevada, $50,000; California, $90,000; Oregon, $70,000; and Washington Territory, $70,000. The estimates for the ensuing fiscal year are as follows: Florida, $15,000; Louisiana, $22,000; Minnesota, 840,000; Dakota Territory, $80,000; Nebraska, $60,000; Kansas,$89,700; Colorado Territory, $80,000; New Mexico Territory, $40,000; Arizona Territory, 030,000; Utah Ter ritory, $30,000; Wyoming Territory, $60,000; Montana Territory, $60,000; Idaho Territory, $40,000; Nevada, $60,000; California, $00,000; Oregon, $70,000; and Washington Territory, $70,000.
2.-SURVEYS OF INDIAN RESERVATIONS.
Pursuant to treaty stipulations and the sixth section of the act of Congress approved April 2, 1864, (Stats. at Large, vol. 13, p. 41,) which devolve the duty of surveying Indian reservations on the Commissioner of the General-Land Office, surveys were made during the last fiscal year as follows:
| Date of treaty | Indian reservations. | Locality of lands. | Extent of surveys in acres | Contract let by— | Remarks |
| July 19,1866 | Cherokee, Creek, and Seminole | Indian Ter | 4,22,298,00 | Comm'r General Land-Office. | |
| June 14,1866 | |||||
| Mar. 21,1866 | |||||
| Senecas | do | Surveyor - general of Kansas | Remarking boundaries | ||
| Feb. 27,1867 | Pottawatomie | do | 573,945.16 | Comm'r General Land Office | Survey into forty acre tracts. |
| Feb.22.1855 | Fond du Lac | Minnesota | 12,194.73 | Surveyor - General Minnesota. | |
| Feb.22,1855 | Chippewas of the Mississippi and of the Red Lake. | do | do | Surv of Boundaries. | |
| Oct. 2, 1863 | |||||
| Oct. 2, 1863 | Chippewas of the Red Lake, and Pembina Indians. | do | do | do | Do. |
| Mar. 11,1863 | The Pillager,Winebigoshish,and Leech Lake. | do | do | Do. | |
| Mar. 20, 1865 | |||||
| Mar. 19, 1867 | White Earth | do | do | ||
| Apr. 19, 1858 | Yakton Sioux | Dakota | Surveyor-General, Dakota. | Survey into forty-acre tracts | |
| June 9,1863 | Nez Perce | Idaho | 55,536.44 | Surveyor General, Idaho | Survey into twenty-acre tracts |
| The Bannock and Fort Hall. | do | do | Survey of boundaries | ||
| Sept. 30, 1854 | La Pointe or Bad River | Winsconsin | 5,912.43 | Surveyor-general, Minnesota | Survey into eighty-acre tracts |
| Feb. 18,1867 | Sac and Fox of Missouri | Kansas and Nebraska | 14,411.08 | Surveyor-General, Kansas | Do. |
| Mar. 15, 1854 | Otoes and Missourias. | do | 48,430.06 | do | Do. |
| Sept.24, 1857 | Pawnee | Nebraska | 48,430.06 | do | Do. |
| June 15,1855 | Warm Springs | Oregon | 26,205.77 | do | |
| Nov. 15, 1865 | Klamath | do. | 89,032.21 | Surveyor-General, Oregon. | |
| Oct. 14, 1864 | Coast Range | do | 9,005.44 | do | |
| Flathead, &c. | Montana | 215,907.08 | Surveyor-general,Montana | Act March 3,1873 |
3.-STATE AND TERRITORIAL BOUNDARIES.
1. The eastern boundary of California.—Partial returns have been made by Allexey W. Von Schmidt, contractor, showing the completion of that part of the line between the north shore of Lake Tahoe and the forty-second parallel of north latitude. He also reports the completion of that part of the line between Lake Tahoe and the Colorado River of the West, and that he is now engaged in the preparation of maps, &c.
2. The northern boundary of Nevada.—The Held-work of this survey has been completed by Daniel G. Major, contractor, but the returns have not yet been received.
3. The southern boundary of Wyoming.—The survey of this line is being prosecuted in the field, but no returns have been received.
4. The western boundary of Wyoming.—Under the appropriation of $13,800, made by act of Congress approved March 3, 1873, the contract for the survey of this land has been let to Alonzo V. Richards.
5. The western boundary of Kansas.— The survey of this line has been completed, and the returns made and approved.
6. The northern boundary of Nebraska.—The contract for the survey of this line has been let, but owing to a fear on the part of the Indian Office that the prosecution of the work would excite the Indians and lead to difficulties operations in the field have been delayed.
7. The Washington and Idaho boundary line.—The contract for the survey of this line was let on the 2d day of June, 1873, but no report of progress made by the contractors has been received.
8. The northern part of the eastern boundary of New Mexico and the eastern part of the southern boundary of Colorado.—Under the appropriation made by act of Congress approved March 3, 1873, the contract for the survey of these lines has been let to John J. Major, but returns have not been received.
4.-PRE-EMPTIONS.
The general pre-enption laws of September 4, 1841, March 3, 1843, March 3, 1853, and March 27, 1854, remain in force. The following act, entitled "An act for the relief of settlers on the late Sioux Indian reservation in the State of Minnesota," was approved February 24, 1873:
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That all actual settlers who have duly filed their declaratory statements under the pre-emption laws, with the register of the proper local land-office, upon the unsold lands now included within the limits of the late Sioux Indian reservation in the State of Minnesota, shall he allowed until the first day of March, anno Domini eighteen hundred and seventy-four, in which to make proof and payment for their claims.
March 3, 1873, "An act authorizing joint entry by pre-emption settlers, and for other purposes," was approved, and March 31 the following circular to the district land-office containing the law and instructions for its execution was issued by this Office:
To Registers and Receivers: Gentlemen: Your attention is hereby called to the following note of Congress,:approved March 3,1873, and entitled "An act authorizing joint entry by pre-emption settlers, and for other purposes."
"Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That when settlements have been made upon agricultural public lands of the United States prior to the survey thereof, and it has been or shall be ascertained, after the public surveys have been extended over such lands, that two or more settlers have improvements upon the same legal subdivision, it shall be Lawful for such settlers To make joint entry of their lands at the local land-office or for either of said settlers to enter into contract with his co-settlers to convey to them their portion of said lands after a patent is issued to him, and after making said contract, to file declaratory statements in his own name, and prove up and pay for said land, and proof of joint occupation by himself and others, and of such contract with them made shall be equivalent to Proof of sole occupation and pre-emption by the applicant: Provided, That in no case the amount patented under this not exceed one hundred and sixty acres, nor shall this act apply to lands not subject to homestead or pre-emption entry.
"Sec. 2. That effect shall be given to this act by regulations to be prescribed by the Commissioner of the General Land-Office.
"Approved March 3, 1873."
Concerning your duties in the administration of the aforesaid act I have to advise you as follows, to wit:
When the survey in the field finds two or more settlers with improvements on the same legal subdivision, o joint entry thereof will be allowed as heretofore:
If they so elect, however they may contract by and between themselves only that one of them may file for and enter the whole of such tract, and, after a patent is issued therefor to him, convey to the others their portion of sold land.
Under the last-named provision it is necessary that the said contract be made first, and that the tiling and entry shall both be made in pursuance thereof.
This contract must be made in signed by all parties thereto, attested by two disinterested witnesses, and acknowledged before some officer authorized to take acknowledgments of deeds within and for the State where the land is situated. The character and authority of the officer must be verified by the seal of a court of record. You will make no reference to the contract until the party seeks to make actual entry, when you will require the original paper if the same as been placed upon the records of the county, a duly certified copy thereof under seal will he sufficient.
You will require such proof of occupation by settlement,residence, and improvement, by each and every party to said contract, as would be sufficient under the former practice to justify a joint entry. Their good faith and compliance with law must be fully proven.
The proviso to section one is held to mean that not more than one hundred and sixty acres or a technical quarter-section, as allowed under the pre-emption laws, shall be ingluded in any one entry. An inconsiderable excess, when the tract is bounded by regular quater-section lines, will be permitted.
The act does not specify what improvements a settler must have on a legal subdivision, partly occupied by another, to entitle him to a joint entry, It is held, however, that each must have improvements of value, an dnot merely of a nominal character or ex, warrant a proceeding under this act.
The pre-emption affadavit as written on page 17 in circular of August 30, 1872, will be amended, in cases where entry is made under this act, by inserting utter the word "whomsoever," in the ninth (9th) line, the words "save under the act of March 3, 1873, and as specified in the contract herewith submitted in pursuance thereof."
You will in each case forward, with the entry papers, to this Office said original contract, or the certified copy from record as aforesaid.
You will perceive that the set refers only to pre-emptors on agricultural lands; and the word "homestead" in the last line of the proviso to the lint section is used only in a descriptive sense. You will also observe that where either or any of the parties settle "after" survey no joint entry or proceeding under this act can be had. Respectfully,
Prior to said act, when two or more settlers were found, on survey in the field, with valuable improvements on the some smallest legal subdivision of forty acres, they were allowed, under rulings of the Department, to make joint entry of such tracts when such a course constituted the only equitable method of adjustment. Under this act settlers may unquestionably proceed with more certainty and avoid litigation, after issue of patent, in the matter of a division of the land so jointly entered.
An act entitled "An act to authorize pro-emptors or settlers upon homesteads on the public land to alienate portions of their pre-emptions or homesteads for certain public purposes," was approved March 3, 1873, and is as follows, to wit:
Be it enacted, &c., That any person who has already settled or hereafter may settle on the public lands of the United States, either by premption or by virtue of the homestead law or any amendments thereto, shell have the right to transfer by warranty, against his or her own acts, any portion of his or her said pre-emption or homestead for church, cemetery, or school purposes, or for the right of way of railroads across such pre-emption or homestead, an the transfer for such public purposes shall in no way vitate the right to complete and perfect the title to their pre-emptions or home-steads.
The periods within which settlers under the pre-eruption laws must file their declaratory statements and make final proof and payment for their claims remain the some as at date of my lost report.
The district land-officers are instructed to permit no pre-emption entry to be consummated until three months from and after the date of filing the township plat of survey in the district office shall have expired. Said period of three months is given pre-emptors who settle prior to the filing of the township plat, by statute, in which to file their declaratory statements.
The seventh section of the act of July 23, 1868 "An act to quiet landtitles in California," has received new and more liberal construction by the Department proper. Said section provides—
That where persons in good faith and for a valuable consideration have purchased lands of Mexican grantees or assigns, which grants have subsequently been rejected, or where the lands so purchased have been excluded from the final survey of any Mexican grant, and have used, improved and continued in the actual possession of the same as according to the lines of the original purchase, and where no valid adverse right or title (except of the United States) exists, such purchasers may purchase the same, after having such lands surveyed under existing laws, at the minimum price establish by law, &c
In case of Sanford E. Wilson's application to purchase certain lands under said section, the Hon. Secretary of the Interior decided in substance—following the doctrine laid down by the Supreme Court of the United States in case of Myers vs. Croft, (113 Wallace, 291)—that the right of purchase secured thereby is alienable and descends to the heirs upon the death of the purchaser: Prior to said decision the contrary doctrine prevailed.
In case of L. H. Buscom vs. Moses Davis, in which Davis is a claimant under said seventh section, the Hon. Secretary of the Interior decides, in substance, that when parties bring themselves in other respects within the law, but fail to show use, improvement, and possession of all the land as according to the lines of their original purchase they may purchase from the Government such portion of their original purchase as they have had in actual possession. These decisions constitute the precedents on which similar cases will hereafter be adjudicated.
Pursuant to my former recommendations, a bill for the repeal of the preemption laws received favorable action from both Houses of Congress of the last session, but at so late n date in the House of Representatives that the Senate was unable to act upon some slight amendments by the House, and it therefore foiled to become a law.
The many frauds which occur under the preemption laws, almost universally in the interest of speculators; the fact that most liberal terms are provided under the homestead laws for such as desire to obtain title to the public lands in good faith for purposes of actual settlement and cultivation; that actual inhabitancy and improvement are worth more to the country than the excess of revenue derived from the sole to preemptors; that the policy of the Government is that these lands should be occupied, improved, and made to augment the productions of the country, and that under the pre-emption laws this object is substantially defeated, impel me, in view of the magnitude of the interests involved, to again urge the repeal of the several pre-emption acts, so that those who wish to obtain title to the public lands us actual settlers may be required to do so under the homestead laws.
5.—SIOUX RESERVATION.
The following act, entitled "An act for the relief of settlers on the into Sioux Indian reservation in the State of Minnesota," was approved February 24, 1873:
Be it enacted &c., That all actual settlers who have duly filed their declaratory statements under the pre-emption laws with the register of the proper local land-office upon the unsold lands now included within the limits of the late Sioux Indian reservation in the State of Minnesota, shall be allowed until the first day of March, anno Domini eighteen hundred and seventy-four, in which to make proof and payment for their claims.
6—CHEROKEE STRIP IN KANSAS.
The set approved May 11, 1872 to carry out certain provisions of the Cherokee treaty of 1866, and for the relief of settlers on the Cherokee lands in the State, of Kansas, recognized settlements existing at the date of said act, and such as should be made within one year thereafter; One year from the date of the approval by the Secretary of the Interior of the acceptance of the provisions of the act by the Cherokee national counc11,or a duly authorized delegation therefrom, was given for payment to settlers at the date of the act, and one year from date of settlement when the same was made subsequent to the approval of the act. By instructions from this Office three months from notice mi settlement were allowed each claimant to file his declaratory statement. The period in which settlement was thus authorized expired May' 11, 1873, and the time allowed for filing declaratory statements on the latest settlements ended August 11, 1873. Under said act there had been entered at the Independence and Wichita land offices prior to September 1, 1873, 83,732.27 acres. There had been 1,416 declaratory statements filed at said offices August 11, 1873. The area of land embraced in said filings is not known. If each filing represents 160-acres, the total area filed for would be 226,560 acres. Inasmuch, however, as very many claims embraced less than 160 acres, the area actually covered by declaratory statements will doubtless be much less than said amount. The area which will be entered under the aforesaid provisions cannot be known prior to the receipt of the district landofficers returns for May, 1874; But one town-site entry, that of Coffeyville, has been made on said lands.
7.-ROUND VALLEY INDIAN RESERVATION, IN MONTANA.
No entries have been made under the not of June 5, 1872, entitled "An act to provide for the removal of the Flathead and other Indians from the Bitter Root Valley, in- the Territory of Montana."
By the terms of the act, Indians who at its passage were actually residing upon and cultivating any portion of said lands were allowed to remain in said valley and preempt without cost the land so occupied to the extent of 160 acres. The superintendent of Indian affairs in Montana not having furnished a list of said Indians so entitled, and whose claims must be ascertained before a disposition of lands to other claimants, the execution of the act is necessarily suspended.
The land has been surveyed, instructions furnished to the district land-officers, and nothing which this Office can do in the premises is wanting to carry the law into effect.
8.—HOMESTEAD LAW.
The demand for lands by actual settlers under the homestead law continues very large.
During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1373, 31,246 preliminary entries were made, covering an. area of 3,752,3417.26 acres. The number of final entries was 9,894, being an increase in final entries of 4,115 over the preneding fiscal year.
This law, with some slight amendments, would meet all the requirements and necessities of actual settlers, and I again respectfully renew my recommendation for a complete consolidation of all statutes respecting settlement rights into a general homestead law. A bill for that purpose met with favorable action from both Houses of the last Congress, but owing to a slight amendment, as to the time when it should take effect, by the House, on the last day of the session, in which the Senate had not time to concur, it failed to become a law.
9.—GRADUATED LANDS.
Since my last annual report Congress has passed the following act, confirming entries made under the not of August 4, 1854, graduating the price of public lands:
AN ACT to confirm certain entries of land therein named.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representanives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That all entries of public lands under the act to graduate and reduce the price of the public lands subject to entry to actual settlers and cultivators approved the fourth day of August, eighteen hundred and fifty-four, made prior to the passage of this act, in which the purchaser has made the affidavit and paid or tendered the purchase-money as required by said act, and the instructions issued and in force and in the hands of the register at the time of making said entry, are hereby legalized, and patents shall issue to the parties, respectively, provided that in case of tender the money shall be paid, excepting those entries under said act which the Commissioner of the General Land Office may ascertain to have been fraudulently or evasively made: Provided, That this act shall not be so construed as to confirm any of said entries which have heretofore been annulled and vacated by said Commissioner on account of fraud, evasion of law, or other special cause: And provided further, That nothing herein contained shall be so construed as to deprive any actual settler and cultivator of his right to any land on which he resided at the time of on entry by another person under the act to which this is an amendment.
Approved February 17. 1873.
Under this confirmatory act a large number of entries previously suspended, because of the failure of parties to make the required proof of settlement and cultivation, have been relieved from suspension, and patents are being delivered upon application in proper form.
10.—USELESS MILITARY RESERVATIONS.
The act of Congress of February 24, 1871, provided for the disposition of the lands embraced in certain military reservations abandoned by the War Department, viz: Fort Lane, Oreg., estimated area 640 acres; Fort Walla-NVa11a, Wash., 1,920 acres; Fort Jesup, La., 6,400 acres; Fort Sabine, La., 18,200 acres; Fort Smith, Ark., 306 acres; Fort Wayne, Ark., 11,680 acres; Fort Zarah, Kaus., 3,068 acres; Fort Abercrombie, Minn., 6,993 acres; Camp McGarry, Nev., 75 square miles; Fort Sumner, N. Mex., 21§- square miles; and so much of Fort Bridger, Wyo., as might be no longer required for military purposes.
At the date of my last annual report, proceedings under said act were suspended for want of an appropriation to meet the necessary expenses. The necessary appropriation having been made by act of Congress approved March 3, 1873, proper measures have been taken to bring the lands embraced in said reservations into market, with the exception of Fort Walla-Walla, Wash., which has again passed under the jurisdiction of the War Department, it having been found necessary to resume the use of it as a military post.
ll.—OFFERINGS OF PUBLIC LANDS.
During the last fiscal year public offerings of valuable timber lands in the State of Minnesota were made, pursuant to proclamation of the President, at Saint Cloud, embracing the public lands in 113 townships, at Taylor's Falls, embracing the public lands in 10 townships; at Litchfield, embracing the public lands in 105 townships; and at Duluth, embracing the public lands in 49 townships.
12—EDUCATIONAL LAND-BOUNTY.
The selections certified for common schools during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1873, amounted to 76,909.17 acres, an for seminaries 320 acres. The selections certified for agricultural colleges amounted to 15,976.21. The locations of agricultural college scrip by assignees of the States to which the same was issued, reported during the year cover an area of 653,446.41. Since my last annual report agricultural college scrip representing 240,000 acres has been issued to the States of Arkansas and Florida. This exhausts the amount which Congress authorized.
13.—TIMBER DEPREDATIONS.
In administering the laws for disposing of the public lands, the depredations committed on the timber growing thereon has received attention. It is. held that the United States, as owner of the lands, has all the legal means of protecting the timber which individuals enjoy in like cases. The act of Congress of March 2, 1831, as construed by the Supreme Court makes the depredating on such timber a criminal offense, punishable with line and imprisonment. The extent of the evil at an early period induced special efforts by the executive authority for its correction. In 1855 the matter was placed in charge of this Office for its supervision. The duty was imposed on the registers and receivers of the district land-offices to act as timber agents, without additional compensation, in their respective land-districts. When reliable information reaches them that spoliation of public timber is committed, their instructions require them to investigate the matter, to seize all timber found to have been cut without authority on the public land, to sell the same to the highest bidder at public auction, and deposit the proceeds in the Treasury. They are to bring the offense committed to the attention of the proper officers that the perpetrator may be arrested and held to answer as usual in criminal cases. In these proceedings, however, the purpose in view being merely to protect the rights of the Government, and not to indulge in vindictive prosecutions, due regard is had to the circumstances of each case; and, when these justify so doing, the district officers are authorized to compromise with the parties, on their paying any costs incurred and a reasonable stumpage for the timber, which is then released, and prosecution waived. By this course, although depredations continue, yet they are checked to some extent, and that without cost, it being made a rule that the expenses incurred shall not be permitted to exceed the money realized for the Treasury from the sales of timber seized, and stumpage paid in compromised cases.
14.—RAILROADS.
In the adjustment of land-grants for railroad purposes considerable progress has been made. In July 1872, a division was organized to which all questions growing out of, the adjustment of railroad grants are referred for examination. Prior to that time these questions had been adjusted in connection with other branches of business. This resulted in complications and delays which are obviated by the new arrangement.
The examination of settlers' claims in conflict with those of railroad companies forms a. large part of the business of the new division. Under the ruling of the Department made in 1871, known as the Boyd decision, this class of claims is largely increased.
By the former practice of treating all reversions of alternate sections within railroad limits as inuring to railroads, the only question relating to settlement likely to arise was determined lay the date of its inception. If the settlement was made prior to withdrawl, and the requirements of the preemption law had been complied with, the claimant was permitted to acquire title. Upon his abandonment, at any period, of his right, the land passed to the use of the grant.
But since that decision the adjustment is no longer narrowed to the question of the right of the first settler or homestead claimant, to consummate title. The time when the right of the railroad attached must be ascertained and the right of the parties is to be determined by the exact status of the land at that time. If the party originating the claim still holds the right to consummate title, he is permitted to make an entry. If, however, he abandoned his claim prior to the time the railroad right attached, the lands are awarded to the railroad when it fully complies with the conditions of the grant. If the abandonment was subsequent to such time the land reverts to the United States and is again subject to appropriation under the preemption and homestead awe.
Hearings for the investigation of these conflicting claims have accordirgly been ordered, and trials are in constant progress before district officers for their settlement. Upward of eleven hundred cases of conflict have been entered upon the dockets of this Office, of which about one-half have been decided during the year, and about one hundred have been examined and remanded for further hearing, the testimony not being sufficiently explicit to justify an award.
The Supreme Court of the United States, at the late December term, decided, in the case of the Kansas Pacific Railway Company vs. John H. Prescott, that the requirement of the act of July 2, 1864, providing for the payment of the costs of survey, extends to the lands granted by act of July 1, 1862, within ten miles of the Pacific Railroad and branches. Modified instructions to meet this construction of the law have been issued.
During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1873, 6,083,536 acres of land have been certified for railroad purposes, an increase over the amount certified the previous year of 2,528,649 acres.
The records of the Office show an aggregate construction of two thousand two hundred and seventy-eight miles of road, distributed as follows: in Michigan, one hundred and eighty-six miles; Wisconsin eighty-nine miles; Iowa, fifty miles; Minnesota, seven-hundred and twelve miles; Missouri, ninety-seven miles; Kansas, four hundred and sixty-four miles; Arkansas, two hundred and forty miles; California, forty miles; Colorado, two hundred and forty-five miles; Indian Territory, one hundred and fifty five miles; total as above, two thousand two hundred and seventy-eight miles.
Portions of the roads included in the foregoing report of construction were actually completed prior to the commencement of the last fiscal year. This report will be understood as referring more particularly to the official record of construction, and to the acceptance by the proper authorities, the evidence of which has been received at this Office since my last annual report, and consequently was not included therein. During the previous year the reports show a constructed length of one thousand seven hundred sud forty-three miles of road, a difference in favor of the latter year of five hundred and thirty-five miles. The policy of extending aid to railroad enterprise by national legislation having been restricted by the caution of Congress during the last few years, the aggregate of definite location of new roads is not as great as in former years. The reports show the definite location of three hundred and twenty-three miles during the fiscal year, of which two hundred miles are of the Northern Pacific Railroad, in the Territory of Dakota
In their appropriate place in this report will he found carefully prepared tables, showing the condition of the adjustment for the various land-grunt roads up to the close of the decal year.
15.—OPERATION UNDER THE MINING LAWS.
Since the date of my last report the fifth section of the mining act, of May 10, 1872, has been amended, and the following circular issued: "The following is an act of Congress approved March 1, 1873, (17 Stat., 483:)
"'AN ACT to amend an act entitled "An act to promote the development of the mining resources of the United states."
"'Be it enacted by the Senate and and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the provisions of the fifth section of the act entitled "An act to promote the development of the mining resources of the United States." passed May tenth, eighteen hundred seventy-two, which requires expenditures of labor an improvements on claims located prior to the the passage of said act, are hereby so amended that the time for the first annual expenditure on claims located prior to the passage of said act shall be extended to the tenth day of June,eighteen hundred and seventy-four'
"By this legislation the requirements of the fifth section of the act of May 10, 1872, are changed by extending the time for the first annual expenditure upon claims located prior to May 10, 1872, to June 10 1874.
"The requirements in regard to expenditures upon claims located since May 10, 1872, are in no way changed."
The following act of Congress was approved February 18, 1373, (17 Stat., 465:)
AN ACT in relation to mineral lands.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That within the Sums hereinafter named deposits or mines of iron and coal be, and they ore hereby, excluded from the operations of an act entitled "An act to promote the development of the mining resources of the United States," approved May tenth, eighteen hundred and seventy-two, and said act shall not apply to the mineral lands situate and being within the States of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, and that said lands are hereby declared free and open to exploration and purchase according to the legal subdivisions thereof as before the passage of said act; and that any bona-fide entries of such lands, within said States, since the passage thereof, may be patented without reference to the provisions of said act.
Previous to the date of said mining act of 1872, lands containing deposits of iron ore were disposed of for cash at private entry the some as agricultural lands. The language of the mining act, however, is so comprehensive as to justify the belief that it was the intention of Congress to include iron ore among the mineral deposits to be disposed of under its provisions. Congress by subsequent legislation appears to have placed this construction upon the act.
By the act approved February 18, 1873, it is provided that "deposits or mines of iron in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota shall be excluded from the operations of the act of May 10, 1872." This is in effect saying that prior to that time deposits or mines of iron had been subject to the operations of said act in these States, and that they remain subject to its operations in the States not specifically named. Lands, therefore, more valuable on account of veins or deposits of iron than for agriculture can be entered only under the mining acts of Congress.
*******
PRIVATE LAND-CLAIMS.
CALIFORNIA.
Much difficulty has been experienced by this Office in determining questions of fact connected with the location of private land-claims in California, for the reason that under former practice and regulations testimony was taken and submitted in the form of ex-parte affidavits, which often served rather to confuse than explain the matters in con~ troversy. ******* Among the rulings which have been made during the past year, and which affect a number of claims not adjudicated, are the following: Rancho Guadalupe, Diego Olivera and T. Arellanee, confirmees.—In this case it was decided by this Office:
1st. That a newspaper dated and first distributed in the town of Santa Barbara, in Santa Barbara County, Cal., was published in Santa Barbara, although said paper was printed in San Francisco, Cal.
2d. Where a survey had become final by publication under the not of June 14, 1860, and a. patent in accordance with such survey had been duly signed, sealed, recorded, sent to the United States surveyor-general for delivery, subsequently recalled, a new survey made, published in accordance with the provision of the act of July 1, 1864, (13 Stat., p. 332,) approved by the Commissioner of the General Land-Office, and a patent for such resurvey signed, sealed, recorded, transmitted to the United States surveyor-general for delivery, and recalled without the consent of the parties claiming possession thereof, that in such a case the first patent having been legally executed, was the patent to be delivered to the parties in interest, and that said first patent having been legally executed, there was no authority of law for the issue of the subsequent patent, which was void ab initio and might properly be recalled by the Commissioner of the General Land-0ffice.
Affirmed on appeal March 26, 1873.
Rancho La. Brea, oonfirmed to Antonio Jose Rocha. et al.—In this case this Office held that it had jurisdiction to examine the validity of the couveyances of a rancho, so far as to be enabled to decide who, under such conveyances, was entitled to select the quantity of land confirmed within larger exterior boundaries to the claimant or claimants by the board of land commissioners for California, or United' States courts. Aiiirmed on appeal March 21, 1873.
Rancho La Carbonera, William Bocle, confirmee.—In this case a portion of the rancho as granted, conflicted with the boundaries of the Rancho Canada del Rincon, which had been confirmed and patented by the United States. Both ranchos were for quantity within larger exterior limits, and prior to confirmation the title in each case was equitable only, the claimant of neither having received juridical possession from the Mexican authorities. The record showed that the Rancho La Carbonera had the older grant, and under the doctrine of relation as laid down in Grisar vs. McDowell,(6 Wall., 380,) and Lynch vs. Bernal, (9 Wall., 315,) it had also the older confirmation. The Supreme Court of the United States having also ruled, in United States vs. Amijo, (5 Wall., 444,) that the right of selection could not be exercised so as to defeat the equitable prior rights of others, it was held by this Office that La Carbonera having the older grant and confirmation, had the prior equity and was therefore first entitled to select its quantity of land, and that for the land thus selected within its exterior boundaries and interfering with the Rancho Canada del Rincon a patent should issue reciting said interference.
Aflirmed May 21, 1873.
Mission La Purisima, José Ramon Malo, confirmee.—In this case it was decided on appeal that the first section of the act of June 14, 1860, relative to the publication of notice of surveys for four weeks in two newspapers, required that for some part of the four weeks the notice should be simultaneously publishing in both newspapers. ******* During the year ending June 30, 1873, the surveys of twenty-three private land-claims were received from the United States surveyor-gen eral for California, and during the same period forty-two patents for similar claims were prepared by this Office, and transmitted, for delivery, to the parties in interest.
NEW MEXICO, COLORADO, AND ARIZONA.
I have the honor again to call attention to the condition of private land-claims in the remainder of the territory acquired by the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, and also to similar claims located in the territory, acquired by the treaty commonly known as the Gadsden purchase. Some provision for the speedy adjustment of these claims should be made at an early day, so that parties, whose rights are guaranteed by treaty, may be enabled to obtain a United States title to their possessions, as in the case of like claims in California, and the United States be given an opportunity to show the invalidity of such claims as may now be held under fraudulent Mexican or Spanish grants. ******* By a decision dated July 29, 1872, in the matter of John B. Chapman's donation claim in Washington Territory, it was held by this Office that, although settlement was made in good faith in June, 1851 and inhabitation and the other requirements of the law complied with up to June 1852, yet the claimant, Chapman, had now no title thereto, either legal or equitable, it appearing by the evidence produced that at the date last named he left Washington Territory with the intention of abandoning his claim, and that for a period of nearly eighteen years thereafter he neither resided on nor asserted title to the tract thus abandoned. In affirming this decision, the Hon. Secretary of the Interior, in his letter of May 23d, 1873, remarks: "I agree with you in the conclusion at which you have arrived, (that Chapman abandoned his claim when he left the Territory in the summer of 1852, and forfeited all right therein he then had or might have acquired") ******* A large number of donation claims in the State of Oregon, and in Washington Territory, have been examined, and five hundred and four of such claims have been patented during the year ending June 30, 1873, and it is believed that before the close of the year ending June 30, 1874, the arrears of work on this class of claims in the General Land-Office will have been brought up to date.
I am, sir, very respectfully your obedient servant,
The Hon. Secretary of the Interior.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
I have the honor, in accordance with law, to forward herewith the annual report of Indian affairs of the country.
In respect to the general question of civilization of Indians, the record of the year is a good one. In many of the agencies gratifying progrcss has been made, as shown in increased interest in the education of children, a disposition to labor, the desire for allotment of lands, and in the increase of stock and ordinary farm products, and other personal property. At other agencies serious efforts in the same direction have developed more decidedly the difficulties which lie in the way of progress. Among these hindrances six are specially noticeable.
FICTION IN INDIAN RELATIONS.
First. A radical hinderance is in the anomalous relation of many of the Indian tribes to the Government, which requires them to be treated as sovereign powers and wards at one and the same time. The comparative weakness of the whites made it expedient, in our early history, to deal with the wild Indian tribes as with powers capable of self-protection and fulfilling treaty obligations, and so a kind of fiction and absurdity has come into all our Indian relations. We have in theory over sixty-five independent nations within our borders, with whom we have entered into treaty relations as being sovereign peoples; and at the same time the white agent is sent to control and supervise these foreign powers, and care for them as wards of the Government. This double condition of sovereignty and wardship involves increasing difficulties and absurdities, as the traditional chieftain, losing his hold upon his tribe, ceases to be distinguished for anything except for the lion's share of goods and moneys which the Government endeavors to send, through him, to his nominal subjects, and as the necessities of the Indians, pressed on every side by civilization, require more help and greater discrimination in the manner of distributing the tribal funds. So far, and as rapidly as possible, all recognition of Indians in any other relation than strictly as subjects of the Government should cease. To provide for this, radical legislation will be required.
EVILS OF PAYMENTS BY CASH ANNUITIES.
The second hinderance, growing directly out of the first, is found in the form in which the benefactions of the Government reach the Indian. In treaties heretofore made with many of the tribes, large sums are stipulated to be paid in cash annuities. Facts show that ordinarily the Indians who have received the most money in this form are in the most unfavorable condition for civilization. The bounty of the Government has pauperized them, and in some cases has tended to brutalize more than to civilize. There are instances where for many years tribes have been receiving from $300 to $500 cash annually to each family of four or five persons, and in all such cases the Indians have made no use of the soil which they possess, and are annually reduced to extreme want within a short time after receiving annuities. These Indians would probably have been far better off to have had only their lands, out of which they might have dug a living, if compelled by hunger, than to have received this bounty in a form that tends to perpetuate idleness and poverty. I recommend that hereafter the appropriations to fulfill these promises for annuities of cash in hand be made for the same amounts to be expended, in each case, under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, for purposes of civilization of the tribe, reserving to the discretion of the Secretary the power to pay cash annuities whenever, in his judgment, it is found expedient.
If the objection should be made that this is a violation of a treaty stipulation, the answer is, that the Government is bound to consider the best interests of its wards. And if, in previous years, wrong methods have been adopted, or if the present condition and exigencies require a different method of dealing with the Indians in order to secure their improvement and greatest good, then both justice and humanity require that the change he made.
A satisfactory experiment of this method has been made under a treaty with the Sisseton and Wahpeton Sioux, in accordance with which the moneys paid to these tribes, in payment for tbeir lands sold to the Government, have been expended in goods and provisions, which have been issued to Indians only in return for labor on their part, the labor being, in most cases, for themselves; and thus a threefold benefit has been procured. They have actually received the value of the money; they have received the products of their own labor, and, best of all, they have learned to labor. If a similar use can he made of sums of money now paid to vagrant Indians, and practically squandered by them within a few days, a large incentive to industry will be gained.
WANT OF INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY-RIGHTS.
The third hinderance is found in the want of individual property-rights among Indians. A fundamental difference between barbarians and a civilized people is the difference between a. herd and an individual. All barbarous customs tend to destroy individuality. Where everything is held in common, thrift and enterprise have no stimulus of reward, and thus individual progress is rendered very improbable, if not impossible. The starting-point of individualism for an Indian is the personal possession of his portion of the reservation. Give him a house within a tract of land, whose corner-stakes are plainly recognized by himself and his neighbors, and let whatever can be produced out of this lauded estate be considered property in his own name, and the first principle of industry and thrift is recognized. In order to this first step, the survey and allotment in severalty of the land belonging to the Indians must be provided for by congressional legislation.
LAW AMONG INDIANS.
The fourth hinderance is the absence of law for Indians. The first condition of civilization is protection of life and property through the administration of law. As the Indians are taken out of their wild life they leave behind them the force attaching to the distinctive tribal condition. The chiefs inevitably lose their power over Indians in proportion as the latter come in contact with the Government or with white settlers, until their government becomes, in most cases, u mere form, without power of coercion and restraint. Their authority is founded only on "the consent of the governed," and only as they pander to the whims or vices of the young men of the tribe can they gain such consent. As a police restraint upon lawlessness they are of no avail, being themselves subject to the control of the worst element in the tribe. An Indian murdering another Indian is accountable only to the law of retaliation. The State authorities do not concern themselves in punishing the murders among Indians, even when such murder is committed under the shadow of their criminal courts.
I submit, for the consideration of the honorable Secretary, whether it is not necessary that crimes among Indians shall be defined by United States law, and made punishable before United States courts. or whether it may not be practicable to, invest magisterial powers in agents and superintendents, by which they may summon a jury among the Indians or other persons residing at the agencies by authority of law, before whom any serious offense against law and order may be tried. Such a court would he the beginning of administration of justice, out of the workings of which would gradually grow a code of laws, which would cover these cases arising in the Indian country, and come to be enforced by a police among themselves.
At the same time, ample provision should be made for the prosecution of citizens who attempt to encroach upon the rights of Indians, or to debauch them by the sale of intoxicating liquors. The employment of detectives, through the Department of Justice, has worked satisfactorily, so far as the limited appropriation of last year has allowed. The difficulty of securing conviction of parties who are known to be engaged in selling whisky to Indians, makes the prosecution, when attempted by the agent alone, expensive and more frequently unsuccessful. In order to induce information and secure efficiency in these prosecutions, I recommend that such legislation be procured as will insure to the informant all fines arising from conviction under the law.
REFUSAL OF INDIANS TO REMAIN ON RESERVATIONS.
The fifth hinderance, the persistent refusal of a portion of some of the tribes to remain upon their reservation according to treaty has been mainly experienced with five tribes, viz, the Sioux, Arapahoes, Cheyennes, Kiowas, and Comanches. A portion of the Arapahoes and Cheyennes are identified with the Sioux in their depredations. The remainder are living on a reservation in the Indian Territory.
SIOUX.
The actual depredation committed by the Sioux have been comparatively few, but a portion of the tribe have assumed a hostile attitude toward the Government by attacking the surveying expedition on the Northern Pacific Railroad. According to the best information of this. office, the greater number of Indians engaged in these hostilities were a band of Northern Sioux, who have hitherto declined to treat with the Government and with them a large re-enforcement from different agencies along the Missouri River, as also from Spotted Tail's and Red Cloud's camps. There is no doubt that the majority of the Indians whom General Stanley encountered in Dakota have been at different times in the year on reservations, and have drawn rations from the Government, some occasionally and some regularly. It is to be regretted that these hostiles could not have been met and defeated by military force. Their actual punishment, in the loss of four or five warriors, was so slight that they seem to regard it at least a drawn fight, if not a victory on their side. The Sioux at Red Cloud and Spotted Tail agencies have also assumed impudent manners and made hostile threats, which have prevented the proper administration of agency atfairs. It has been impossible for the agents to issue rations upon actual count of lodges, the Indians refusing to have a count made, and demanding the issue of rations upon the returns brought in by themselves. The agents, not having a force at hand to restrain the demands of the Indians, have been obliged to yield, and, as a, consequence, there has often been over-issue, and the Indians have grown bold by successful resistance to authority. Such a course of treatment is unwise and unsafe.
Hitherto the military have refrained from going on this reservation because of the express terms of the treaty with the Sioux, in which it is agreed that no military force shall be brought over the line. I respectfully recommend that provision be made at once tor placing at each of the Sioux reservations a military force sufficient to enable the agents to enforce respect for their authority, and to conduct agency affairs in an orderly manner. Also, that all Sioux Indians be required to remain on the Sioux reservation, and that any found of, or refusing to come in and treat with the Government, be forced in and brought to obedience by the military. I am confident that steady progress towards civilization is being made at the different agencies among the Sioux, and, if the turbulent element of this nation can he subdued, the question whether they can be induced to live quietly and to adopt habits of civilization, so as to become self-supporting, will be one only of time and patience.
If it should become necessary to reduce the hostile portion of these Sioux to submission by military force, the Government will find faithful and efficient allies in the several Indian tribes around, the Crows, Black Feet, Gros Venues, and Arickarees. From these Indians a sufficient number of scouts can be enlisted to break the power of the Sioux Nation.
ARAPAHOES AND CHEYENNES.
The attempt is being made to induce the Northern Arapahoes and Cheyennes to join their respective tribes in the Indian Territory. Those now in the Territory are affiliated to such a degree as to be in one agency, and to occupy together the same reservation. They number 3,500. The union of the northern tribes with them would swell the number to 4,500. There is also a portion of the Cheyennes living upon the staked plains which have never yet come in. They subsist entirely on buffalo, and plunder in Colorado, Mexico, and Texas. Not a little of the raiding in Texas which has been charged upon the Kiowas and Comanches during the past year has been done by these Cheyennes. A company of surveyors, four in number, were murdered by them upon their reservation in June last. The demand made upon the tribe to surrender the murderers has not been complied with, and it is not impossible that, if the Government proceeds to enforce com pliance, war will result.
KIOWAS AND COMANCHES.
The Kiowas and Comanches are affiliated in like manner as the Arapahoes and Cheyennes, occupying a common reservation with the same agency. The conduct of the Kiowns during the past year has been comparatively exemplary, under promise of receiving their chiefs Setanta and Big Tree. These prisoners were in the executive control of the governor of Texas, and, on account of the peculiar atrocity of the crimes of which they were convicted, there was strung opposition on the part of the citizens of Texas to their release. But the pledge of the Government having been given to the Kiowas, and the Kiowas having reason to expect its fulfillment because of their own good conduct for the year past, an appeal was made to the courtesy of the governor of Texas to relieve the Government from its embarrassment by the release of the prisoners; and a pledge was made that the Government would use every means to protect the border of Texas, and would require the Comanches to surrender a certain number of raiders from their tribe who have been depredating in Texas during the past summer. Governor Davis accepted the pledge of the Government, in lieu of the further retention of the chiefs as a means of procuring safety for the citizens of Texas, and Setanta and Big Tree were sent to their tribe. The following day the Comanches were brought into council and required to surrender five (5) of their raiders. The chiefs did not deny that some of their young men had been raiding in Texas, nor that they had been committing theft and murder, but they declared it to be impossible for them to arrest and surrender the marauders, and desired to have one more trial in the way of peace. This I declined to give, except on the conditions already made with the governor of Texas, that the raiders should be surrendered. Some of the Comanches then volunteered to accompany the cavalry into Texas to arrest some of their own tribe whom they knew to be engaged at that time in plunder. A cavalry force was at once sent out, with these Indians enlisted as scouts. But they were unable to find the raiders, and returned without any prisoners to surrender in compliance with the requirement made upon them. The conduct of the Comanches is especially flagrant because of their solemn pledge, made one year ago and renewed in July, not to raid any more, on which their captive women and children were surrendered to them.
But it is a serious problem how to punish the guilty ones without striking the innocent. It is also certain that, on the opening of hostilities, a large portion of the tribe would leave the agency and take to the plains, when the difficulty of reaching and controlling them by military force becomes greatly increased. It is believed, however, that there is no alternative. The reservation cannot be made a refuge for thieves and murderers. No policy can assume the name of peace and kindness that expressly provides or immunity of crime. If the military force cannot be made strong enough to follow these Indians whenever they leave the reservation, and strike them while in the act of depredating. then the whole tribe, on refusal to surrender guilty parties, must be held responsible. And while there will be a loss of results already reached in gathering around the agencies these Indians from the plains, and many innocent ones will perhaps suffer with the guilty, yet I am persuaded that vigorous treatment will be kindness in the end. An attempt to restrain and punish the turbulent element in these three different tribes, to be successful, will require a larger military force than merely to strike their camps, destroying them in part, and scattering the remainder on the plains; but the Government can better afford to use a larger force than to undertake a warfare after the savage method of indiscriminate slaughter of women and children.
INTERTRIBAL WARFARE
Intertribal warfare presents a sixth hinderance in the way of civilization. In view of the hostilities among the different tribes of Indians, and the frequent attacks by some of the tribes, requiring a constant state of defense on the part of others, an order has been issued that no Indians be allowed to leave their reservation without permit from the agent, and the Secretary of War has been requested to direct the commanders of military posts to prevent Indians from passing from one agency to another without such permit; and if they find Indians marauding, or engaged in any hostile expedition against any other tribe, to Strike them without parley. A satisfactory execution of this arrangement will probably require either an increased enlistment of scouts from friendly Indians, or an increased military force in the different portions of the Indian country.
On amount of their massacre of the Pawnees during the last buffalo hunt in Nebraska, the Sioux have been forbidden to leave their reservation for such hunting. This prohibition is likely to cause complaint and dissatisfaction among the Indians, but the increasing annoyance and peril from wandering Indians in Nebraska seem to justify the office in making the violation of their treaty by the Sioux the occasion of prohibiting their hunting in Nebraska hereafter; and I recommend that this matter be laid before Congress, in order that this prohibition may he enforced, by declaring that that portion of the treaty of 1868, allowing them to hunt within a certain range of country where buffalo are found, be rendered null and void by the act of the Sioux in attacking the Pawnees, and also by their refusal to surrender the members of their tribe who are guilty, while marauding of their reservation, of the wanton murder of the Hall family.
ISSUE OF ARMS AND AMMUNITION.
In several instances tribes entirely friendly to Government and well disposed to civilization have been kept in terror by their marauding neighbors, and prevented from attempting civilized life during the year. In such instances, if the friendly Indians could have been armed they would have defended themselves without assistance from the United States, and I recommend that steps be taken to procure legislation authorizing the Secretary of War to issue arms and ammunition for the self-protection of friendly tribes, on the request of this office, such arms to be accounted for by the agent to whom they are delivered.
MANUAL LABOR SCHOOLS
Upon no other subject or branch of the Indian service is there such entire agreement of opinion from all agents and persons, connected directly and indirectly with Indian civilization, as upon the necessity of labor schools for Indian children. It is manifest that burbarism can be cured only by education. Instruction in the day-school merely, except among Indians who are already far along in civilization, is attempted at great disadvantage on every hand. Indian children cannot come from the Wigwam suitably clad for the school-room. If clothes are provided for them the supply must be frequently repeated. The habits also of Wigwam life are entirely irregular. The Indian has no regular habits or hours. He eats and sleeps when and where he will or can, and no school attendance, which depends upon regular home habits of the parents or children, can be relied upon. It is also well nigh impossible to teach Indian children the English language when they spend twenty hours out of the twenty-four in the wigwam, using only their native tongue. The hoarding school, on the contrary, takes the youth under constant care, has him always at hand, and surrounds him by an English-speaking community, and above all, gives him instruction in the first lessons of civilization, which can be found only in a well-ordered home.
Any plan for civilization which does not provide for training the young, even though at a largely increased expenditure, is shortsighted and expensive. large expenditure for a few years in the proper direction will be more economical than a smaller expenditure perpetuated; and it is believed that at least one-half of the Indian children, now growing up in barbarism, could be put during the coming year in such processes of education in home schools, if the means were at hand for supporting such schools. Four or live years of this appliance of civilization cures one-half of the barbarism of the Indian tribe permanently. For these children thus trained, though many of them might lapse into nomadic ways, would never go back so far as to be dangerous-or troublesome to the citizens of the Government, and within that length of time it is reasonable to be expected that the other tribes, whose children could not at first be obtained for such schools, will be brought within the reach of the Government, and thus be ready to receive their turn at this training process. I most earnestly recommend that this appropriation for education he made on a scale commensurate with the urgent necessities of the case.
CO-OPERATION WITH RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
The arrangement by which, in accordance with the direction of the President, all agents are appointed on the nomination of some religious body is working with increasing satisfaction. In proportion as these religions societies gain assurance that this plan of co-operation with the Government is likely to be permanent, they are generally entering heartily into operations that contemplate earnest educational and religious work in the respective agencies allotted them. They are also learn ing from experience what are the essential qualifications of an Indian agent, and also the serious nature of the responsibility to the Government which they assume in these nominations. The result is a greater care in the selection of men, and increased watchfulness over their official actions. Out of the sixty-five agents thus nominated there have been several failures during the year from want of adaptation to the service, or from want of integrity. lint in nearly every case the religions society represented by these men has been the first to make the discovery of unfitness, and to ask for a change of agents.
INADEQUATE SALARIES.
There is a serious complaint on the art of these religious bodies that they are not able, at the salary of $l,500, to find competent men willing to accept the service, and that when such men have been secured it has often been found impossible to retain them. The service has lost several of the most competent and reliable agents during the year from this cause. No man capable of managing the business of an agency ranging from $15,000 to $200,000 ought to be asked to give full service to the Government for $1,500 a year. I recommend that the salary of agents be increased to $2,000 per annum for the more eastern agencies, and $2,500 for those remote and inaccessible.
CONDITIONS OF PROGRESS.
In estimating the actual progress attained, under the operation of what has been termed the peace policy, it is necessary to keep in mind the constant change in the position of the Indians toward the white settlers. Tribes which a few years ago were so far removed from all White settlements as to render any annoyance or conflict between the two races improbable and almost impossible, have now, by the tide of emigration, been brought in close proximity to, and almost daily contact with, settlers. Naturally the difficulties in the Indian problem are largely increased by such contact. The clashing interests of both parties produce irritation and make complaints more numerous.
But the peace policy is not to be charged with these increasing troubles, nor to be connnected with them except by the inquiry as to what would probably have been the difficulties, in the same circumstances, under any other policy.
The question of the civilization of Indians reduced to its last analysis is twofold. First, whether the Government is willing to make sufficient appropriation to teach barbarous men how to live in a civilized way; and, second, whether the expenditure of such an appropriation can be fairly made through the administration of persons fitted to become their teachers. Without suitable provision for the necessary expenditures the best efforts of the best men will be comparatively futile; and with the most abundant provision that the resources of the nation can make, nothing will be accomplished worthy of the effort unless there can be found persons ready and fitted to go to these Indians, in the spirit of kindness and Christian love, with a faith in God and a faith in man strong enough to sustain them amid the degradation and perversities of barbarism, and cheer them on in the full conviction that no being made in God's image is incapable of improvement. No effort for lifting the poor and degraded can succeed which is not guided by the enthusiasm which comes from this faith. The agent and his employes will not give full work without it, and the Indian will not throw off his suspicion and wake out of his indolence until he feels this touch of human sympathy.
For this reason the Government is specially to be congratulated on the response which the Christian people of the country have made to the proposition of the President that they should take a certain super-. vision of Government labor for the Indians, by nominating agents and furnishing employes suitable to represent the Government in its beneficent efforts with these tribes, as well as in sending missionaries and teachers for religious labor among them.
THE INDIAN TERRITORY.
The affairs of this Territory will doubtless receive the serious consideration of Congress during the coming session. The practical absence of law as between the inhabitants of the Territory and the citizens of the United States; the general state of unthrift from lack of competition and every incitement to labor incident to ordinary life in this country ; the unwillingness of the Indians to take their lands in severalty; the persistent refusal of the Choctaws to give negroes their rights as citizens of the Territory, together with the strong pressure from parties interested in railroad enterprises and investments in lands, will be quite likely to induce legislation of some kind for this country.
If the inhabitants of the Territory would adopt the Okmulgee con- stitution with the amendments suggested by the President, upon this a, satisfactory government could be created for this country. Then if the Indians would have their lands surveyed and allotted to them in sever- alty, the first steps toward citizenship would be fairly taken. Every consideration of justice seems to require that the treaty obligation which the Government has assumed toward these nations shall be ob- served. No circumstances can be supposed to exist that will justify the nullification of these obligations, but if it is found, on careful ex- amination, that the highest interests of both' the United States and the Indian nations of this Territory require a. change in their relations which is not provided for by the different treaties, then the question is fairly raised whether the Government may not assume the responsi- bility of making the changes in such form as shall secure every right which these Indians can reasonably ask for themselves, and as will also commend itself to the moral sense of the country. The attempt to ad- minister justice for all the Territory through the United States courts at Fort Smith has been largely a failure, and sometimes worse. If the adoption of a territorial constitution by the Indians does not provide a remedy, then a United States court should be established, at some convenient point in the Territory, to take cognizance of all cases of complaint arising between the citizens of the United States and inhab- itants of the Territory, and between members of the different tribes and nations in the Territory.
MISSON INDIANS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.
Special attention is invited to the report of John G. Ames, who was appointed n special commissioner to inquire into the condition and ne- cessities of the Mission Indians in Southern California. These Indians under the Mexican government, enjoyed civil and property rights, at were abundantly able to take care of themselves from the products of the soil. But under our Government these rights were not considered as transferred, and they now find themselves liable to have the Lands which they have cultivated for generations taken from them by white settlers. It would seem that there is no alternative, in any just settle- ment with these Indians, but to secure for them, in the way proposed in the report of Agent Ames, the land to which they are entitled, or its equivalent, upon which they will be able to subsist themselves with- out help from the Government.
WEAVING.
The effort during the year to instruct the Indian women among the Chippewas in Wisconsin and Minnesota in the art of weaving has al- ready succeeded so fer as to make it certain that, by the introduction of looms among all Indians where the herding of sheep is practicable, a new industry may be brought within the reach of the Indians, which will be of large service in the slow process of civilization.
ARICKAREES, MANDANS, AND GROS VENTRES.
An attempt has been made to induce the Aricksrees, Mandans, and Gros Veutres, who occupy the reservation at Fort Berthold, to remove to the Indian Territory, but they have declined to send a delegation to prospect for the tribe, and seem averse to removal from their present grounds, where they are exposed to raids from the Sioux, and their crops are alternately cut off by the grasshopper and the drought. Their crops generally this year are reported as a failure, and it is not unlikely that, without help through a deficiency appropriation, they will suffer severely during the winter. The Indians on these agencies deserve more from the Government than any other tribes in Dakota, on account of their fidelity to the Government and the faithful service rendered by them as scouts in compelling other Indians to keep the peace.
MINNESOTA CHIPPEWAS.
The wandering bands of Chippewas in Minnesota require the attention of the Government. There are two permanent reservations in the State, at Leech Lake and White Earth, and the different bands remaining among the settlements of Pembina and Otter-Tail should be gathered upon the White Earth reservation. For these bands the Government has acquired, by purchase from the Mississippi Chippewas, the right to settle upon this reservation; but in order to establish them there a special appropriation will be The appropriation of $10,000, made by last Congress for the removal of the Pembinas, being too limited for the purpose, has not been used.
The Mille Lac band of Chippewas in Minnesota remains in its anomalous position. They have sold their reservation, retaining A right to occupy it during good behavior. With this title to the soil it is not deemed expedient to attempt permanent improvements at Mille Lac, unless a title to the reservation can be returned to them on condition that they surrender to Government all moneys acquired in consideration of their cession of the Mille Lac reservation. If this cannot be done, their Indians should he notified that they belong at White Earth, and be required to remove. In their present location, on its present tenure, nothing can be done looking toward their civilization;
UTES.
In consideration of the condition of the scattered bands of different tribes of Utes in Nevada., Colorado, and Utah, it was deemed advisable to send a commission to inquire as to their numbers and the possibility of gathering them upon one or more reservations, where they would be more immediately under the care of the Government, and removed from the white settlers. Agent G. W. Ingalls and Major J. W. Powell were appointed on this commission. They seem to have adopted the exhaustive method, and the interesting report of their labors for the summer is herewith submitted, and attention invited to their recommendations, which are heartily endorsed by this office.
THE CAUSES WHICH LED TO THE MADOC WAR.
October 14, 1864 a treaty was concluded with the Klamath and Modoc tribes and Yahookin band of Snake Indians in Oregon, by the first article of which said Indians ceded to the United States all their right, title, and claim to all the country claimed by them, and accepted a reservation described in said article by natural boundaries, upon which they agreed and bound themselves to locate immediately after the ratification of the treaty.
The ratification of this treaty was advised and consented to by the Senate, July 2, 1866, and the same was proclaimed by the President February 17, 1870. At the date of proclamation the Modocs were found on their reservation, where they remained until April, 1870, and then left for their camp on Lost River.
There is evidence that Captain Jack and his band were prepared at this time to remain upon the reservation and settle down in the way of civilization, if there had been ordinary encouragement and assistance, and if the Klamaths, who largely outnumbered Captain Jack's band, and who were their hereditary enemies, had allowed them so to do. This band began to split rails for their farms, and in other ways to adopt civilized habits; but the Klamaths demanded tribute from them for the land they were occupying, which the Modocs were obliged to render. Captain Jack then removed to another part of the reservation, and began again to try to live by cultivating the ground. But he was followed by the same spirit oi' hostility by the Klamaths, from which he does not seem to have been protected by the agent. The issue of rations seems also to have been suspended for want of funds, and for these reasons Captain Jack and his band returned to their old home on Lost River, where they became a serious annoyance to the whites, who had in the meanwhile settled on their ceded lands.
This annoyance led to serious apprehensions on the part of the military authorities, and under date of the 19th of March, 1872, the honorable Secretary of War transmitted to this Department copies of correspondence between the military in regard to the matter. A copy of this correspondence was sent to Superintendent Odeneal by the Indian Office, April 12, 1872, with directions to have the Modocs removed, if practicable, to their reservation; and if removed, to see that they were properly protected from the Klamaths.
The superintendent was then instructed, in case they could not be removed, to report the practicability of locating them at some other point. The superintendent reported on the 17th June that their reservation was the best place for them to be located, but that he did not believe it practicable to remove them without using the military for that purpose, and that if they should resist, he doubted whether there was force enough in the country to compel them to go. In reply, the superintendent was directed, July 6, 1872, to remove them to the Klamath reservation. The attempt to execute this order resulted in a conflict between the Modocs and the troops and the white settlers. For the purpose of examining into the same, and, if possible, to procure a peaceable solution of the difficulties, a commission was appointed by the Secretary of the Interior in January last. This commission, as finally composed, consisted of A. B. Meacham, late superintendent Indian affairs for Oregon, L. S. Dyar, agent for the Klamath agency, and Rev. E. Thomas, and by direction of the Secretary of the Interior, under date of March 22, 1873, they were put under the direction of General Canby. While engaged in a conference with Captain Jack, chief of the Modocs, and other representative men of the tribe, on the 11th of April, General Canby and Dr. Thomas were brutally murdered by these Indians, and Mr. Meacham severely wounded.
Thus ended the negotiations with the Modocs, who, after seven months' fighting, were subdued by the military, and Captain Jack and three of his principal men were tried by court-martial and executed. The remnant of this Modoc band has been transferred to the Indian Territory, and located for the present on the Quapaw Indian reservation, where they have gladly availed themselves of the privilege of putting their children in school, and have entered upon industrial life with such readiness and good will as to warrant the conclusion that if these Indians could have had this opportunity of gaining their support out of soil upon which an ordinary white man could get a living, and had received just treatment, there would have been no cause of trouble with them. The report of the commission, prepared by the surviving member, A. B. Meacham, is herewith submitted. *******
LEGISLATION RECOMMENDED.
ISSUES OF PATENTS TO ROBERT BENT AND JACK SMITH.
By a postscript to the treaty concluded with the Arapahoe and Cheyenne Indians February 18, 1861, these Indians gave to Robert Bent and Jack Smith 640 acres of land each, and requested the Government to confirm said gifts to said parties. No provision, however, for the issue of patents to these persons is contained in the treaty; and even the postscript cannot be considered as a grant in the absence of legislation. It is therefore recommended that the gifts be confirmed and the issue of patents authorized by act of Congress, in order that the wishes of the Indians may be carried out.
KANSAS OR KAW INDIAN LANDS IN KANSAS.
These lands having been appraised under the act of May 8, 1872, and a sale of those embraced in the "diminished reserve" having been attempted, but not enough having been sold to defray the expenses of the offering, the Department decided to set aside the appraisement and have a new one made. A commission having been appointed for this purpose, after reaching the lands the chairman reported that he did not deem the first appraisement too high. It was restored, and legislation by Congress is recommended as follows: That bona-fide settlers be allowed to purchase the same at the Topeka land-office, making payment of one-fourth of the appraised value at the date of settlement, and the remainder in three equal annual installments, giving security for the deferred payments.
AGREEMENT WITH THE CROW TRIBE OF INDIANS.
An act of Congress approved March 3, 1873, authorized negotiations with the Crow Indians for the cession of their reservation, or a portion thereof, in Montana, and the establishment of a smaller reservation for them. The necessity for such negotiation was found in the fact that the recent discovery of gold on the reservation had drawn many white persons there, with whom there was likely to be trouble; also in the tact that the Northern Pacific Railroad would likely pass through a portion of the reservation; whereas the policy is to have the reservations located at a distance from the public lines of travel. An agreement was concluded with said Indians by Special Commissioner Felix R. Brunot, chairman Board of Indian Commissioners, James Wright and E. Whittlesy on the 16th of August last, by the terms of which the Crows cede their reservation and accept a reserve in Judith Basin. This agreement is made subject to the action of Congress, and its ratification is respectfully recommended.
ALLOTMENT OF CHOCTAW AND CHICKASAW LANDS
The 11th article of the treaty concluded with the Choctaw and Chickasaw Indians April 28, 1866, sets forth that it is believed the holding of their lands in severalty will promote their general civilization, and tend to advance their permanent welfare; and it is therefore agreed that the lands be surveyed and allotted, should the Chickasaw and Choctaw people, through their respective legislative councils, agree to the same. The lands of the Chickasaws have been surveyed at their request, and their legislative council has, through their executive authorities, requested this Department to allot their lands; besides,the Chickasaw people in public assemblages have passed resolutions petitioning the Government to the same effect. The Choctaw council, however, refuse to join the Chickasaws in making the request for allotments as contemplated by the treaty. It is deemed proper, therefore, that Congress should afford the necessary legislation to enable this Department to comply with the request of the Chickasaws, independent of the action of the Choctaws, in order that the object of the treaty may be carried out, at least so far as the Chickasaws are concerned.
PAWNEE INDIAN RESERVATIONS IN NEBRASKA.
By the treaty concluded with the Pawnee Indians September 24,1857, a reservation was set apart for said Indians in extent 30 miles from east to west by 15 miles from north to south. Upon a re-survey of the eastern boundary-line of said reservation, it has been ascertained that the east and west lines are but 29½ miles apart in place of 30 miles, thus leaving a deficiency in the proper area of the reservation of 4,800 acres. The Pawnees insist upon indemnity for said deficiency, and it is deemed just that Congress should provide for the same, at the rate of one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre, the minimum price of Government lands.
AGREEMENT WITH CŒUR D'ALENE INDIANS IN IDAHO.
In 1867 an Executive order was issued setting apart a reservation for the Cœur d' Alenes, but, being dissatisfied with the location, they never located thereon, and continued to roam over the tract of country claimed by them. For the purpose of extinguishing their claim to all the tract of country claimed by them, and of locating them on a reservation suitable to their wants as an agricultural people, an agreement has been made with them by Hon. J. P. C. Shanks, Gov. Bennett, of Idaho, and Agent J. B. Montieth, subject to ratification by Congress, which is respectfully recommended. Pending such action by that body, 1 have deemed it prudent to have set apart by executive order the tract of country described in said agreement as a reservation for said Indians, in order that white persons may be prohibited from settling thereon and claiming compensation for improvements from the Government.
SILETZ RESERVATION IN OREGON.
By the terms of a treaty concluded with the Coo-umpqua, Sinselano, Alsea, and other Indians embraced within the Siletz agency, in Oregon, provision was made for a reservation for said Indians. The treaty, however, was never ratiiied, and, to secure to them the reservation, an Executive order was issued November 9, 1855, setting the some apart for Indian purposes. These Indians are well advanced in civilization, and enrnestly desire allotments, with patents for the same. Congress shouldtherefore provide for the allotment of their lands and the issue of patents to such of said Indians as desire to cultivate the soil.
OFFICIAL SEAL FOR THE BUREAU.
Much inconvenience is caused by the want of an official seal for the purpose of certifying copies of files and records frequently called for as evidence in the civil courts. As it is, the seal of the Department has to be used for the purpose of certifying to the official character of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. I therefore recommend that Congress authorize the use of a seal by this office, and provide that papers authenticated therewith shall have the same validity as in case of the use of a seal by other bureaus.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully,
The Hon. Secretary of the Interior.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS.
Sir: I have the honor to submit the following region of the tranactions of this Bureau for the year ending June, 1873:
THE ROLL OF PENSIONERS.
There have been added to the pension-rolls during the past year, by the allowance of original claims, 6,422 Army invalid pensioners 5 3,949 Army widow and dependent relative pensioners; 129 Navy invalid pensioners; 124 Navy widow and dependent relntive pensioners; and, pensioned under the act of February 14, 1871, 3,186 survivors, and 2,242 widows of soldiers of the war of 1812. By restoration, under section 3, act of July, 27, 1868, 233 Army invalids; 59 widows and dependent relatives; 1 Navy invalid and 2 Navy widows and minors. By restoration, for incidental causes, 18 Army invalids; 14 Army widows and dependent relatives; 4 Navy widows; 16 survivors of the war of 1812, and 6 widows of soldiers of the war of 1812—making, in all, an addition of 16,405 new pensioners.
The losses have been to the invalid roll by death, recovery from disability, and failure to claim pension for three years, as required by section 3 act of July 27, 1868, 2,423; to the widows and dependent relatives' roll by death, remarriage of widows and mothers, expiration of minors' pensions, and failure to claim within three years, 5,542; to the war-of-1812 roll by death, soldiers, 2,036; widows, 222—making a total loss from all causes of 10,223 pensioners.
The additions, 16,405—less the losses, 10,223—give a net gain of all classes of pensions of 6,182. This, added to the number on the rolls at the close of the preceding fiscal year, 232,229, gives a grand total of 238,411 pensioners of the United States on the 30th of June, 1873, classified as follows:
| Army invalids | 99, 804 |
| Army widows and. dependent relatives | 112, 088 |
| Survivors of the war of 1812 | 18,266 |
| Widows of soldiers of the war of 1812 | 5,053 |
| Navy invalids | 1, 430 |
| Navy widows and dependent relatives | 1, 770 |
| Total | 238,411 |
The increase in the annual amount of pension.
Besides the increase to the annual amount of pension attendant upon the above addition of new pensioners to the rolls, the pensions of 20,946 Army invalids have been increased to the amount of $920,930.35 per annum; 239 Navy invalids to the amount of $11,066 per annum; 545 Army widows and minors to the amount of $20 106.07 per annum, and 81 Navy widows and minors to the amount of $1,500 per annum an aggregate of 21,761 pensions increased, and an increase in the annual amount of pension by this increase of rate of former pensioners of $953,605.02 per annum.
The greatest increase in rates has been in the invalid classes, under the act of June 8, 1872, whereby the pensions of those specifically or extremely disabled pensioners then receiving $15, $20, and $25 per month, were increased to $18, 824, and $31.25 per month respectively. Under the provisions of this act, 15,505 Army and 180 Navy pensions were increased to the aggregate amount of $598,254.25
The annual amount of the present roll of pensioners by classes.
The annual amount of the pensions of the Army invalid pensioners has increased since June 30 1872, from $8,611,854.91 to $9,§27,240.09, while the annual amount of the pensions of Army widows and dependent relatives has fallen from $14,530,778.39 to $13,962 764.39.
The annual amount of the pensions of Navy invalids has increased trom $136,545.30 to $150,537.75; of Navy widows and dependent relatives from $269,208 to $280 550; of survivors of the war of 1812, from $1,641,600 to $1,753,536; and of widows of soldiers of the war of 1812, from $290,592 to $484,656.
The great increase in the annual amount of the Army invalid pension, $1,015,385.18, is partially counterbalanced by the falling off in the annual amount of Army widows and dependent-relatives' pension of $568,014; but the stlll existing increase of $447,371.18 is raised by the increase in amount of Navy invalid pension, $13,992.45; of Navy widows, &c., $11,342; of survivors of the war of 1812, $111,936; of widows of soldiers of the war of 1812, $194,064, to an aggregate increase of $778,705.63 over the annual amount of J une 30, 1872, ($25,4-80,578.80,) making the total annual amount of all pensions June 30, 1873 $26,259,284.43. But, as will be seen in the proper statement, the total disbursements on account of pensions for the fiscal year was $29,185,289.62, including the salaries and commissions paid to agents, fees to examining surgeons, commutations for artificial limbs. and expenses of the agencies.
Gains and losses.
The Army invalid roll has increased from 95 405 June 30, 1872, to 99,804 June 30, 1873; the Navy widows and dependent relatives from 1,730 to 1,770; the survivors of the war of 1812 from 17,100 to 1826; the widows of soldiers of the war of 1812 from 3,027 to 5,053, while the roll of Army widows and dependent relatives has decreased from 113,518 to 112,088, and the Navy invalids from 1,449 to 1,430. An annual diminution of the widows and dependent-relatives' roll may hereafter he expected by reason of the termination of minors' pensions (of which there were on the 30th of June last 34,850) on account of the children reaching the age of sixteen years.
A very careful and interesting analysis of this roll has been made since the close of the fiscal year, from which it is found that of the 112,088 pensioners upon it, 21 862 were widows without minor children; 29,696 were widows with children to the number of 54,451 under sixteen years of age; 34,850 were minors' pensions, with 57,807 children receiving the benefits therefrom; 21,852 were dependent mothers; 2,025 were dependent fathers, and 56 were pensions to brothers and sisters of deceased soldiers.
A tabular statement will be found in the appendix giving the results of this examination.
During the fiscal year the gains and losses to the rolls in numbers and in annual amount of pension were us follows:
| Number. | Number. | Annual amount. | ||
| INVALID ROLL. | ||||
| Added.—Army original pensions | 6,422 | $413,344 50 | ||
| Added.—Army pensions restored under section 3,act July 27, 1868 | 233 | 11,547 92 | ||
| Added.—Army pensions restored, miscellaneous causes | 18 | 1,321 00 | ||
| Army pensions increased | [1]20,946 | 920,930 25 | ||
| Navy original pensions | 129 | 15,421 00 | ||
| Navy pensions restored under section 3, act July 27, 1868 | 1 | 48 00 | ||
| Navy pensions increased | [2]239 | 11,086 00 | ||
| 6,803 | 21,185 | 1,373,698 67 | ||
| Losses by death,recovery from disability, &c. | 2,423 | 344,321 04 | ||
| Actual gain to invalid roll | 4,380 | 1,029,377 63 | ||
| WIDOWS AND DEPENDENT-RELATIVES' ROLL | ||||
| Added.—Army original pensions | 3,949 | 520,802 07 | ||
| Added.„—Army pensions restored under section 3, act July 2, 1868. | 59 | 6,474 00 | ||
| Added.„—Army pensions restored for miscellaneous causes | 14 | 1,560 00 | ||
| Added.„—Army pensions increased | 545 | 20,108 57 | ||
| Added.„—Navy original pensions | 124 | 20,184 00 | ||
| Added.„—Navy pensions restored under section 3, act July 27, 1868 | 2 | 240 00 | ||
| Added.„—Navy pensions restored for miscellaneous causes | 4 | 960 00 | ||
| Added.„—Navy pensions increased | 31 | 1,128,500 64 | ||
| Losses by death, remarriage, and expiration of minors' pensions. | 4,152 | 576 | 571,828 64 | |
| 5,542 | 1,128,500 64 | |||
| Net loss to widows' roll | 1,390 | 556,672 00 | ||
| WAR-OF-1812 ROLL | ||||
| Added—Soliders' original pensions | 3,186 | 305,856 00 | ||
| Added—„Soldiers by restoration | 16 | 1,536 00 | ||
| Added—„Widows' original pensions | 2,242 | 215,232 00 | ||
| Added—„Widows by restoration | 6 | 576 00 | ||
| 5,450 | 523,200 00 | |||
| Losses by death—Soliders' | 2036 | |||
| Losses by death—Widows | 222 | |||
| 0,000 | 2,258 | 217,200 00 | ||
| Net gain to war of 1812 roll | 3,192 | 306,000 00 | ||
Comparative statement of the number of pensioners. Annual amount of pension and expenditure June 30, 1872, and June 30, 1873.
The following comparative statement will exhibit the number of pensioners with the annual amount of pension of each of the principal classes of pensioners, June 30, 1872, and June 30, 1873, together with the amount paid to each class during the fiscal year terminating on the above dates:
| June 30, 1872 | ||||
| Classes of Pensioners | Number. | Annual amount. | Paid to each class during the year ending June 30, 1872. | |
| Invalid, Army | 95,405 | $6,611,854 91 | $10,145,145 49 | |
| Invalid,„ Navy | 1, 449 | 136,545 00 | 149,442 85 | |
| Soldiers, war of 1812 | 17,100 | 1,641 600 00 | 1,977,415 84 | |
| Widows, Army | 113,518 | 14,530,778 39 | 17,266,156 62 | |
| Widows,„war of 1812 | 3,027 | 290,592,00 | 335,993,63 | |
| Widows,„Navy | 1,730 | 269,208 00 | 295,186 57 | |
| 232,229 | 25,480,578 30 | 30,169,341 00 | ||
| June 30,1873 | ||||
| Classes of Pensioners | Number. | Annual amount. | Paid to each class during the year ending June 30, 1873. | |
| Invalid, Army | 99, 804 | $90,627,240 89 | $10,564,825 51 | |
| Invalid,„Navy | 1,430 | 150,537 75 | 160,971 98 | |
| Soldiers, war of 1812 | 18,266 | 1,733,536 00 | 2,078,606 98 | |
| Widows, Army | 112,088 | 13,963,164 | 15, 395,640 15 | |
| Widows,„Navy | 1,770 | 290,550 00 | 302 936 71 | |
| Widows,„war of 1812 | 5,053 | 484,656 00 | 689,303 69 | |
| 238,411 | 26,250,284 23 | 29,185,289 62 | ||
While the general rule of annual increase which has characterized the yearly disbursements of pensions during the past ten years has been maintained in the payments to certain classes of pensioners dining the past year, the marked feature of the expenditures for the year 1872-73 has been the large decrease in disbursements to the great class of widow and dependent-relative pensioners.
The amount paid to Army invalids was $410,680.02 greater than the year before; to Navy invalids, $11,529.13; to Navy Widows, $7,750.14; to survivors of the war of 1812, $101,191.14, and to widows of soldiers of the war of 1812, $353,310.06, but, to more than offset this, the payments to Army widows and dependent relatives fell off $1,877,511.87, by which the total disbursements for pensions for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1873, were reduced to $29,185,289,62, being $984,051.38 less than the preceding year, ($30,169,341.) ******* Of the unexpended balance of the appropriation for Army pensions there was in the hands of the pension agents on the 30th of June $14,511. (See table appendix.)
Of the unexpended balance of the appropriation for Navy pensions there was in the hands of the pension agents on the 30th of June $14,511.(See appendix.)
These balances have been covered into the Treasury under act of July 12, 1870.
The appropriations for the present fiscal year are as follows:
| For Army pensions | $150, 000, 000 |
| For Navy pensions | 480, 000 |
These appropriations would have been amply sufficient had no additional expenditure been imposed by new legislation. The act of March 3, 1873, by extending the provision for $2 per month additional pension of act of July 25, 1866, to the children of officers and to single minors of privates, will increase very materially the amount paid to widow and minor pensioners, especially during the present fiscal year, as, upon the re-adjustment of the pension, arrears of increase from July 25, 1866, (or from commencement of original pension if subsequent to July 25, 1866,) are allowed. (The extent of this increase cannot be accurately estimated, but up to October 1, 1873, over eight thousand claims have been filed.)
By providing for the intermediate grades of $12, $13, $14, &c., for certain classes of invalid pensioners now receiving but $8, a further unexpected demand has been made upon the fund.
It is possible that the appropriation for "Army pensions" may be found sudicient, but the extremely small balance of the "Navy pension" appropriation remaining unexpended at the close of the past fiscal year indicates that with these new demands upon an appropriation of like amount for the present year it may be found insufficient.
Number of claims or pension arising from the war of the rebellion filed in the Pension-Office up to June 30, 1873, with the number allowed,rejected, and unadjudicated at that date.
A tabular statement was prepared for the last annual report from this office, showing the number of claims filed and allowed during each fiscal year since June 30, 1861 for wounds or injuries received, disease contracted in, or death resulting from, service in the war of the rebellion. The same statement is reproduced below, brought down to J une 30, 187 3.
| Year ending June 30 | ARMY | NAVY | ||||||
| Number applications filed | Number claims allowed. | Number applications filed | Number claims allowed. | |||||
| Invalids | Widows | Invalids | Widows | Invalids | Widows | Invalids | Widows | |
| 1862 | 1,362 | 1,000 | 3,29 | 60 | 65 | 78 | 49 | |
| 1863 | 26,380 | 22,377 | 3,913 | 3,574 | 290 | 285 | 183 | 133 |
| 1864 | 20,263 | 32,627 | 16,742 | 22,148 | 385 | 324 | 271 | 248 |
| 1865 | 27,299 | 44,464 | 14,659 | 24,656 | 455 | 466 | 250 | 266 |
| 1866 | 35,799 | 28,732 | 21,913 | 27,023 | 350 | 375 | 238 | 218 |
| 1867 | 15,905 | 20,265 | 15,742 | 19,260 | 250 | 333 | 137 | 233 |
| 1868 | 7,292 | 13,099 | 8,991 | 18,940 | 170 | 207 | 135 | 219 |
| 1869 | 11,035 | 14,496 | 6,844 | 15,535 | 290 | 245 | 172 | 209 |
| 1870 | 12,991 | 11,400 | 5,242 | 12,267 | 260 | 200 | 149 | 160 |
| 1871 | 8,837 | 8,985 | 7,656 | 8,191 | 190 | 142 | 127 | 117 |
| 1872 | 8,857 | 6,755 | 6,060 | 7,057 | 240 | 178 | 151 | 124 |
| 1873 | 8,728 | 6,427 | 6,203 | 3,949 | 248 | 120 | 129 | 124 |
*******
Grand summary.
| Total filed | 401,503 |
| Total allowed | 281,233 |
| Total rejected | 58,581 |
| Total pending | 61,689 |
The maximum number of invalid claims tiled during any one year was reached immediately after the close of the war, in 1866, during which year 35,799 were tiled. Since then the percentage of this maximum number, filed during each succeeding fiscal year, down to June 30, 1873, has been as follows:
- In 1867, 44 per cent.
- In 1868, 20 per cent.
- In 1869, 30 per cent.
- In 1870, 36 per cent.
- In 1871, 24 per cent.
- In 1872, 24 per cent.
- In 1873, 21 per cent.
It will be seen by this that applications for original pensions have settled down upon a basis of about 24 per cent. of the maximum year, or about three-tenths of one per cent. of the whole number of soldiers (2,6S8,523) who served in the late rebellion. This-percentage will probably continue, without much diminution, for a period of years. It is probable that, as those who served during the rebellion advance in life, disabilities will develop with many who left the service apparently sound, which they will regard as having originated in the service; but in a large proportion of such cases their claim will not be susceptible of proof.
The maximum number of claims of widows and dependent relatives tiled during apy one year was reached in 1865, during which year 44,464 were filed. he percentage of this maximum number, tiled during each succeeding fiscal year down to June 30, 1873, has been as follows:
- In 1866, 64 per cent.
- In 1867, 45 per cent.
- In 1868, 29 per cent.
- In 1869, 32 per cent.
- In 1870, 25 per cent.
- In 1871, 20 per cent.
- In 1872, 15 per cent.
- In 1873, 15 per cent.
Probably very few claims of widows and orphans of soldiers who died during the war remain to be presented. The claims growing out of the death of a soldier which are now being filed are principally those where death has occurred subsequent to the discharge of the soldier, (in a large proportion of cases the soldier having been in receipt of invalid pension,) and those of dependent relatives.
There is no reason to expect any considerable increase or diminution in the number of such claims which will annually be filed for some years to come.
THE AVERAGE PENSION.
The average pension to each of the following classes of pensioners was, on the 30th June last:
To Army invalids, $96.46 per annum—$8.04 per month.
To Army widows and dependent relatives, $124.56 per annum—$10.38 per month.
To Navy invalids, $105.27 per annum—88.77 per month.
To Navy Widows and dependent relatives, $158.00 per annum—$13.16 per month.
A careful and accurate examination of the entire invalid roll was made to determine the number of different rates paid to invalid pensioners, and the number of pensioners at each rate, and the result is presented in tables in the appendix, and is summarized as follows:
| Number | Rate. | Number | Rate. | Number | Rate. | Number | Rate. |
| 1 | $40 00 | 4 | $16 75 | 8 | $10 62 | 71 | $5 66 |
| 685 | 31 25 | 14 | 16 66 | 1 | 10 50 | 8 | 5 62 |
| 180 | 30 00 | 1 | 16 25 | l | 10 20 | 2,261 | 5 33 |
| 1 | 26 66 | 28 | 16 00 | 775 | 10 00 | 1,891 | 5 00 |
| 2 | 26 25 | 1 | 15 87 | 1 | 9 50 | 4 | 4 80 |
| 1 | 26 00 | 2,316 | 15 00 | 4 | 9 37 | 120 | 4 25 |
| 235 | 25 00 | 3 | 14 87 | 5 | 9 00 | 25,744 | 4 00 |
| 1 | 24 20 | 104 | 14 00 | 1 | 8 75 | 101 | 3 75 |
| 717 | 24 00 | 1 | 13 75 | 563 | 8 50 | 1 | 3 66 |
| 1 | 23 00 | 1 | 13 60 | 8 | 8 33 | 2 | 3 40 |
| 53 | 22 50 | 61 | 13 33 | 1 | 8 25 | 7 | 3 2 |
| 4 | 22 00 | 1 | 13 25 | 17,818 | 8 00 | 3,378 | 3 00 |
| 1 | 21 25 | 1 | 13 12½ | 438 | 7 50 | 3,004 | 2 66 |
| 873 | 20 00 | 24 | 13 00 | 341 | 7 00 | 1 | 2 50 |
| 2 | 19 00 | 268 | 12 75 | 1 | 6 75 | 2 | 2 33 |
| 59 | 18 75 | 99 | 12 50 | 61 | 6 66 | 1 | 2 12 |
| 1 | 18 50 | 1 | 12 25 | 2 | 6 50 | 7, 972 | 2 00 |
| 1 | 18 33 | 225 | 12 00 | 1 | 6 40 | 1 | 1 87 |
| 15,010 | 18 00 | 2 | 11 66 | 16 | 6 37 | 5 | 1 66 |
| 14 | 17 50 | 84 | 11 33 | 14 | 6 25 | 2 | 1 50 |
| 484 | 17 00 | 164 | 11 25 | 13,853 | 6 00 | 20 | 1 33 |
| 1 | 16 87 | 4 | 11 00 | 2 | 5 75 | 49 | 1 00 |
| Total number of Army pensions, 99,804. | |||||||
| Number. | Rate. | Number. | Rate. | Number. | Rate. | Number. | Rate. |
| 1 | $38 50 | 5 | $14 25 | 3 | $9 50 | 2 | $3 75 |
| 17 | 31 25 | 4 | 14 00 | 9 | 9 00 | 5 | 3 50 |
| 2 | 30 00 | 1 | 13 75 | 1 | 8 50 | 1 | 3 33 |
| 6 | 25 00 | 3 | 13 50 | 240 | 8 00 | 1 | 3 06 |
| 21 | 24 00 | 4 | 13 25 | 14 | 7 50 | 31 | 3 00 |
| 18 | 20 00 | 2 | 13 00 | 9 | 7 00 | 19 | 2 66 |
| 1 | 19 00 | 20 | 12 50 | 5 | 6 66 | 1 | 2 62 |
| 1 | 18 75 | 7 | 12 00 | 1 | 6 50 | 4 | 2 50. |
| 175 | 18 00 | 2 | 11 50 | 147 | 6 00 | 1 | 2 37 |
| 2 | 17 50 | 1 | 11 25 | 6 | 5 33 | 77 | 2 00 |
| 2 | 17 00 | 2 | 11 00 | 1 | 5 25 | 2 | 1 87. |
| 2 | 16 00 | 7 | 10 75 | 54 | 5 00 | 1 | 1 50 |
| 4 | 15 75 | 3 | 10 50 | 5 | 4 50 | 1 | 1 33 |
| 50 | 15 00 | 50 | 10 00 | 371 | 4 00 | 3 | 1 00 |
| 1 | 14 50 | 1 | 9 75 | ||||
| Total Number of Navy pensions 1,430. | |||||||
There are 88 different rates of Army pensions, and 58 of Navy pen— sions. Forty-three thousand four hundred and eighteen Army invalids, are pensioned at $8 (total disability) and upwards, and 59,386 below $8 per month. Six hundred and sixty-eight Navy invalids are pensioned at 88 per month and upward, and 762 below the rate of total disability.
Widows of revolutionary soldiers.
The roll of widows of revolutionary soldiers has been reduced during the pasta year by the death of twenty-five of these pensioners and the dropping of the name of one.[3] ******* Below is given the number upon the rolls at the close of each year for five years last past:
| June 30, 1869 | 887 |
| June 30, 1870 | 727 |
| June 30,1871 | 634 |
| June 30, 1872 | 471 |
| June 30, 1873 | 445 |
Artificial limbs and commutation therefor under the acts of June 17 and 30, 1870
During the first fiscal year after the passage of the not granting artificial limbs or apparatuses, or in lien thereof, commutation in money, once in live years to invalid soldiers disabled by loss of limb, or resection, there were issued 7,770 commutation orders, amounting to $468,350, and 1,248 bills, amounting to $90,350, were approved for hills for limbs furnished in kind.
During the second year the number of commutation orders issued was 438, amounting to $27,150, and the number of bills approved for limbs furnished in kind was 326, amounting to $23,025. These claims received the concurrent approval of the Surgeon-General and the Commissioner of Pensions.
There were other claims on which a perfect agreement was not had. By act of June 8. 1872, under which the adjudication of these claims was left solely with the Surgeon-General, during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1873, there have been issued 1,332 commutation orders, amounting to $70,550, and during the year there have also been paid 66 bills for limbs in kind, amounting to $4,200.
As the adjudication of these claims is now removed from the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of Pensions, it seems desirable that the pension appropriation should be relieved from the expenses attendant upon their allowance, and that a fund be placed at the control of the SurgeonGeneral for the purpose of paying the same.
Tabular statements.
Herewith will be found the usual annual tabular statements, with others which have been prepared expressly to accompany this report. They are as follows:
A. Number and amount of Army pensions allowed and increased in each State and Territory during the past fiscal year.
B. Amount paid to Army pensioners in each State and Territory during the last fiscal year.
C. Number and amount of Army pensions June 30, 1873, by States and Territories.
D. Balance of Army funds in the hands of pension agents.
E. Number and amount of Navy pensions allowed and increased in each State and Territory during the past fiscal year.
F. Amount paid to Navy pensioners in each State and Territory during the past fiscal year.
G. Number and amount of Navy pensions June 30, 1873, by States and Territories.
H. Balance of Navy funds in the hands of pension agents.
I. Statement of the number of Army, Navy, and privateer pensioners, with the amount paid each year from 1791 to June 30, 1873.
K. Tabular statement of the rates of invalid Army pensions, with the number of pensioners at each rate June 30, 1873.
L. Tabular statement of the rates of invalid Navy pensions, with the number of pensioners at each rate, June 30, 1873.
PENSIONERS OF THE WAR OF 1812.
During the fiscal year the office has received the following number of claims for pension under the act of February 14, 1871: Survivors, 1,481widows, 1,299; total, 2,780. There were re-opened during the year 310 survivors, 272 widows; total, 582. There were admitted during the year: survivors, 8,186; widows, 2,2425 total, 5,428. The number rejected was: survivors, 3,93; widows, 2,082; total, 6,015. Total disposals: survivors, 7,119; widows, 4,324; aggregate, 11,443; leaving the following number of claims pending at the close of the year, viz: survivors, 1,487; widows, 1,523; total, 3,004. The following table shows the entire receipts of claims, and the disposal thereof, under the act in question, since its passage for a period up to October 1,1873:
| Total recipts | Survivors | 29, 510 | |
| Widows | 10,471 | ||
| 39, 981 | |||
| Total admissions | Survivors | 21,108 | |
| Widows | 5,630 | ||
| 26,738 | |||
| Total rejections | Survivors | 7,048 | |
| Widows | 3,448 | ||
| 10,496 | |||
| Total disposals | Survivors | 28,156 | |
| Widows | 9,078 | ||
| 37,234 | |||
| Claims pending | Survivors | 1,354 | |
| Widows | 1,393 | ||
| 2,747 |
Statement allowing oause for rejection of claims filed under act of February 14 1871, for the fiscal your ending June 30, 1873
| Cause | Surviv'rs | Widows. | Total. |
| Insufficient service | 2,834 | 844 | 3,678 |
| Marriage subsequent to treaty of peace | 410 | 410 | |
| Remarriage after death of soldier | 28 | 28 | |
| Consilidation and transfer | 59 | 15 | 74 |
| Miscellaneous | 1,040 | 785 | 1,825 |
| 3,933 | 2,082 | 6,015 |
As foreshadowed in my last report, the work of this division has been substantially brought to a close; nearly the whole of the large force that has heretofore been engaged thereon having either been dropped or assigned to other duties.
The claims yet pending are principally those not proven, and which for various reasons are incapable of being satisfactorily sustained by evidence.
New claims are being received at the average rate of 120 per month, and, as will be observed in the foregoing tabular statement, the total of claims received (40,041) is but ninety-two less than the number of persons estimated by this office as probably entitled at the date of the passage of the original act, viz, 40,133.
BOUNTY-LAND.
The whole number of bounty-land warrants issued during the year ending June 30, 1873, was 340, representing 52,160 acres, as follows:
| Act of February 11 1847-1 warrant, 80 acres | 80 | acres. |
| Act of September 2§, 1850-1 warrant, 160 acres | 160 | acres. |
| Act of March 3, 1855-301 warrants, 160 acres | 48, 160 | acres. |
| Act of Merch 3, 1855-21 warrants, 120 acres | 2, 520 | acres. |
| Act of March 3, 1855-15 warrants, 80 acres | 1,200 | acres. |
| Act of March 3, 1855-1 warrant, 80 acres | 40 | acres. |
During the year there have been received 1,034 applications for bounty-land, of which number 437 have been rejected as identical with claims previously allowed.
During the ten years from 1864 to 1873, inclusive, warrants were issued as follows: In 1864, 1,812; 1865, 1,161; 1866, 406; 1867, 954; 1868,1,077; 1869,1,650; 1S70,1,758; 1871, 2,598; 1872, 443; 1873, 340.
It will be perceived that the number of warrants issued in the past year is less than during any other of the years mentioned. The principal cause of this reduction was the more careful adjudication of claims, induced by the discovery of frauds. Of suspended claims, under the several bounty-land acts, there are now on tile 99,587.
The total amount of land for which warrants have been issued for military service since the organization of the Government is 74,052,811 acres, which, estimated at $1.25 per acre, the minimum price, is equal in value to $92,566,013.75, as shown by the annexed table:
| Acres. | |
| Act of September 16, 1776, revolutionary | 2,095,12 |
| Act of February —, 1801, Canadian refuges | 57,860 |
| Scrip acts of 1830, 1832, 1833, 1335, and 1852 | 2,459,511 |
| Act of August 10, 1790, Virginia military district, (Ohio) | 3,669,848 |
| Act of May 6, 1812, War of 1512 | 4,846,240 |
| Act of March 5, 1816, Canadian volunteers. | 75,792 |
| Act of February 11, 1847, Mexican war | 13,207,880 |
| Act of January 26, 1849, Mexican war, (special) | 1,280 |
| Act of February 28 1850 | 13,165,880 |
| Act of March 22,1852 | 693,920 |
| Act of February 28, 1855, war of 1812, (special) | 160 |
| Act of March 3, 1855 | 33,779,320 |
| Total acres | 74,052,811 |
In addition to this amount, there were issued under the act of February 11, 1847 in lieu of land-warrants, 2,729 certificates, amounting to $238,400, which, added to the amount above given as the minimum value of land granted, makes the total value of grants $92,804,413.75.
In the last annual report your attention was invited to the fact that the character of parol evidence tiled in many claims for bounty-land was continually inducing suspicion of the validity of the claims; and I added:
"Unjust and incomplete claims are bought by unscrupulous agents for trifling sums, and are completed by an abuse of a privilege granted by authority of the third section of the act of May 14,1856, admitting parol evidence to establish a claim when no record exists. By stringent rules and regulations, this Bureau has sought to prevent these wrongs. But the only complete protection will be found in the repeal of the section to which reference has been made."
Experience, since the above suggestion was made, has confirmed the conviction that the position then taken was fully justified, and I do now earnestly ask that Congress be requested either to repeal said third section of act of May 14, 1856, (United States Statutes, vol. 11, p. 8,) or so to amend the same as to preclude the acceptance of parol evidence where record evidence of the service of the company (in which service by the claimant is alleged) exists.
It is also deemed advisable that the act of March 3 1869, (United states Statutes, vol. 15, p. 336,) construing the act of June, 1858, (United States Statutes, vol. 11,, p. 308,) so as to "authorize the legal representatives of deceased claimants, whose claims were filed prior to their decease, to the the proof necessary to perfect the same," should be so amended as to transfer the authority therein given from the legal representatives to the heirs or legatees of deceased claimants. FRAUDS AND SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS.
In the last annual report I dwelt at some length upon the subject of fraudulent pension claims. Attention was invited to the defects of the present system of determining the right to a pension, and the opinion was expressed that those defects rendered hands so easy, and that consequently there was, in fact, so large a percentage of cases wrongfully established, as to challengethe careful consideration of Congress, and that some remedy should, i.e possible, be devised. The experience of the past year has confirmed and emphasized that view.
The principal weakness of the system consists, as was then stated, in accepting as a basis of adjudication ex-parte affidavits, which the Government has no power to sift by cross-examination, while at the same time it has no means of research for adverse testimony. In my opinion there can be, under these conditions, no security to the Government against dishonest claims, and probably the proportion of such claims which will be successfully prosecuted will increase, rather than diminish, the dishonest attorneys becoming more skilled, and the temptation to fraud becoming greater, as the average value of pension is enhanced by the accumulation of arrears and growing liberality of legislation.
Frequently considerable time is necessarily consumed in obtaining such evidence of violation of the law as will warrant the institution of proceedings in the courts, and in such cases, among the obstacles to success in seeming the punishment of offenders is the shortness of the period during which, under the statute of limitation, an indictment must be found. In view of this fact, I earnestly urge your attention to the propriety of recommending to Congress the necessity of an extension of the term of limitation to Five,years.
The special service, as at present organized, is necessarily mainly occupied with cases of suspected fraud, where pension has already been allowed. It is doing important, valuable, and successful work. Every effort has been made to increase its efficiency and to perfect its organization. The direct saving to the Treasury from its work is many times greater than the sum expended in maintaining it; and the indirect saving by repressing fraud is known to this office to be most satisfactory. But as a means of prevention of fraud it is entirely insufficient, and in my belief no remedy will he found to be adequate which does not subject all the parol proof offered in support of claims to the sifting process to which it is subjected in ordinary courts of law, and which does not empower the Government to inquire into the facts in each case independently of claimant and his attorney, and there is no doubt that the reduction of the roll which would result from the adoption of such methods would justify the cost of such a system, even though that cost should be very considerable.
MEDICAL DIVISION—EXAMINING SURGEONS.
Since the date of my last report the number of examining surgeons has slightly decreased. During the year ending June 30, 1873, 25 have been dismissed on account of professional incompetency; 30 have been dropped because of change of residence; 43 have been dropped for various other reasons, including neglect of duty; 08 have resigned; 19 have died; and 176 have been appointed. The whole number at this date is 1,394.
Although there has been a slight decrease in their number, the area represented by the roster is considerably greater than at any time hitherto in the history of the office. The rapid settlement of the Western States and Territories, the population of which contains no inconsiderable element of those who served in the Army or Navy during the late war, has demanded the appointment of examining surgeons to meet the want thus created. In their appointment it has been the object to locate them so as to best serve the convenience of pensioners and claimants, and yet not to make any appointment in excess of the actual demand, it having been the constant experience of this office that such excess entails vexation and mischief, and not unfrequently attempts at fraud.
As hitherto in the conduct of the office, no effort has been spared to instruct the surgeons as to what is desired of them, and to incite them to increased care in conducting the examinations and in the construe tion of the certificates of examination.
There is every reason to believe that this has been attended by good results, since, while two years ago about 40 per cent. of the certificates were returned to the surgeons for correction or for greater detail, there are now not more than 5 per cent. returned to them, and these to such surgeons as, newly appointed, are not yet familiar with the requirements. This improvement in the character of the certificates of examination has resulted, it is firmly believed, in a degree of intelligence and accuracy in the adjudication of invalid claims not before attained.
As said in my report of 1872, the certificates of examination constitute a very important part of every invalid claim, and practically amount to vouchers for the disbursement of the pension appropriation, and I take pleasure in saying that at no time in the history of the office has the examination of invalid claimants been so thorough, nor the certificates thereof so accurate in the "particular description," as within the past year.
The act of Congress of March 3, 1873, codifying the laws in existence, as recommended in the last report, provided by its 38th section for the appointment of a "duly qualified surgeon as medical referee," and for the appointment of such other duly "qualified surgeons (not exceeding four) as the exigencies of the service may require," as aids to the medical referee. Immediately upon the passage of the act, Dr. T. B. Hood, who had been chief of the medical division, was appointed medical referee, and, after an examination in compliance with the civil service regulations of such character as to insure qualifications of a high grade, Drs. J. B. G. Baxter, N. F. Graham, William Grinsted, and W. L. Worcester, were appointed as his aids.
The records of this office contain matter relating to injuries and diseases, particularly those forms incident to military service, which, properly classified and tabulated, would be not only of professional and general interest, but of great practical value, as affording, in case of need, basis for intelligent calculation and legislation. From these facts, tabulated, could be studied many questions touching the rarer forms of gunshot wounds, and the relation of some of the commoner forms of a disease—consumption, for instance—to military service. Many other questions, such as the influence of war in unfitting any given mass of people of a country for manual labor, might be studied from them also— questions which, in their social bearing, are daily becoming more and more important, and of greater and greater interest to the scientist and statesman.
It was hoped to be able to present herewith a table bearing upon the average life of the invalid pensioner of the United States, but so extremely difficult was it found to collate the data that it was necessarily abandoned. There is presented, however, a short table exhibiting the average life, after being pensioned, of 684 invalid pensioners of the revolutionary war. Its value consists in that it relates to a class of persons concerning whom almost anything is interesting. It may be said the data from which it is constructed were collected from various sources, and that it is thought that all means of information touching the subject were exhausted.
| State | No. of pensioners | Avergae duration of life from date of pension | ||
| Years | Months | Days | ||
| New Hampshire | 17 | 14 | 3 | 2 |
| Vermont | 18 | 10 | 9 | 1 |
| Maaachusetts | 94 | 11 | 3 | 19 |
| Rhode Island | 16 | 16 | 4 | 5 |
| Connecticut | 97 | 15 | 1 | 15 |
| New York | 83 | 11 | 4 | 7 |
| New Jersey | 36 | 11 | 1 | 10 |
| Pennsylvia | 190 | 9 | 7 | 6 |
| Maryland | 51 | 7 | 1 | 5 |
| Delaware | 18 | 12 | 4 | |
| Virgina | 46 | 14 | 9 | 11 |
| North Carolina | 16 | 9 | 8 | |
| South Carolina | 1 | 2 | 4 | |
| North Carolina | 1 | 2 | 4 | |
| Georgia | 1 | 9 | 9 | |
| 684 | 11 | 5 | 8 | |
Disabilities and rating.
The existing method of rating disabilities is attended with great confusion and uncertainty, and is open to grave objections. This grows out of the purely technical use of the word " total " in its application to a disability which is not total. Prior to the act of June 6, 1866, the greatest sum which could be paid to any grade of rank was fixed by the amount representing the total of that grade. That act provided that a private, or any officer whose total was less than $20, should, for a disability which disabled him for " any manual labor," that is, wholly dis~ abled him, be paid $20 per month, at the same time leaving the "totals" for each grade of rank, unchanged. It followed necessarily that the word total came to have two meanings for each of these grades, and that an officer below the rank of captain, who was totally disabled, could claim by rank or disability as he elected. It is found extremely difficult to instruct a newly-appointed surgeon, so that he will make the distinctions practised by the office, in preparing his certificates of examination. When told that a private's total is $8, and that still he is paid $24 dollars when totally disabled, he is at once confused, and asks what degree of disability is recognized as entitling a private to a " total rating."
The difficulty lies in the shitting basis, and this applies equally to all, or nearly all, the ranks.
It is clear that the only remedy for the confusion growing out of the technical use of the word " total " would be such change as would fix a total (disability) for the performance of any manual labor, as the unit; any proportion of disability for any manual labor to be expressed by fractional rating. The subject is being fully considered, but as yet I do not icel able to do more than point out these objections, and to suggest the propriety of some change, without in the least indicating any detail.
The present neglected condition of pension claims of the heirs of Indians of the Cherokee and Greek nations, who served in the Union army during the war of 1861, seems to me so wholly irremediable under existent laws, as to warrant the consideration of some further legislation tor their relief The preparation of these claims almost exclusively by one attorney, was in such disregard of the laws and departmental regulations thereunder as to prompt investigation in the vicinage of the claimants, and said investigations, (the results of which are included in the report of Indian affairs committee, No. 96, second session forty-second Congress, and the report of the same committee, No. 98, third session forty-second Congress,) while they satisfied this office that the Indians themselves had not attempted fraud, induced the conclusion that the requirements relative to the execution of applications, and the character of evidence of marriage should be modified, and that the limitations as to time of filing, and the period for completion of the claims, not supported by record evidence as to cause of death, should be extended. Both these changes were made by provisions in the act of March 3, 1873.
The legal modifications to which reference is above made do not overcome the difficulties to which the Indian claimants are subjected by reason of their marriage customs, and the laxity of their regulations respecting records of births and deaths, as well as the loose manner in which the regimental and company records of the said soldiers were kept; and it seems hardly possible to alter the general pension law so as entirely to accomplish the removal of those obstacles. But I am of the opinion that the law might be so amended as to provide that where the records show enlistment, and there is proof of death during the term for which the soldier enlisted, from any cause incident to the service, further evidence, either record or parol, as to service and death, shall not be required; that some more specific and applicable requirement as to marriage might be established; and further, that evidence of the care and custody of minors, with such other proof as is available from the Indian records, shall he accepted as evidence of guardianship, with such distinction as may seem proper where the mothers have been the parties in charge.
The changes which have transpired in the Indian Territory since the origin of these claims, by reason of which the United States Government has virtually acquired a practical and political jurisdiction not heretofore had, seem to render the execution of these suggestions more feasible and desirable.
POLICY AND PROGRESS OF THE PENSION SYSTEM.
Believing that the general policy of the Government in providing for pensions to those who suffer by reason of service in the Army or Navy, and the progress which has thus far been made in liberalizing and in the execution of that policy, should be present, in a brief and comprehensive shape, to those who may desire any further changes thereof, and that a general review of the laws which have been enacted will best secure that presentation, the annexed has been prepared.
The resolutions of the Continental Congress, of August 26, 1776, and April 23, 1782, form the basis of the pension system of the United States. INVALID PENSIONS
The resolutions of August 26, 1776, provided that an officer or soldier of the Army so disabled in the service tin the Revolutionary war) as to be "incapable of afterwards getting a livelihood" should be paid, after cessation of pay for service, and during the continuance of such disability, one half his monthly pay; and that a commissioned officer, marine, or seaman of a ship of war or armed vessel, who should be disabled as above stated, should be paid in the amount and manner above provided, except that in case of loss of as limb in an engagement in which a prize should be taken, the amount of prize-money received by the party so disabled should be accounted as part of his half-pay.
It was also provided that applications should be made to the legislative bodies of the respective States in which the applicants resided; and, further, that should the disability not be total the pension should he such as might be deemed adequate by the legislature of the State in which he resided, not exceeding his half pay; and that such of said persons entitled to pensions as were capable of doing guard-duty, were to be formed into a corps of invalid, and so employed. By resolution af April 23, 1782, the pension was restricted to $5 per month, in lieu of all pay and emoluments, to all the sick and wounded of the army who preferred to be discharged, and so pensioned in lieu of service in the invalid corps.
By act of April 30, 1790, it was provided that any officer or soldier who should be wounded or disabled while in the line of his duty should be pensioned at such rate and under such regulations as should be directed by the President of the United States, not to exceed half-pay for officers nor $5 for privates per month. By act of March 23, 1792, these pensions were confirmed for life, or during the continuance of disability, and the payment of them, previously made by the respective States, was assumed by the United States. Said act also prohibited any pledge, assignment, or transfer of any right or interest in the pension. Act of February 21, 1795, provided that the right to pension should commence at the time of completion of testimony; and the act of March 3, 1795, continued the $5 pension to privates and the half-pay pension to commissioned officers, with proviso that all inferior disabilities should entitle the person so disabled to receive an allowance proportionate to the highest disability. Other acts were subsequently passed, not materially modifying the preceding, until the repeal of all former acts. This was done by the act of April 10, 1806. Said act of April 10, 1806, comprised the provisions of the act of February 21 and March 3, 1795, as above stated, restricted the highest pension to the half-pay of a lieutenant-colonel; provided for increase of those pensioned at lower rates to such sums as should be found just and proper by the testimony adduced, to exceed in no case the full pension 'provided by act of March 3, 1795. The benefits of the act of April 10 were, by act of April 25 1808, extended to all persons who served after the Revolution, and before the passage of the last-named act.
The acts of January 11 and February 6, 1812, and that of January 29, 1813, provided for half pay pension to soldiers of the war of 1812 in the same manner as had been provided for the soldiers of the Revolution. The act of April 24, 1816, increased the rates of pension to full-pay, as follows: First lieutenants to $17, second lieutenants to $15, third lieutenants to $14, ensigns to $13, non-commissioned officers, musicians, or privates, $8 per month, leaving that of officers of higher rank than above mentioned at half-pay as before.
The act of March 18, 1818, provided for all who had served for nine months or more in the war of the Revolution in the Army, and to those who served in the Navy, and should become indigent, if a commissioned officer, a pension of $20, and if of a lower grade, $8 per month during life. The pension was enlarged to full-pay to officers and soldiers of the continental line, May 15, 1828.
The act of June 7, 1832, gave all (except foreign officers) who had served for two years in the war of the Revolution, in the land or naval forces, full-pay pension, and to those who had so served at least six months an amount proportionate according to the length of their service.
The act of May 13, 1846, provided for pensions to the disabled volunteers of the war with Mexico, in accordance with the laws then existent and applicable to the war of 1812.
The general provisions for the pensions of various classes of invalids who were disabled in the wars above mentioned stood as heretofore stated until 1864 (April 1) when an additional annual stipend of $100 was granted to each surviving revolutionary pensioner for life, and in 1871 (February 14) the requirement of disability in claims on account of service in the war of 1812 was dispensed with, service of sixty days and proof of loyalty during the war for the suppression of the rebellion only being required, and a pension not to exceed $8 per month provided for then surviving officers and enlisted and drafted men of said war.
In July, 1861, an act, providing for employing volunteers for suppression of the rebellion, promised to those who should be disabled in said service the same rates of full-pay pension as were provided by act hitherto named for the invalids of the war of 1812 and the Mexican war.
In July, (14,) 1862, an act was passed re-enacting the provisions of the act of July 22, 1861, and specifying the rates of pension to invalids, the same as those of the act of April 24,1816, with the additional specification of the exact amounts of full pension to be paid to those of higher rank than first lieutenant. Subsequently provision was made for pensions for particular disabilities at fixed rates, as follows: In 1864, (July 4.) for loss of both eyes, $25 per month, and for loss of both feet, $20 per month. In 1865 (March 3) pension for loss of one foot and one hand at same rate as had been provided for loss of both feet, $20 per month. In 1866 (June 6) for loss of one hand or one foot, pension ot $15 per month. In 1868 (July 27) to those who, having but one eye on entering the service, shall have lost the same, $25 per month.
In 1872 (June 8, to commence June 4) the above specific disability pensions were increased as follows: From $25 to $31.25, from $20 to $25, and from $15 to $18, and in 1873 (March 3) pension for loss of B leg above the knee, and such consequent disability as to preclude the use of an artificial limb, was specifically provided for at $24, and the loss of hearing likewise at $13 per month.
The above shows that the provisions for invalids' pensions have been, from time to time, but generally at long intervals, liberalized as to the requirements upon which claims should be based. In claims on account of service in the Revolution, first requiring service and disability, and without limitation as to time of filing claims, allowing only half-pay pension; seventeen years after, two years, limitation for filing was adopted, and two years thereafter the date of completion of the required proof was made the date of commencement of pension. Forty-two years passed before pension was granted on account of indigence, and fifty-two years elapsed before full-pay pension was allowed. In provisions for pensions of invalids in the war of 1812, no material change was made until the act of February 14, 1871.
In provisions for pensions for invalids of the war of Mexico, there has been no important change up to the present time. It is, however, proper here to state that the time of limitation of two years for filing, which governed the revolutionary claims, was extended to three years with reference to pensions of all wars by the act of July 14, 1862, with the renewal of the proviso that the commencement of pension should be from the date of completion of proof, and the time of filing was extended in 1868 (July 27) to live years.
Within three years after the first act providing pension for invalids of the last war, provisions for specific disabilities were commenced, and have been continued from time to time, as heretofore stated. In addition to the large increase on account of specific disabilities which has been provided since the commencement of the late war, numerous disabilities, for which, under the old laws, only ordinary pensions were granted, have been included among those which are ranked as equivalent to the specific disabilities, and for which much higher rates are provided.
From and after July 25, 1866, for all persons who had been or should be pensioned under acts prior to March 4, 1861, the same rates as those of same class pensioned under act of 1862 (July 14) and those subsequent were provided.
Pensions to widows, minors, and dependents.
The first extension of the pension provisions to widows and orphans was by resolution of August 24, 1780, which gave the half-pay pension tor seven years to widows officers who had died, or might die in the service, and to the orphans, if no widow survived the soldier, or upon the death or remarriage of his widow. An act passed March 16, 1802, fixing the military peace establishment of the United States, gave half pay pension for live years to the widows and minor children of commissioned officers dying from wounds received in actual service. The act of January'll, 1812, providing for raising an additional military force, also provided for half-pay pension for live years to the widows and minor children of officers dying by reason of wounds received in actual service. By the act of August 2, 1813, five years' half-pay pension was granted to widows and orphans of privates.
No further action in favor of widows and orphans was had for nearly twenty-three years, when the act of July4, 1836, was passed. Said act provided for half-pay pensions for five years to the widows and orphan of privates who died in the service after April 20, 1818, or in consequence of wounds received in the service after said date. This act also provided for payment to widows and orphans of the arrears of the invalid pensions under the following conditions: Where the service of the deceased was such as is specified under act of June 7, 1832, and he had died after March 4, 1831, and before the passage of the act of June 7, 1832, and also where the widow was married to him before the expiration of his service, the amount that would have accrued to him if he had survived the passage of said act, provided she still remained his widow. The act of March 3, 1837, also granted the arrears as aforesaid, on the same conditions, to the widows who had married after the decease of the husbands for whose services they claimed pension, provided they were widows at the time of the passage of the act, and the same to those whose husbands served until November 3, 1783; and the resolution of July 7, 1838, extended the grant of said arrears, on the some conditions, also, to those whose husbands should thereafter die. The same day an act was passed restricting said provision for arrears in those who were married before January 1, 1794. (Said act also added to the prohibition against pledge or transfer of pension, that the same "shall inure wholly to the personal benefit of the pensioner.")
From March 4, 1841, to March 4, 1843, no pension was provided for widows in their own right, except to those included in the provisions of the act of July 4, 1836. August 16, 1842, the restriction relative to widows whose husbands died after the passage of the act of June 7 1832, and before that of the act of 1838, was removed; and on the 23d of same month the bar to claims of widows who had remarried was removed—provided they were widows at the time of application for pension. March 3, 1843, the five years widows' pensions were extended from March 4, 1836, to March 4, 1844, and in 1844 again extended to March 4, 1848. April 30, 1844, a provision was enacted that no pension should thereafter be granted to a widow for the same time during which her husband had received one; and on the 2d of February, 1848, an act was passed continuing pensions to the widows of the officers and privates of the Army of the Revolution during widowhood. On the 21st of J uly of the same year an act granting the benefits of the act of July 4,1836, to the widows and orphans of officers and privates of the Mexican war twas passed. On the 29th of the same month an act was passed granting pensions to widows (of revolutionary soldiers and officers) who were married before 1800; and on the 11th of August of the same year it was enacted that the pensions of widows of officers, seamen, and other employés of the Navy, should be continued during widowhood.
In 1849 (February 22) the act of July 20, 1848, was so amended as to include the widows and minor children of persons who were wounded or contracted disease in the service, of which they died after their discharge and return to their homes; and by the resolution of September 28, 1850, said acts were made to include the widows and minor children of those who had died after the passage of said acts.
In 1853 (February 3) provision was made for pensions to widows of the revolutionary war married after the 1st of January, 1800, and for renewal of the pension for five years to widows and minor children of officers and soldiers of the Florida and Mexican wars, the war of 1812, and the Indian wars. In 1854 the above was amended so that no widow should he deprived of the benefits of it, provided she should be a widow at the time of application.
In 1858 (June 3) pensions to widows of all wars subsequent to the Revolution were extended to continue during widowhood.
The act of April 2, 1862, cuts off all claims for pension or increase of pension by children or descendants of those who served in the war of the Revolution, when the claim to pension was not established by those who served or by their widows.
The act of July 14, 1862, grants pensions to the widows, minor children, dependent mothers, and dependent sisters, of persons who died from any cause which originated in the military or naval service, and line of duty, after the 4th of March 1861, at the rate to which their husbands and fathers would have been entitled under the same act. The act of June 6, 1866, extended the benefits provided by time act of July 14, 1862, for mothers and sisters, to the dependent fathers and dependent brothers.
The act of July 25, 1866, increased the pension of Widows provided for by the act of July 14, 1862, $2 per month for each child under sixteen, by herself, of the person on account of whose service and death the widow was entitled to the aforesaid original pension; and also increased the pension to the minor children provided for by the act of July 14, 1862, by granting $2 per month for each of them, where there was more than one.
The act of July 27, 1868, provided for the increase of the pension of the widows by adding also $2 per month on account of each of the children by a former wife of the person on account of whose service and death she was entitled to the original pension.
In the act of February 14, 1871, provision is made for pension at the same rate that,is prescribed for the surviving officers and enlisted and drafted men of the war of 1812, to their widows who were married before the treaty of peace which terminated said war.
The addition to the expenditure in payment of pensions by reason of increase of rates, the including of so large a proportion of the pensioners among those entitled to the higher rates, and the extension of the benefits of the pension laws to so many classes of pensioners, have been so great as to warrant consideration in connection with any proposition for further increase.
GENERAL REMARKS.
There has been a decided increase in the general business of the office, resulting from the changes in legislation which required the re-adjustment of so large a. number of claims, and the careful review of all the certificates of the recent biennial examination. This imposed unusual labor upon the clerical force, and necessitates unavoidable delays in the transaction of routine business. Greater satisfaction could be given the public if Congress would be pleased to make a small addition to the clerical force; but if reasonable time can be granted Without working injustice to claimants, the present force will soon be adequate to the demands made upon the office.
I have ordered the preparation of a grand alphabetical roll of pensioners, which shall comprise, in a record relative to each pension which has been granted, the following features.: Name of soldier; name and residence of the pensioner; number of pension certificate; act under which it was granted; commencement and termination of the pension; such changes as may have been made in it; and, so far as practicable. the disability, or cause of death, on account of which it was granted, The incomplete character of the roll, as heretofore kept, has been for years clearly manifest, and it is believed that the method adopted as above stated, after careful consideration, will secure a concise, correct, and available statement of every pension awarded by the Government.
The attention of Congress was invited in my last report to the necessity of a complete codification of the pension laws. Congress was pleased to act upon the suggestion then offered, and the office is now operating under the codified laws, approved March 3, 1873. The objects sought by this legislation have been in the main accomplished, and the confused mass of laws has been made uniform and consistent. The large and increasing number of instances in which claims for increase of invalid pensions having been once adjudicated, are immediately, or before a reasonable time has elapsed, renewed, and new adjustment urged, is a source of embarrassment to the office, and the question presents itself whether it might not be well to prescribe by law a definite period of time during which, after any adjudication of an invalid-pension claim, acquiesced in by the claimant, the rate of pension should remain as fixed in that adjudication.
Attention has been heretofore invited to the insecure condition of the Seaton House. I now respectfully refer to what I stated in my report of last year, so that Congress may be duly impressed with their responsibility in case any calamity should occur.
Experience constantly teaches us the manifest injustice of longer delay in reorganizing the Bureau by a system of positive law, definitely fixing duties by creating heads of divisions, and granting a compensation adequate to the responsibilities. This was proposed at the last session of Congress, but action was withheld on the ground that legislation would be had at the long session for a general re-organization of all the bureaus of the Government. It is to be hoped that an act, so necessary to the proper legal appointments of the public service, and reasonable justice to faithful and competent employes, will be considered and enacted at the coming session of Congress.
The operations of the civil service, so far as this Bureau is concerned, have been highly satisfactory. There is an increased demand for accuracy and efficiency in the manner in which the public work is performed. The demand is reasonable, necessary, and I might also add, imperative. The civil-service rules may be regarded as the product in this direction of the just sentiment of the country, and so far as my power extends they shall receive my willing cooperation as the head of the Bureau.
It may not be amiss to say, in this connection, that one of the great practical effects of the enforcement of these rules has been the marked cessation of importunate applications tor position. On assuming the duties of the office of Commissioner of Pensions, fully one-fourth of the hours of official business was consumed by questions arising out of the matter of appointments and removals, and that generally, too, from source which could not be disregarded. This embarrassment-and it was a most serious one-has disappeared, and my time can be freely given to more legitimate duties, to the great advantage of the public service.
It may also be added that the sentiment prevails among the many good men we have in the Bureau, that it is safer to maintain their position by reason of capacity and fidelity than to be at the mercy of political friends. And it is also apparent that, as these rules have become an established fact, they work out a certain logical result by inspiring the clerical force with the idea that their retention in office is now entirely dependent upon themselves, and they apply themselves with more care and fidelity to the performance of duty.
If Congress would go a step further, and provide adequate compensation for those who are charged with grave responsibilities, the movement for civil-service reform would be far more complete.
Hon. C. Delano, Secretary of the Interior.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE CENSUS.
Sir: In compliance with the requirements of law, I have the honor to report the operations of this Office during the year just closed.
In the last annual report it was stated that all the statistical tables which it was proposed to embrace in the publications of the Ninth Census had then been completed. No small amount of labor, however, still remained to be done during the progress of these tables through the press. It has been the uniform rule of the Office that every page of figures should be added and proved in type, independently of previously ascertained totals. When it is considered that the three quarto volumes contain over 2,100 pages of tabular matter, having often as many as 22 vertical columns and 90 horizontal lines to the page, some impression may be obtained of the amount of labor involved in this effort to secure the highest attainable accuracy in the publication of the census. It has, of course, not been found practicable to eliminate every error from the material which was brought into the Office by the enumeration, or from the results as compiled in the Office, but certainly all who have taken part in the labors or responsibilities of the Ninth Census may well feel repaid for their exertions by the gratifying reception which these volumes have met from the people and the press of the country. In the revision of the statistical tables as they were put into type, this Office has been greatly assisted by the intelligent interest and kindly co-operation of the Congressional Printer, Hon. A. M. Clapp, who has afforded every opportunity consistent with other demands upon his office for the perfecting of this important national work, even to the last detail of publication. The several dates of issue for the three quarto volumes and the compendium were as follows: Population and social statistics, (quarto,) November 30, 1872; vital statistics, (quarto,) March 1, 1873; compendium, (octavo,) May 1, 1873; industry and wealth, May 9, 1873.
The revision of tabular statements has, however, not been the only work upon which the clerical force of the Office has been engaged during the year past. Each census brings into the Department an increasing mass of manuscript record, the usefulness of which, as record, is to depend wholly on the orderliness and compactness with which it shall be arranged for reference and consultation, after the compilation of general results for publication has been completed. The manuscript returns of the Ninth Census contain not only the name of every man, woman, and child in the United States on the 1st of June, 1870, in number 38,558,371, but nineteen entries, descriptive or merely affirmative or negative, against every such name. Moreover, every farm, factory, mill, or shop in the United States is returned by its location and the name of its owner, with from fifteen to fifty-two specifications of capital, stock, machinery, material, and product. In addition to the above, the statistics of mortality and what are known as the social statistics compose a body of manuscript larger than would have been required for the whole enumeration of the United States at the first two censuses, on the schedules then in use. The completion of the statistical tables of the census for publication leaves something like one million five hundred thousand pages in such place and order as the necessities of compilation required. Each of the five schedules must thereafter be brought together, sheet to sheet, township to township, county to county, State to State. The returns of each of the five classes must be prepared for binding by arranging the pages in numerical succession within the township, the townships in alphabetical order within the county, the counties in alphabetical order within the State. When this has been done, the record of the census is complete, 550 folio volumes of manuscript at 1870, of the average weight of 30 pounds.
The work, of which a rough description has here been given, has been carefully performed by skilled clerks, in order that the highest possible authority might be given to the record, and to secure the greatest ease and convenience of reference and consultation in the future.
Not less exacting have been the duties imposed upon the Office by the act of the last session providing for the payment of the assistant marshals of 1860, without proof of loyalty, as heretofore required.
By the act of March 3,1873, making appropriations "for the legislative, executive, and judicial expenses of the Government for the year ending June 30, 1874, and for other purposes," the Secretary of the Treasury was directed to "pay to the census-takers of 1860, or their assigns, the sums set to their credit now in the Treasury of the United States, any provision of existing laws to the contrary notwithstanding." In this legislation it was assumed that the accounts of the unpaid census-takers at the Eighth Census were in the Treasury Department; but the dict was otherwise. During the continuance of the Census Office us organized for the purposes of the Eighth Census, the Treasury Department received no notification of services rendered in enumeration, except upon and after the payment of individual accounts for such services, the marshals and assistant marshals for that census having been paid directly by the disbursing clerk of the Census Office. Subsequently to the disbandment of the Census Office, accounts of assistant marshals were occasionally paid by the disbursing clerk of the Department of the Interior, upon requisitions issued by the Treasury; but it was only in cases where the accounts were complete for payment that they were forwarded to the latter Department. The great body of claims from the Southern States, being cut off from present payment by the requirements of law in respect to proof of loyalty, were held in the Department of the Interior awaiting a11thority and appropriation for their adjustment. The passage of the act of March 3, 1873, therefore, involved the careful re-examination of these accounts, their verification by the original census returns of 1860, and the identification of claimants. Blank forms for executing the necessary papers were immediately dispatched to the latest known addresses of the unpaid assistant marshals of 1860. Up to the present time, the accounts of 828 assistant marshals, reaching a total of $164,341.53, have been forwarded to the Fifth Auditor of the Treasury for his action.
The following table exhibits the number and aggregate amount of claims which have thus been adjusted for each of the judicial districts of 1860. It will be seen that three of the claims adjusted were from non-slaveholding States, the persons interested having, it may be presumed, been compromised by subsequent removal to States in rebellion; at any rate, not offering to make proof of loyalty while that requirement of law continued as a condition of payment:
| Judicial Districts | Number of Claims | Amount of Claims | Judicial Districts | Number of Claims | Amount of Claims |
| Alabama, northern | 31 | $4,025 85 | Missouri, eastern | 8 | $926 44 |
| Alabama, Southern | 48 | 13,798 98 | Missouri, Western | 8 | 3,041 50 |
| Arkansas, eastern | 48 | 7,656 52 | North Carolina | 88 | 15,171 43 |
| Arkansas, western | 12 | 2,422 34 | South Carolina | 41 | 20,113 83 |
| California, northern | 2 | 1,212 78 | Tennessee, eastern | 26 | 4,285 43 |
| Florida, northern | 18 | 2,011 64 | Tennessee, middle | 24 | 4,265 66 |
| Georgia | 92 | 21,022 31 | Tennessee, western | 13 | 3,197 59 |
| Kentucky | 32 | 4,691 31 | Texas, eastern | 19 | 2,877,38 |
| Louisana, eastern | 26 | 4,549 | Texas,Western | 70 | 9,094 |
| Louisana, western | 24 | 6,710 18 | Virgina, eestern | 111 | 18,634 93 |
| Maine | 1 | 33 06 | Virginia, western | 20 | 3,195 13 |
| Mississippi, northern | 25 | 5,704 43 | |||
| Mississippi, Southern | 29 | 5,698 04 | |||
| Total | 828 | 164,341 53 |
The First Comptroller of the Treasury having notified this Office of his decision that the term "census takers" in the act cited does not embrace United States marshals superintending the enumeration, but only assistant-marshals, the actual enumerators, no steps have been taken toward the adjustment of the claims of the unpaid marshals at the Eighth Census. The number of such marshals is 18. As no authority or appropriation exists for their payment, their accounts have not been taken up for final adjustment. The amount appearing as due them under the act of May 23, 1850, in connection with the Eighth Census, is in the neighborhood of $9,000. All but one of these claimants, however, appear on the books of the Treasury Department as debtors in larger sums to the United States, on account of moneys in their hands for the expenses of their offices at the outbreak of the rebellion, and not accounted for. It is, therefore, unnecessary to contemplate or provide for their payment as marshals in respect to the census, at this or any future time.
There still remain two United States marshals and twenty-three assistant marshals at the Ninth Census with whom no final settlement of account has been made. The total amount of the possible claims on these accounts is $5,270. Of the marshals unpaid, one has made no claim for compensation, having, as is understood, absconded; the other is reported by the Department of Justice as a defaulter to the United State in a much larger sum than his compensation would amount to for services in respect to the census. Of the assistant marshals indicated, four, claiming a total amount of $501.63, have failed to return their receipts for payment as required by the Treasury Department; five, claiming the total amount of 81,27S.20, have been refused payment for fraud, or gross delinquency tantamount to fraud, and fourteen, claiming the total amount of $2,738.04, have failed of payment by reason of the refusal of the marshals of their respective judicial districts to furnish the pay certificates required as a condition of payment by the act of May 23, 1850. In the majority of cases this refusal of the marshal is based on the refusal or neglect of the assistant marshal to make copies of his returns as required by law. In each of the foregoing cases a statement of the reasons for refusing or delaying payment has been filed in the Department for reference, should any of the claimants appear at a future time. I see no reason, however, to believe that any considerable portion of these claims will ever be perfected for payment.
The balance of appropriation on account of the Ninth Census remaining unexpended at date is 81,450.90.
The clerical force of the Office has been reduced as rapidly as was consistent with the performance of the duties before enumerated. The following table exhibits the number and grade of clerks employed at each of the dates specified. In accordance with the universal custom of the Department, a short leave of absence was given each clerk on discharge, to afford means and opportunity for seeking other employment. It will, therefore, be understood that the actual service in the Census Office of these clerks ceased by an average term of one month earlier than would appear from the dates in the table:
| Total. | Chief Clerk. | Number of clerks of— | ||||
| Class 4. | Class 3. | Class 2. | Class 1. | |||
| 1872—October | 31 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 23 |
| 1872—„November | 21 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 12 |
| 1872—„December | 12 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 6 | |
| 1873—January | 7 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| 1873—„February | 7 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1873—„March | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1873—„April | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1873—„May | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1873—„June | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1873—„July | 1 | 1 | ||||
| August | 1 | 1 | ||||
| September | 1 | 1 | ||||
Sir: I transmit herewith a commission appointing you to be Superintendent of the Census.
You will observe that the word "emoluments" is erased from the commission, as at your express request the appointment is made "without compensation" for your services.
If you accept the appointment, be pleased to signify the same, take and subscribe the inclosed oath of office, and transmit it to this Department.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. Francis A. Walker, of Massachusetts.
Under this letter of appointment I at once duly qualified, and have discharged the duties of the Office during the remaining portion of the year to the best of my ability, so far as was consistent with professional duties involving a residence in a city somewhat remote from the seat of Government. The work of the Superintendent of Census does not cease abruptly with the publication of the statistical reports. The remains of office-work are by no means trifling, while the publication of the reports of itself gives rise to an extensive correspondence. Where no positive objection exists, it is of course desirable that the person who has organized and administered the service to the point of the publication of the reports should conduct this correspondence and Supervise the remaining details of administration, in order to secure the highest degree of continuity and consistency of plan and operation. It was in this view, as I understood it, that the honorable Secretary issued the appointment above recited, and it was for this reason that I cheerfully accepted the position. I shall be fully satisfied if I can believe that the public service has been in any, even the smallest, degree advantaged thereby.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. C. Delano, Secretary of the Interior.
REPORT OF THE AECHITECT OF THE CAPITOL EXTENSION.
Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report relative to the Capitol building and grounds, and other public works under my supervision.
CAPITOL EXTENSION.
Since the date of the last annual report from this office various improvements have been made. Large coal vaults, each capable of containing one thousand tons of coal, have been constructed at both wings. To get rid of the coal-gas, which was often driven into the area from which the air from the exterior was taken, an underground air-duct, opening at the foot of the lower terrace of the western grounds, has been constructed. The openings of this duet being so far from the furnace chimneys—the cause of defilement—will afford a supply of purer air at all times, and in summer a cooler air than could be obtained from the former inlet.
The steam-boilers of both wings, which were found defective from long use by the Government inspector, have been thoroughly repaired, and extensive repairs and improvements made to the heating apparatus of the entire building; many rooms and corridors repainted and otherwise fitted up. The reporters' gallery of the Senate has been enlarged; the galleries of the House of Representatives so re-arranged that the diplomatic and the members' galleries will be on the east, the ladies' gallery on the west, and the men's on the north side. New desks and chairs have been placed in same hall, so disposed as to dispense with the outer platform. As provided tor by a resolution of the House, the bathing-room of the south wing has been extended and fitted up.
CENTER BUILDING
This portion of the building has been kept in repair and likewise improved; the Senate bathing-rooms refitted with new tube pipes, and floors; the steam-heating apparatus of the Congressional Library put in good order.
The roof of this part of the building is constructed on wooden rafters, and is, in many places, so defective that n new covering of copper is demanded. In these repairs I recommend that they be made in a dreproof manner. In fact, to avoid damage from fire the whole roof should be reconstructed.
Attention is called to the unfinished condition of the rotunda, and inner portion of the dome. I recommend that its walls be encrusted with ornamental marbles; the pilasters and first cornice taken away, and the door laid with encaustic tile. By omitting the first cornice, and letting the story terminate at the line of the second cornice, which cornice should be enlarged, the wall of the rotunda will have greater apparent height, and the anomaly of three cornices—similar members—so near each other, will be abolished.
Lofty doorways, with sculptured enrichment, should be made, and the vault of the rotunda decorated with painted enrichments. While these changes will entail a large expenditure, I consider them necessary to make a complete and harmonious finish to this the principal feature of the building.
CAPITOL-GROUNDS.
Squares 687 and 688, in accordance with the act approved March 3, 1876, have been purchased.
All the buildings on square 687 have been disposed of at public sale, or the material taken away and used for public purposes. Nearly all the buildings on square 688 have been disposed of in the same manner. It is expected that the two buildings yet remaining on that square may be taken down and the materials cleared away before the meeting of Congress. The cavities on these squares have been filled, and the surfaces graded to correspond with the grade of the pavement at the north and south of each square.
First street, at the foot of the Capitol, from Pennsylvania to Maryland avenues, has been paved with cypress-wood pavement, and the curve at the south, from Maryland to New Jersey avenues, is now being paved with granite blocks. Over one hundred thousand loads of earth have been deposited on the grounds at the south of the Capitol and on South B street this season.
Not having any practice or pretensions to skill as landscape gardener, I earnestly recommend that a first-class artist in this line may be employed to plan, plant, and lay out these grounds.
Attention is called to the eastern grounds, with the hope that authority may be given to grade them, to suit the requirements of the streets surrounding them, which have been cut down to the Government grades. In the event of cutting down the Eastern Park, I feel confident, and have the opinion of experts, that most of the trees necessary to preserve can be lowered into place without great risk of loss. My opinion is that these grounds should be treated as a lawn, and none but the best trees retained. The great number of trees in them, when in foliage, effectually screen the eastern (principal) front of the building from view from Capitol Hill. There are no vistas through which it can be seen entirely, nor is there any point of view from which this front can be seen to advantage, on account of the disposition of the trees in this park. Trees may be planted at the north and south of the wings, as they are now at the western grounds, where they are required to screen the rustic terraces, as well as for shade; but, in my judgment, the grandeur and extent of the main front will be revealed by takingout a large number of trees in the eastern grounds.
The plateau at the eastern front should be paved, and the side-walks around the grounds flagged next season. The funds on hand not being sufficient to pay the expense of a proper flag-pavement around these grounds, a narrow foot-walk of bricks has been laid for the season.
PNEUMATIC TUBE.
The attempt to lay the pneumatic tube from the Capitol to the Printing-Office building has been unsuccessful, owing in part to the unexpected difficulties met in getting the tube under the track of the Washington and Baltimore Railroad. To accomplish this the trench had to be sunk in some places fifteen feet, thus loading the tube with so great a weight of earth, that it was so forced out of shape that the sphere would not pass through. Mr. Brisbane expected, when he undertook this work, that North Capitol street, along which the tube was to be laid, would be filled and graded, so that the tube would be placed about three feet below the surface. If this could have been done, I have no reason to believe that the tube would not have worked successfully. Mr. Brisbane is now anxious to renew this work, at his own expense; but as he will have the same difficulties to overcome, I have.doubts of his success, unless the tube is made much smaller than stipulated for in his contract. I am so convinced of the practicability of this mode of transportation, that I recommend, for the sake of durability, that the tube be made of iron.
REFORM SCHOOL.
The buildings at the Reform School are near completion. The main building is so far advanced as to be partly used by the boys as workshops. It is expected that it will be entirely finished, ready for occupancy, by the meeting of Congress. The family building has been occupied ever since the middle of last winter.
BOTANICAL GARDEN.
At the request of the Joint Committee on the Library, various imProvements have been made, under my supervision, at the Botanical garden.
The fence on Third street, from Pennsylvania to Maryland avenues, has, been raised to suit the new grade of the street, and a brick fence constructed on First street, between the same avenues. Gateways have been erected at the principal entrance on both these streets. The conservatory has been extended and finished, by the erection of the octagon at the eastern end. Forcing-houses, work and packing shops, have been erected on the square bounded by Maryland avenue, B, Second, and Third streets, in order to extend the working capacity of the garden.
CITY-HALL.
At the request of the Attorney-General I have superintended the improvements recently made at the City Hall. The western court-room has been improved by the introduction of another furnace for heating, and the ceiling of the same room has been pierced to obtain ventilation. The exterior has been repainted and the roof thoroughly repaired; several ceilings in the upper story, which were damaged by the leaks in the roof, have been plastered. Both court-rooms, the judges' and the jury rooms have been put in good condition.
As this building is now wholly the property of the Government, and as additional room is required for the courts and record-offices, I recommend that this building be extended to suit the wants of the public business.
COLUMBIA HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN.
The improvements authorized by Congress have been made, and the entire building is now ready for occupancy, Steam-heating apparatus has been put in. and boiler and fuel-vaults constructed this season. To give this buildings respectable appearance the grounds should be graded in some places, and the street-fronts terraced and fenced.
CAPITOL EXTENSION.
| Amount expended from June 30, 1572, to June 30, 1973. | |
| Amount paid on rolls of mechanics, laborers, salaries, &c. | $43, 447 86 |
| Amount paid for paint and painting | 4, 611 21 |
| Amount paid for miscellaneous bills, such as lime, sand, cement, lumber, &c. | 9,716 45 |
| Amount paid for flagging and setting | 2,200 00 |
| Amount paid for iron an brass work | 521 71 |
| Amount paid for marble | 135 19 |
| Amount paid for hardware | 1,891 95 |
| Amount paid for gas-fitting and fixtures. | 109 65 |
| Amount paid for tiling | 422 70 |
| Amount paid for stone-work | 149 00 |
| Amount paid for forage for horses | 450 26 |
| Amount paid for material for heating and ventilsting | 7, 526 05 |
| Amount paid for boiler and water-tank | 8, 330 00 |
| Amount paid for fire-proof felting | 742 50 |
| Total | 80,260 53 |
| Cash account. | |
| Amount available July 1, 1872 | $7,000 00 |
| Amount appropriated June 10, 1872 | 50,000 00 |
| Amount appropriated March 3, 1573 | 91,000 00 |
| Total | 148. 000 00 |
| Amount expended from July 1, 1872, to July 1, 1673 | 80,260 63 |
| Leaving on the lst of July, 1873, an unexpended balance of | 67,739 47 |
| Amount paid on rolls for labor | $17,082 02 |
| Amount paid or earth for filling | 8,154 28 |
| Amount paid granite curb, (straight) | 7,943 42 |
| Amount paid ggranite curb, (circular) | 1,538 90 |
| Amount paid saying and jainting Hugging | 266 53 |
| Amount paid laying brick pavement | 270 00 |
| Amount paid asphalt pavement | 9,506 48 |
| Amount paid Belgian pavement | 8,955 73 |
| Amount paid lumber | 624 93 |
| Amount paid stone and stone-work. | 648 81 |
| Amount paid miscellaneous bills, such as lime, sand, coment bricks, &c., &c. | 6,607 55 |
| Cash account | |
| Amount appropriated June 10, 1872 | $35,000 00 |
| Amount appropriated March 3, 1873 | 125,000 |
| Total | 160,000 00 |
| Amount expended from July 1, 1872, to July 1, 1873 | 61,598 65 |
| Leaving on the lst of July, 1873, an unexpended balance of | 98,401 35 |
| ELEVATOR IN SENATE WING OF THE CAPITOL. | |
| Amount of L. Atwood's contract for machinery and car | $6,000 00 |
| Amount paid on rolls of mechanics. laborers, &c. | 1,660 50 |
| Amount paid for marble | 417 31 |
| Amount paid for eugineer’s expenses for traveling | 174 40 |
| 8,252 21 | |
| Cash account. | |
| Amount approriated March 21, 1873 | ar|wnw}}|$10,000 00 |
| Amount expended from March 3, 1873, to June 30, 1873 | 8,252 21 |
| Leaving on the 30th June, 1673, an unexpended balance of | 1,747 79 |
| ALTERING AND REFITTING HALL OF REPRESENTATIVES. | |
| Amount paid for steam-trap | $300 00 |
| Amount paid for model desks and chairs | 323 60 |
| 323 60 | |
| Cash account | |
| Amount appropriated March 3, 1873 | $40,000 00 |
| Amount expended from March 3, 18715, to June 30, 1873 | 623 60 |
| Leaving on June 30, 1873, an unexpended balance of. | 39,376 40 |
| CONSTRUCTING PNEUMATIC TUBE | |
| Amount paid to Albert Brisbane on account of contract | $12,000 00 |
| Cash account. | |
| Amount appropriated June 10, 1872 | $15,000 00 |
| Amount expanded from June 30, 1872, to June 30, 1873 | 12,000 00 |
| Leaving on June 30, 1873, an unexpended balance of. | 3,000 00 |
Respectfully submitted.
Hon. Columbu Delano
Secretary of the Interior. REPORT OF THE COLUMBIA INSTITUTION FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB.
Sir: In compliance with the acts of Congress making provision for the support of this institution, we have the honor to report its progress during the year ending June 30, 1873.
NUMBER OF PUPILS.
| The pupils remaining in the institution on the 1st day of July, 1872, numbered | 74 |
| Admitted during the year | 17 |
| Since admitted | 17 |
| 0000 | |
| Total | 108 |
Under instruction since July 1,1872,males, 92; females,16. Of these 60 have been in the collegiate department, representing seventeen States and the District of Columbia, and 48 in the primary department. A list of-the names and residences of the pupils will be found appended to this report.
HEALTH OF THE INSTITUTION.
We are permitted to record a year of exemption from death, and also from any prevailing or even serious illness among our pupils and students. The few slight indispositions that have occurred yielded readily to the judicious treatment of our attending physician and the skillful nursing of the matrons.
CHANGES OF OFFICERS.
Professor James M. Spencer, who has for six years occupied the chair of mathematics in the college faculty, has resigned his position. It gives occasion for sincere regret to all the friends of the college that so valuable and successful an instructor should retire from his position, and Professor Spencer carries with him the best wishes of his associates and students for his success in whatever line of effort he may direct his energies.
Mr. Joseph C. Gordon, M. A., for three years a successful instructor in the Indiana Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, has been appointed to the professorship of mathematics and chemistry, entering upon the performance of his duties at the beginning of the current academic year.
RETURN OF THE PRESIDENT FROM EUROPE.
At the end of the period of absence granted him by the board of directors, President Gallaudet resumed his duties with health apparently fully restored by the rest and freedom from care secured in his temporary residence abroad.
While in Europe he visited a number of institutions for the deaf and dumb, but met with nothing which he deems worthy to be reported to the board. No facts came to his notice which served to change the conclusions set forth in his "Report on the Systems of Deaf-Mute Instruction pursued in Europe," presented to the board in October, 1867.
While he would by no means claim that the system in general use throughout the United States is free from defects in its practical workings, he is convinced that the principles on which it rests are sound, and that greater benefits can be secured to the mass of deaf-mutes through its agency than by any system which undertakes to make articulation its basis, assuming to teach all deaf-mutes to speak, and discarding the language of signs.
During the absence of the president the general direction of the institution was committed to Professor Fay; and the recitations coming under the charge of the president, in his capacity as professor of moral and political science, were conducted by Professor Porter. Both these gentlemen discharged the duties thus devolved upon them to the entire satisfaction of the board. And in this connection commendatory mention should be made of the faithfulness and efficiency of the entire corps of officers, all of whom, during the absence of the president, were ever ready to sustain acting President Fay, and to do whatever lay in their power to advance the interests of the institution and maintain good order in its several departments.
THE COURSE OF STUDY.
The courses of study pursued in the several departments have remained essentially the same as in previous years. The following schedules will show the branches taught and the textbooks used in the respective classes:
IN THE PRIMARY DEPARTMENT.
During the first and second years of instruction: Elementary Lessons for the Deaf and Dumb, by Harvey Prindle Peet, LL. D. First Lessons for the Deaf and Dumb, by John R. Keep, M. A.; the School Reader, part first, by Charles W. Sanders, M. A.
During the third and fourth years: Lessons for Children, by Mrs. Barbauld; Reading without Tears, part second, by Mrs. Mortimer; Felter's Primary Arithmetic; Primary Geography, by Fordyce A. Allen, M. A.
During the fifth and sixth years: Primary History of the United States, by G. P. Quackenbos, A. M.; Common School History of the World, by S. G. Goodrich; First Lessons in English Grammar, by Simon Kerl, M. A.; New Intermediate Geography, by S. Augustus Mitchell; Felter's Intermediate Arithmetic.
Instruction is given through the whole course in the structure of the English sentence, and in penmanship according to the Spencerian system.
IN THE COLLEGIATE DEPARTMENT.
Studies of the preparatory class.
Mathematics.—Eaton's Grammar School Arithmetic; Loomis's Treatise on Algebra, (through quadratic equations.)
Physical Geography.—Guyot's Physical Geography.
History.—Lossing's Common School History of the United States.
Natural Philosophy.—Peck's Ganot's Natural Philosophy.
English.—Kerl's Common School Grammar; Berad's History of England; original compositions.
Latin.—Allen's Latin Grammar; Allen's Latin Lessons; Caesars Commentaries.
Studies of the freshman class.
Mathematics.—Loomis's Treatise on Algebra; Looinis's Geometry.
English.—Kerl's Common School Grammar, (reviewed;) Berard's History of England; original compositions.
Latin.—Sallust; Cicero's Orations; Allen's Latin Grammar.
[4] Greek.—Boise's First Lessons in Greek; Hadley's Greek Grammar; Xenophon's Anabasis.
Studies of the sophomore class.
Mathematics.—Loomis's Conic Sections; Loomis's Plane and Spherical Trigonometry and Surveying.
Botany.—Gray's School and Field Book of Botany.
Chemistry.—Cooley's Chemistry, with lectures.
Latin.—Virgil's Æneid; Odes of Horace.
[4] Greek.—Homer's Iliad.
History.—Thalheimer's Manual of Ancient History; White's Eighteen Christian Centuries.
English.—Trench's English Past and Present; original compositions
Studies of the junior class.
Mathematics.—Snell's Olmstead's Natural Philosophy; Loomis's Treatise on Astronomy.
Chemistry.—Laboratory Practice, with lectures.
Mineralogy.—Dana's Manual of Mineralogy.
Geology.—Dana's Text-book of Geology.
French.—Prendergast's Mastery Method; Otto's French Grammar; Souvestre's Philosophe sous les Toits; Erckuiann-Chatrian's Eomans Nationaux; Racine's Athalie.
[4] Greek.—Demosthenes on the Crown.
History.—Guizot's History of Civilization.
English.—Bain's Ehetoric; original compositions.
Studies of the senior class.
Geology.—Dana's Text-book of Geology.
Physiology.—Hitchcock's Anatomy and Physiology.
German.—Prendergast's Mastery Method; Whitney's German Grammar; Whitney's German Header; Fouqué's Undine; Lessing's Minna vonBarnhelm; Schiller's Wilhelm Tell.
Mental philosophy and logic.—Porter's Elements of Intellectual Science; Jevons's Logic.
English.—Shaw's Manual of English Literature; original compositions.
Moral philosophy and evidences of Christianity.—Haven's Moral Philosophy; Butler's Analogy.
Political philosophy.—Perry's Political Economy; Woolsey's International Law.
Æsthetics.—Baseom's Elements of Beauty.
Instruction in book-keeping and in drawing and painting is given to those who desire it.
Instruction in articulation is given to those who desire it, and are found to possess such natural aptness for correct vocalization as seems to justify the great expenditure of time and labor essential to any satisfactory progress.
ENLARGEMENT OF THE LIBRARY.
During the past year the library of the institution has been enlarged by the addition of 317 volumes, making the total number of volumes 1021. The nearness of the great libraries of the Government makes it unnecessary for us to emulate other colleges in the increase of our library. Our aim is, therefore, to choose our books, with the view of having at hand only such as are likely to be often needed by our students and officers.
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES.
The commencement exercises, on the ninth anniversary of the college, were held on Wednesday, June 25, in the hall of the institution.
The address to the graduating class was delivered by the Hon. John Eaton, jr., Commissioner of Education. After speaking of the great advance which had taken place in public sentiment with reference to the deaf and dumb, resulting in the establishment of a college for their benefit, the Commissioner addressed a few earnest words to the graduates, reminding them of the responsibility resting upon them, not only as educated men, but as representatives of the only college for deafmutes in the world. *******
EXPENDITURES.
1. Support of the institution.
The receipts and disbursements for the year now under review will appear from the following detailed statements:
| Receipts. | |
| Received from Treasury of the United States | $48 000 00 |
| Received from board and tuition | 1,774 42 |
| Received from work done in shop | 756 23 |
| Received from students for books and stationery | 341 05 |
| Received from sale of live stock | 166 00 |
| Received from board of two horses | 113 00 |
| Received from sale of insurance scrip | 40 00 |
| Received from rent | 15 00 |
| Received from damage to grounds by cattle | 11 95 |
| Received from sale of wood | 10 00 |
| Received from sale of old wagon-truck | 8 00 |
| Received from sale of old fencing | 4 00 |
| Received from sale of old bureau | 5 00 |
| Received from sale of old stove | 3 00 |
| Received from sale of fodder | 3 00 |
| Total | 51,240 65 |
| Disbursements. | |
| Expended for salaries and wages | $23,485 75 |
| Expended for meats | 4,394 66 |
| Expended for groceries | 3,944 93 |
| Expended for fuel | 3,450 00 |
| Expended for butter | 1,969 80 |
| Expended for household expenses, including vegetables | 2,064 62 |
| Expended for bread | 1,452 35 |
| Expended for hardware, including materials for repairs on buildings | 1,215 20 |
| Expended for books and stationery | 1,187 70 |
| Expended for dry goods and clothing | 908 37 |
| Expended for lumber | 928 58 |
| Expended for gas | 921 40 |
| Expended for blacksmithing and general repairs | 891 59 |
| Expended for furniture | 718 42 |
| Expended for paints and glass | 540 77 |
| Expended for medicines and chemicals | 344 98 |
| Expended for medical services | 340 00 |
| Expended for harness and 1 carriage | $394 87 |
| Expended for seeds and implements | 261 94 |
| Expended for printing and engraving | 181 09 |
| Expended for 1 iron safe | 175 00 |
| Expanded for 1 mare | 150 00 |
| Expended for awnings | 128 00 |
| Expended for stone | 152 14 |
| Expended for cow and calf | 80 00 |
| Expended for carriage-hire | 14 00 |
| To balance | 821 39 |
| To Balance | 51,240,65 |
II. Improvement of grounds.
| Receipts. | |
| Balance from old account | $384 60 |
| Received from Treasury of the United States | 6,000 00 |
| Total | 6,384 60 |
| Disbursements. | |
| Paid for grading | $1,970 85 |
| Paid for lumber | 772 67 |
| Paid for labor | 1,265 73 |
| Paid for drain-pipe | 271 88 |
| Paid for 1 wagon | 149 00 |
| Paid for paving | 133 75 |
| Paid for 1 mowing-machine | 170 00 |
| Paid for freight | 24 53 |
| Balance due the United States from disbursing agent | 1,626 19 |
| Total | 6,384 60 |
PURCHASE OF KENDALL GREEN.
The following statement of receipts and disbursements on account of the purchase of Kendall Green dates back to April 2, 1870, the time at which the institution gained control of the property, and includes all expenses and payments on account of said purchase:
| RECEIPTS | |
| Received for rent of houses | $749,71 |
| Received for fruit sold | 146 48 |
| Received from manual-labor fund | 865 05 |
| Received by transfer from general-expense account | 4,134 25 |
| [5]Received from private subscriptions. | 9,875 00 |
| Received from the United States, July 1, 1872. | 70,000 00 |
| Total | 85,770 49 |
| DISBURSEMENTS. | |
| Expended for record of deeds, stamps, &c. | $178,75 |
| Expended for payment due July 1, 1870 | 5,000 00 |
| Expended for interest due July 1, 1870 | 1,275 00 |
| Expended for interest due January 1, l87l | 2,400 00 |
| Expended for interest due July l, l871 | 2,400 00 |
| Expended for payment due July 1, 1871 | 10,000 00 |
| Expended for interest due January 1. 1872 | 2,100 00 |
| Expended for interest due July 1 1872 | 2,100 00 |
| Expended for balance of purchase-money remaining unpaid July1,1872 | 70,000 00 |
| Expended for labor | 251 00 |
| Expended for sundry items of interest | 174 19 |
| Paid in collecting private subscriptions | 589 01 |
| Total | 96,46795 |
By borrowing a portion of the annual appropriation for the support of the institution, the board have been able to avoid the necessity of paying interest on this balance of indebtedness, except for a few days at the end of the decal year. This is, however, an arrangement which ought not to continue indefinitely. The board had hoped to be able to raise by private subscription an amount sufficient to liquidate this small debt; but the fact that the title to all the real estate of the institution has been vested in the United States is likely to stand in the way of the realization of this expectation; for private parties object, when called upon, that they should not be asked to aid what has practically become a Government institution.
We have submitted no estimate to provide for this balance, but we venture to direct the attention of Congress to the fact of the indebtedness, and to ask if it would not be proper that an appropriation should be made.
The importance of securing, at the low price paid, so valuable an estate as Kendall Green can hardly be overestimated, and we are sure that no one who considers the present and prospective value of the property will fail to perceive the great advantages likely to grow out of its acquisition by the Government.
ESTIMATES FOR NEXT YEAR.
The following estimates of appropriations required for the service of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875, have already been submitted:
For the support of the institution, including salaries and incidental expenses, and $500 for books and illustrative apparatus, $49,500.
For continuing the work on the erection, furnishing and iitting up of the buildings of the institution, in accordance with plans heretofore submitted to Congress, including necessary repairs ou the completed sections of the buildings, $54,000.
The estimate for building purposes is greatly needed, to enable us to proceed with the work of completing the college-building, and to provide for the erection of two professors' houses.
The college-building has stood in an incomplete condition for nearly seven years. Until within the last two years the completed portion sufficed for the accommodation of our collegiate department.
It is now, however, much crowded, and no possibility exists of conveniently accommodating more students, while we have reason to expect increased numbers of applications for admission during several years to come.
Only two rooms in the college-building can be used for recitations, and we are compelled to conduct our class-room exercises in corners of the chapel-hall and in other places temporarily arranged in the central building, allot which are inconvenient and ill adapted for the purposes to which we are compelled to devote them.
The rooms available for students dormitories ought not to be made to contain more than twenty-five students, while the number at present occupying them is forty-seven.
The interests of the institution make it very desirable that its officers and employes should reside on the premises. The plans submitted to Congress in our ninth report, that for the year 1866–'67, showed our need of erecting, ultimately, six dwelling-houses for the officers of the institution.
Of this number only two have thus far been built. Two more are required at the present time for the accommodation of instructors who have young and growing families, and who are compelled to submit to arrangements involving considerable inconvenience both to them and to the institution.
All of which is respectfully submitted by order of the board of direct-
Hon. Columbus Delano
Secretary of the Interior.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS OF THE GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE.
Sir: In behalf of the Board of Visitors the undersigned have the honor to submit the eighteenth annual report of the" condition and wants of the institution."
The number of patients remaining under treatment on the 30th day of June, 1872, was—
| From the Army, white males | 151 | ||
| From „the „Army,„ colored males„ | 6 | ||
| From „the „Army,„ white males„ (discharged) | 126 | ||
| From „the „Army,„ colored males„ | 1 | ||
| From „the „Army,„ white males„ (civilians) | 3 | ||
| From „the „Army,„ colored males„ civillians„ | 1 | ||
| From „the „Army,„ white females civillians„ | 31 | ||
| 000 | 292 | ||
| From the Navy, white males | 31 | ||
| From„ The„ Navy„ colored males„ | 1 | ||
| From„ The„ Navy„ white males„ (discharged) | 3 | ||
| From„ The„ Navy„ colored males„ (discharged)„ | 1 | ||
| 000 | 36 | ||
| 000 | 328 | ||
| From civil life, white males | 82 | ||
| From„ civil„ life,„ white„ females | 110 | ||
| — | 192 | ||
| From„ civil„ life,„ colored males | 15 | ||
| From„ civil„ life,„ colored„ females | 26 | ||
| 000 | 41 | ||
| 000 | 233 | ||
| 000 | |||
| Males. 422; females, 139; total | 561 |
The number of patients admitted during the year ending June 30, 1873, was—
| From the Army, white males | 40 | ||
| From „the „Army,„ white males„ (discharged) | 35 | ||
| 000 | 75 | ||
| From the Navy, white males | 9 | ||
| From „the „Navy, „white „males„ (discharged) | 1 | ||
| 000 | 10 | ||
| 000 | 85 | ||
| From civil life, white males | 58 | ||
| From „civil „life, „white „females | 37 | ||
| 000 | 95 | ||
| From civil life, colored males | 8 | ||
| From „civil „life, „colored „females | 13 | ||
| 000 | 21 | ||
| 000 | 116 | ||
| 000 | |||
| Males. 151; females,50;- total | 201 |
Seven patients were admitted a second time in the course of the year. There were, therefore, seven less persons than cases under treatment.
The whole number of patients under treatment in the course of the year 1872-'73, was—
| From the Army, white males | 191 | ||
| From„ the„ Army„ colored males„ | 6 | ||
| From„ the„ Army„ white males„ (discharged) | 161 | ||
| From„ the„ Army„ colored males„ discharged„ | 2 | ||
| From„ the„ Army„ white males„ (civilians) | 3 | ||
| From„ the„ Army„ colored males„ civilians„ | 1 | ||
| From„ the„ Army„ white females | 3 | ||
| 000 | 367 | ||
| From the Navy, white males | 40 | ||
| From„ the„ Navy„ colored males„ | 1 | ||
| From„ the„ Navy„ white males„ (discharged) | 4 | ||
| From„ the„ Army„ colored males„ (discharged„ | 1 | ||
| 000 | 46 | ||
| 000 | 413 | ||
| From civil life, white males | 140 | ||
| From„ civil„ life,„ white„ females | 147 | ||
| 000 | 287 | ||
| From„ civil„ life,„ colored males | 23 | ||
| From„ civil„ life,„ colored„ females | 39 | ||
| 000 | 62 | ||
| 000 | 349 | ||
| 000 | |||
| Males, 573; females, 159; total | 762 |
The number of patients discharged in the course of the year, was-
| Recovered, from the Army, white males | 1 | |||
| Recovered,„ from„ the„ Army,„ colored males„ | 1 | |||
| Recovered,„ from„ the„ Army„ white males„ (discharged) | 4 | |||
| 000 | 16 | |||
| Recovered,„ from„ the„ Navy, white male | 1 | |||
| 000 | 17 | |||
| Recovered,„ from„ civil life, white males | 31 | |||
| Recovered,„ from„ civil„ life,„ white„ females | 10 | |||
| 000 | 41 | |||
| Recovered,„ from„ the„ Navy,„ colored males | 3 | |||
| Recovered,„ from„ the„ Navy,„ females | 5 | |||
| 000 | 8 | |||
| 000 | 49 | |||
| 000 | 66 | |||
| Improved, from the Army, white males, (discharged). | 3 | |||
| Improved,„ from„ the„ Navy, white males | 4 | |||
| Improved,„ from„ the„ Navy„ colored males„ | 1 | |||
| 000 | 5 | |||
| 000 | 8 | |||
| Improved,„ from„ civil life, white males. | 10 | |||
| Improved,„ from„ civil„ life,„ white„ females | 5 | |||
| 000 | 15 | |||
| Improved,„ from„ civil„ life,„ colored male | 1 | |||
| 000 | 16 | |||
| 000 | 24 | |||
| Unimproved, from the Army, white male, (discharged). | 1 | |||
| Unimproved,„ from„ civil life, white males | 2 | |||
| Unimproved,„ from„ civil„ life,„ white„ females | 4 | |||
| 000 | 6 | |||
| 000 | 7 | |||
| Males, 73; females,24; total... | 97 |
The number of patients who died in the course of the year, was
| From the Army, white males | 7 | ||
| From„ the„ Army,„ colored males„ | 1 | ||
| From„ the„ Army,„ white males„ (discharged) | 1 | ||
| 000 | 19 | ||
| From„ the„ Navy, white males | 2 | ||
| 000 | 21 | ||
| From„ civil life, white males | 8 | ||
| From„ civil„ life,„ white„ females | 12 | ||
| 000 | 20 | ||
| From„ civil„ life,„ colored males | 3 | ||
| From„ civil„ life,„ colored„ females | 1 | ||
| 000 | 4 | ||
| 000 | 24 | ||
| 000 | |||
| Males, 32; females, 13; total | 45 |
The number of patients remaining under treatment on the 30th day of June, 1873, was
| From the Army, white males. | 173 | ||
| From„ the„ Army„ colored males„ | 4 | ||
| From„ the„ Army„ white males„ (discharged) | 142 | ||
| From„ the„ Army„ colored males„ | 2 | ||
| From„ the„ Army„ white males„ (civilians) | 3 | ||
| From„ the„ Army„ colored males„ (civilians)„ | 1 | ||
| From„ the„ Army„ white females (civilians)„ | 3 | ||
| 000 | 328 | ||
| From the Navy, white males | 33 | ||
| From„ the„ Navy,„ white„ males„ (discharged) | 4 | ||
| From„ the„ Navy,„ white„ males„ colored males„ (discharged)„ | 1 | ||
| 000 | 38 | ||
| 000 | 366 | ||
| From civil life, white males | 89 | ||
| From„ civil„ life,„ white„ females | 116 | ||
| 000 | 205 | ||
| From„ civil„ life,„ colored males | 16 | ||
| From„ civil„ life,„ colored„ females | 33 | ||
| 000 | 49 | ||
| 000 | 254 | ||
| 000 | |||
| Males, 468; females, 152; total | 620 |
The use of the word "discharged" in the preceding tables designates persons formerly in the military or naval service of the country, and admitted by authority of the act of July 13, 1866; and those designated as "civilian" are civil employes of the Army admitted by order of the Secretary of War, under authority of the same act. *******
The recoveries this year were 68+ per cent. of the discharges, 46+ per cent. of the discharges and deaths together, 33- per cent. of the admissions, and 9- per cent. of the whole number of patients under treatment. The ratio of recoveries to discharges was somewhat higher,and that of the deaths to the whole number under treatment slightly lower than the average of several preceding years, and both are more favorable, perhaps, than they are likely to be in the years that are to come. As, under the original organic act and that of July 13, 1866, all cases of mental disease, of whatever duration or complication, that arise, or have arisen, in the Army and Navy, and in the District of Columbia, may be, as the most of them, in fact, are, sent to this institution, in which, when once legally within its walls, the chronic cases find a home for the remainder of their lives; and as the reception of all cases of insanity, recent and chronic, entitled to treatment in this hospital, and the continued residence of chronics, have now taken place for such n. length of time that the average proportion of recent and chronic cases has found its normal adjustment, and the number of recent and presumptively curable cases with which one year is begun is only equal to that which goes over to the next, it becomes a fact of very great economic and social interest and importance that the ratios of recoveries and deaths to the numbers and movements of the household of this establishment during the past year, present an approximate expression of the average curability and mortality of all the insanity, if under treatment in hospitals, that exists in our different American communities.
Near the close of the wide prevalence of smallpox in the District last autumn and winter, four cases of variolous disease occurred in the hospital. The disease was introduced into the institution by an attendant, who spent the 9th of February in Washington, and was seized with the premonitory symptoms on the 23rd. The other three cases were patients in the same ward with the attendant, who were seized on the third, fifth, and seventh days after his attack, and it is probable that he brought with him from town some infected piece of clothing or pocket article that communicated the disease to the patients before his own case had reached an infectious stage. All of the patients, officers, and employes of the institution were vaccinated between the 1st and 3d of January, and by the immediate repetition of the vaccination and the strictest isolation of the cases as they occurred, the further spread of the disease was happily prevented. Two of the cases proved to be variola in the continent form, and two the modified disease. One of the former died and the other three recovered. It is quite remarkable that in the large population of the hospital, which is constantly receiving accessions from all parts of the country, these are the only cases of variolous disease that have occurred in the institution since the close of the late war. A part of the vaccinations were made with virus direct from the cow, and a. part with humanized matter, but the results throw but little light upon the relative potency of the two kinds of virus. They are thought to be of sufficient interest, however, to justify their presentation here in a tabular form.
| Number that appeared to have had variola ,or variold | Number that showed vaccine scars | Number that did not appear to be vaccinated with effect | Whole number of patients, officers, and employee vaccinated. | |
| 35 | 627 | 97 | 724 | |
| Number of vaccinations that ran a regular course and yielded characteristic crusts | 4 | 110 | 36 | 150 |
| Number that produced only irrative local inflamation | 10 | 301 | 24 | 335 |
| Number that was wholly ineffective | 21 | 197 | 21 | 239 |
| Whole number of patients, officers and employes vaccinated | 35 | 608 | 81 | 724 |
No suicide has occurred in the course of the year, and the gene health of the patients has been excellent.
Chapel services were suspended during the summer months of 1872, while the general-assembly room was undergoing thorough repairs, including re-frescoing and the addition of about 50 per cent. to the original number of seats, hut were maintained as usual during the remainder of the year. The exhibition of photographs by the camera and hydro-oygen light, musical soirees, and dramatic and literary entertainments, have also been continued with much spirit, and contributed largely to the happiness and improvement of a household whose retirement from the ordinary associations of men is essential to its safety and welfare; and in the year under review, as in all the previous years of the history of this great institution of beneficence and charity, a diligent, earnest, and, in view of the many inherent difficulties of the work and the imperfections that attend the best of human endeavors, we think we may say successful, effort has been made by its officers to fulfill in the entirety of their spirit and letter the noble objects of its creation and maintenance, which Congress nearly two decades of years ago declared to be "the most humane care and enlightened curative treatment of the insane of the Army and Navy of the United States and of the District of Columbia."
Soon after the preparation of the last report, the hospital came into possession of the tract of 29 acres, 1 rood and 2410 perches of agricultural land, tor the purchase of which Congress had made the requisite appropriation, and more recently the United States has received the gratuitous deed of one-third of an acre of land lying adjacent to the northern boundary of the enclosed grounds, and embracing a deep, narrow ravine, the control of which by the hospital authorities will enable them to prevent the undermining of the boundary wall at that point.,There are now owned by the United States and devoted to the objects of the hospital a little upwards of 419 acres of land, about 360 of which form one nearly complete parallelogram. The remainder is a separate tract, conveniently situated for grazing or the cultivation of the staple annual crops. The original purchase of about 185 acres, within which the hospital edifices are situated, is enclosed by a brick and stone wall 9 feet high above ground, except on the river-front, where the wall is designed to be a "sea" or "retaining" wall, which does not obstruct the view of the external scenery. One-half of the river-Wall has been built.
With the additions that have been made to the original purchase of land for its use, the hospital is most fortunate in its site. Perhaps it is not practicable, under any circumstances, to attain to a higher degree than has so happily been done here, the desideratum to the insane of liberty and privacy—of opportunity for unconstrained as well as agreeable and healthful exercises in the open air, without the many serious evils of exposure to the curious public; and the extent of the agricultural lands and their variety of soil and exposure afford the most available means for the economic employment of the chronic cases, and for producing in abundance and at moderate cost the fresh fruits and vegetables, and pure milk that are so essential to the health and comfort of all classes of the insane.
As the institution now has the use of all the land it needs, both for the special purposes of a hospital,of this character and for agricultural purposes, and is not likely to receive any further acquisition of territory, the accompanying contour-line map of the entire grounds has been prepared from critical and elaborate surveys made in the course of the past summer.
The expenditures and receipts in the year, were:
| EXPENDITURES | |
| Expended for flour, meal, and crackers | $11,452 69 |
| Expended„ butter and cheese | 7,900 86 |
| Expended„ meats, including hams | 16,766 51 |
| Expended„ poultry and eggs | 718 85 |
| Expended„ fish | 2,044 58 |
| Expended„ groceries and ice | 14,173 56 |
| Expended„ potatoes and vegetables | 2,066 61 |
| Expended„ feed for stock | 3,558 04 |
| Expended„ agricultural implements, seeds, and fertilizers; also fruit-trees,vines, and shrubs | 1,596 49 |
| Expended„ stock | 1,596 93 |
| Expended„ repairs and improvements on buildings, cooking, heating, and lighting apparatus, water-supply, farm and garden lands and roads | 9,292 87 |
| Expended„ repairs to carriage, harness, &c. | 887 95 |
| Expended„ furniture, glass, china,"and hardware | 4,967 57 |
| Expended„ boots, shoes, findings, &c. | 1,552 03 |
| Expended„ bedding | 1,994 90 |
| Expended„ dry goods | 3,744 48 |
| Expended„ books, stationery, and printing | 512,53 |
| Expended„ fuel and lights | 7,867 16 |
| Expended„ money refunded to private patients | 475 29 |
| Expended„ return of eloped patients | 35 00 |
| Expended„ postage | 120 88 |
| Expended„ salaries and wages | 41,658 14 |
| Expended„ medicines, surgical instruments, and liquors | 1,607 61 |
| Expended„ recreations and amusements | 313 25 |
| Expended„ miscellaneous supplies | 87 65 |
| Total | 136,992 43 |
| RECEIPTS. | |
| From the Treasurer of the United States | 125,000 00 |
| From„ private patients, for board | 9,744 86 |
| From„ pigs, hides, rags, &c, sold | 2,247 57 |
| Total | 136,992 43 |
The rate paid for the board of private patients has ranged from $4 to $12 per week, according to the means of individuals and the accommodations required. The average rate paid has not varied materially from that of several recent years, and, so far from contributing anything to the support of the dependent classes, it has been barely sufficient to comply with that clause of the organic act which requires that independent or pay patients shall not be received at " less than the actual cost of their support." The low average rate received for the board and treatment of the private patients admitted to this hospital, is doubtless due in part to the fact that there are but few people of large wealth in the national district from which most patients of this class come, but. there is as little doubt that it is also due in part to a general indisposition among all citizens in all parts of the republic, to pay a Government institution a profit upon any service it renders them. It is the same common sentiment that prevents the hospital from realizing all the income to which it is entitled by that provision of law which requires those patients admitted by order of the Hon. Secretary of the Interior to pay such a portion of the expenses of their board and treatment as they are able.
In addition to the disbursements for the support of the hospital, an appropriation of $37,800 was expended in the erection of an extension of the wards for the excited classes of patients, and $6,000 for heating boilers. The appropriation for the purchase of land was disbursed by the Department.
The new wards are at least as cheerful and pleasant as any others of the establishment, and great pains has been taken to adapt their construction, furniture and nttings to the care and comfort of the excited classes of patients.
The several sums asked in the last report were appropriated in full, except that, in consequence of a misunderstanding, it is believed, a reduction of $5,500 was made in the grant for the support of the house after the bill containing the amount of the original estimate had passed the House of Representatives.
The estimates already submitted for the year ending June 30, 1875, are as follows:
1. For the support, clothing, and medical and moral treatment of the insane of the Army and Navy and Revenue-Cutter Service, and of all persons who have become insane since their entry into the military or naval service of the United States, and who are in indigent circumstances, and of the indigent insane of the District of Columbia, in the Government Hospital for the Insane, $140,785.
At the close of the year ending June 30,1873, there were under treatment in the hospital 621 patients, 41 of whom paid, on an average, the cost of their support, leaving 580 who were supported wholly by the Government. Under the acts of Congress providing for the care and treatment in this institution of several classes of insane persons at the expense of the Government, more patients were sent to it in July and August of the current year than the average monthly admissions in last year, and it is estimated that the average number of such patients that it will be necessary to provide for under existing laws in the year 1874-75, will be not less than 600. Experience shows that the expenditure of 84.50 per week for the entire maintenance, including clothing and medical and moral treatment of each patient, with a careful economy in purchasing and disbursing supplies, in the management of the farm and garden, and in the staff of assistants and employee, is barely sufficient to afford all the comforts and advantages of treatment to which the insane supported by the Government are entitled, and that the rate cannot be properly lessened. At that rate the maintenance of an average of 600 patients during the year in question, will cost the amounts asked for that purpose.
2. To supply the deficiency in the amount ($125,000) appropriated to support the hospital during the current year, (1873-'74,) $11,366.
The estimates for the current year were based upon the supposition that there would he an average of 555 patients to be supported by the Government, under the requirements of existing laws, at an estimated cost of $130,500, but only $125,000 were appropriated for this object, as before stated in this report; and instead of an average of 555 nonpaying patients, there were 580 at the beginning off this year, or 25 more than were estimated for; and there is the strongest probability that the average number of this class of patients through the year will be larger than at its beginning. The deficiency in the appropriation is $5,500, and the cost of maintaining 25 additional patients will be $5,866, and the sum of those amounts is the amount of this estimate.
3. For repairs and improvements, $15,000. Additions to the original plan of the hospital and the increase in the number of patients under treatment, render it necessary to increase the size of the ventilating fan and of the engine that drives it, and to furnish and fit up another kitchen. About one-third of the amount of this estimate will be needed for those purposes, and the remainder will be required for painting and repairs necessary to preserve public property, and for such improvements in the furniture and fitting up of the wards and in the facilities for the medical and moral management of the patients, as are suggested by experience and the progress of this branch of the healing art.
4. For completing the river-wall and raising the boundary-walls at their intersection with the latter, $8,748.
The river-wall has been built on just one-half the extent of the river front, at a cost of $10,000, but as the average depth of the water is less along the line of the remainder of the river front, it is estimated that this part of the work can be completed for $7,788, and that the cost of raising those portions of the boundary-walls that were originally extended into the river as water-fences and now intersect the front wall so that the former cannot be scaled from the latter, not from the filling of earth behind it, will be $960, the two amounts making the sum of $8,743.
5. For the erection, furnishing, and fitting up of an extension of the center building of the hospital edifice, $35,956.
The center building of the hospital edifice contains the administrative offices of the establishment, the principal kitchens and store-rooms, the general-assembly room and the officers' quarters. The hospital was originally intended to accommodate a maximum of 350 patients, and the present center was planned for an institution of that size. The number of patients now under treatment exceeds 600, and is increasing, and more room is required for the assembling of the patients, both for worship on the Sabbath and for lectures, concerts, and exhibitions on other days of the week. The present assembly-room accommodates barely 350 patients and their attendants, and at least 100 of the inmates of the institution, whose mental condition is such that they would derive pleasure and benefit from being present on such occasions, are now unable to attend the Sabbath services and the entertainments on other days. Additional room is also much needed for all the other purposes for which the center building was designed and is used. It is proposed to add 45 feet to the rear end of the present structure, and by extending the assembly-room into the addition, nearly double its present capacity; and the two stories and a cellar below the addition to the assembly-room will afford the other rooms and accommodations that are needed.
6. For a coal-vault in rear of the east wing, $2,500.
The demand for increased accommodations has rendered it necessary to fit up two of the original coal-rooms for dining-rooms, and to use the remaining two as work-shops, and for some years it has been necessary to deposit the most of the coal used in heating the house, in a huge, unsightly pile a short distance outside of the windows of patients' rooms. By using the foundation walls of the house for two sides of the vault, it is estimated that convenient storage-room for 500 tons of coal can be secured for the moderate amount of the estimate.
7. For the erection, furnishing, and fitting up of an extension of the west detached building for patients, $12,000.
This building was erected in 1856 to accommodate 20 patients, and it may be extended so as to comfortably accommodate at least 44. The room is needed, and it can be obtained in no cheaper way, nor in any manner that will be more advantageous to the proper ward-separation of those classes of the insane whose "most humane care and enlightened curative treatment" is required alike by the laws of Congress and the public sentiment which those laws embody.
The members of the board of visitors have in the past year, as in all previous years since the organization of the board in 1855, made frequent and careful inspections of all departments of the hospital, and it affords them much pleasure to be able to certify that the general condition and management of the institution under their supervision are highly satisfactory, and to express their belief, founded upon personal observation, that the assistant physicians and principal heads of the several divisions of the hospital service have been earnest and faithful in the discharge of their respective duties, and devoted to the comfort and welfare of the patients.
Chapel services having been interrupted for some time for the improvement of the general-assembly room, two vacancies in the corps of chaplains, which occurred by reason of the removal of the incumbents from the district, were not filled by the appointment of other clergymen. The chapel and other religious services have been satisfactorily conducted. The chaplains and occasional visitors frequently express surprise at the quiet that generally prevails among the patients. and the close and apparently intelligent attention that is paid to all the exercises.
We should not fail to acknowledge the valuable services of several of the attendants of both sexes, who by their tact, patience, and kindness in their treatment of the inmates under their immediate care have won not only the high respect both of the officers of the institution and of the best of their own associates and friends, but the gratitude of many patients and of their relatives and friends. We are, very respectfully, your obedient servants,
Hon. Columbus Delano,
Secretary of the Interior.
REPORT
OF
THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL.
Sir: The ordinary revenues of this Department for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1873, were $22,996,741.57, and the expenditures of all kinds $29,084,945.67. For the year ended June 30, 1872, the ordinary revenues were $21,915,426.37, and the expenditures $26,658,192.31. In 1873 there was an increase of revenue over 1872 of $1,081,315.20, or 4.93 per cent., and an increase of expenditures of $2,426,753.36, or 9.10 per cent. A comparison of 1873 with 1871 shows an increase in revenues of $2,959,696.15, or 14.42 per cent., and an increase of expenditures of $4,694,841.59, or 19.24 per cent. The increase or decrease in each item of receipt and expenditure during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1873, as compared with the years ended June 30, 1872, and June 30, 1871, respectively, is shown by table No. 2, accompanying the report of the Third Assistant Postmaster-General.
If, in addition to the ordinary revenues, the Department is credited with the amounts drawn and expended for subsidies to mail steamship-lines, ($725,000,) it will be seen that the amount drawn from the general Treasury under the appropriations to meet deficiencies during the year was $5,265,475, against $3,317,765.94 in 1872. To the deficiency for 1872, however, are to be added the standing appropriations for free matter, amounting to $700,000, which have since been repealed.
| The estimated expenditures for the year ending June 30, 18575, are | $33,929,912 00 | |
| The ordinary revenues, estimated at 13 per cent. over 1873 | $25,908,817 00 | |
| Estimated revenue from money-order business | 100,000 00 | |
| Estimated revenue from postal cards | 1,034,732 00 | |
| Estimated revenue from postage-stamps supplied to Departments | 2,250,000 00 | |
| 100,000,000 00 | ||
| Making the total estimated revenues for 1875 | 29,293,549 00 | |
| 100,000,000 00 | ||
| Leaving a deficiency to be appropriated out of the general Treasury of. | 4,636,363 00 | |
The foregoing estimates do not include the following special appropriations in the nature of subsidies:
| For mail steamship-service between San Francisco and Japan and China, under acts approved February 17, 1865, and February 15, 1867. | $500,000 00 |
| For additional subsidy under act approved June 1,1872 | 500,000 00 |
| For mail steamship service between the United States and Brazil, under act of May 28, 1864 | 150,000 00 |