The true northerner. [volume], December 04, 1874, Image 2

About The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920

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h (True JjUrUurnrr.
PAW PAW. MICHIGAN.
NEWS OF THE WEEK.
The East
A alight shock of earthquake was felt at
Newburyport, Mann , on the 25th ult.
The Nashua and Rochester road has been
completed, and. with its connections, forms
an air line between Portland, Me., and New
York city. Tho old line between the two
points its 444 miles long, and by the new lino
the distance in reduced to 83H miles, thua ef
fecting a aaviug of 106 miles between Now
York, Portland, St. John, Halifax, and other
pointa in that direction. A new line of
steamers between Portland ad English porta
ejkas j lift been put on.
Col. Forney has aold tho Philadelphia Ph M
to Col. A. K. McClnre and other anti-Admin
iatrationiata for 1250,000.
A number of prominent citizonB of New
York, among them Edwin D. Morgan. John
J. Cisco, Jonathan Sturges, Thurlow Weod
and William E. Dodge, have petitioned the
Polico CommiaaionerH to enforce the lawa
againat Sunday amuaementa in that city.
': Particulara of a battle among the coal
minora of Westmoreland county, Pa.,
Nov. 21, have been received. A band
of about twenty-live Italiane entored
the village of Showers, and conducted them
selves in a riotous manner, but were finally
driven off, and in the afternoor of tho same
day they were attacked by a party numbering
seventy-live. During the fight, which lasted
nearly an hour, four Italiaus were killed and
a number severely wounded, while the Amer
icans escaped entirely unhurt. Tho Italians
finally surrendered, and promised to leave the
place .
Mayor HaTomeyor, of New York, died sud
denly of apoplexy, in that city, on the morn
ing of tho 38th ult. -the day of the expiration
of hia term of oftOO,
Col. Forney has reconsidered hia deter
mination to sell the Philadelphia ProM, Mr.
Childs, of the Public eagW, having agreed,
to assist him out of hia liuancial embarrass
ments. The West.
The achooncr Augustus Ford, from Detroit
to Oswego, with wheat, was wrecked at Port
Maitland during tho late gale. Cap. Pease
and throe of the crew, one named Charloa E.
Hurd, and a woman cook were lost.
Michigan's ofticial census, just completed,
ehows that the State now haa a population of
1.316,808, being an increase of 152.. r2G since
1870.
The Indiana Supreme Court has decided that
colored children aro not entitled to tho public
school benefits of that State, because the
State Conatitution provides that only the chil
dren of ' citizens " are entitled to those bene
fits, and that colored peoplo, not having ben
" citienH " when the State Constitution wa
adoptod, the Fourteenth Amendment of tho
National Constitution, subsequently adopted,
does not supersede this provision of tho State
Cons titutiou.
A convention of those interested in an ex
pansion of the currency was held at Indian
apolis last week. Alexander Campbell, of
Illinois ; Alexander Troup, of Connecticut
Jamoa Buchanan, of Indiana : Horace H. Day,
of New York ; L. A. Wood, of Kentucky, and
several other prominent inflationists, were in
attendance. A declaration of principles was
adopted, in which the withdrawal of national
and State bank-notes, and tho issuance of
greenbacks in unlimited quantities in their
stead, is demanded. A national convention
(Expansionists, to nominate candidates for
President and Vice-President, was arrangod
to be held at Cleveland on tho 11th of March.
1875.
Tho Chicap papers announce tho death in
that city, at tho ago of 45 years, of S. C.
Campbell, the great baritone singer.
Tho committeo of tho National Board of
Fire Underwriters, who visited Chicago to in
spect the improvement made there, with a
view to safety againat fires, report that they
feel very hopeful for the future prosperity of
that city.
Two serious earthquakes were experienced
in Nevada on the 29th ult.
Walter Strain, of Buffalo, N. Y.. has re
turned from the Black Hills, where he has
been prospeotiug since August. Ho made a
thorough prospect, and reports some "pockot"'
gold found, but not enough to pay. He de
clares that there is not a shadow of truth in
tho statements made as to discoveries of gold
in that country. Two of his comrades were
shot by the Indians, of whom tho hills are
full.
The South
A Little Bock (Ark ) dispatch of tho 24th
of November states that Gov. Garland has
offered a reward of $1,000 for the arrest of V.
V. Smith, tho rival claimant to the Governor
ship. Smith waa reported to be concealed in
tho United States Arsenal at Littlo Bock.
Garland had telegraphed to the President that
he had no case to submit that he wa-. I tested
by 75.000 votes, and would not surrender tho
ofiico.
A New Orleans telegram states that a court
martial has been ordered by Gon. Emory for
the trial of Lieut. Hodgson, ujwu charges pre
ferred by Gon. Morrow, who was sent to in
vestigate Hodgson's actions and conduct in
North Louisiana.
Later and more authentic reports of tho
tornado at Tuscumbia, Ala., have been re
ceived. The storm did fearful work. Eleven
lives were lost, and $100,000 to 9150,000 worth
of property was destroyed. An appeal for
aid has been sent to President Grant by the
inhabitants of the village, and refused
by him on the ground that the army
supplies are barely sufficient for ordinary
purposes. A general appeal to tho public
has been made by tho authorities of the
atricken town.
The grand jury of Warren county, Miss., of
which Vickaburg is the capital, have returned
eight indiotmeuts against T. W. Cordoza,
eolored. State Kuperintendent of Education,
for forgery and embezzlement, six indict
ments against A. W. Dorsey, clerk of the
Circuit Court, for forgery and embezzlement,
nd five indictments against G. W. Daven
port, colored, clerk of the Chancery Court, for
forgery and altering the record. The grand
Jury was composed of ten blacks and seven
whites.
At Now Orleans, on Thanksgiving day,
William Lnae, foreman of flre company No
6, was shot and killed by 8. J. Newhouse,
second assistant of the same company.
F. Barry, aged 96, supposed to be the old
est printer in tho United States, died at Nt.
Louis, last week. His first take as a journey
man was Washington's obituary. At ninety
yeara of age, he worked at the cane in Nash
ville, Tenn.
Independence, Mo., was visited by an ex
tensive conflagration on the 25th ult., over
I1M.0M worth of property being destroyed.
Two outlaws, supposed to belong to the
Oadahill gang, have been captured, taken t.,
Little Hocl, Ark., and lodged in jail. 1 he
occasion of the capture was the robbery of a
country store near Little Bock, and let mur
der ! its proprietor, l.v r arty of five. Time
of tho members of tho gang escaped.
Win. 0. Keys, cousin of Frank Keys, iiutbor
of tho "Star Spangled Banner," commuted
hiiicide at the Keimert House, Bullion : -, hi t
week. The deceased had beon for boom tune
pee) in the hotel baeiaett.
Two passengers were killed and a numbor
wounded by an accident which occurred on
the Northern Central railroad, near Baltimore
last week. While two passenger trains v. oj
crossing Lake Bolaud the bridgo brok- end
six cars were thrown into the water.
Washington.
Tlo Secretary of tho Interior has received
addi nal information that parties of nil en
aro working on tho Sioux reservation in the
Black Hills. Ho has requested the War De
partment to instruct tho military officers to
remove all such trespassers, to avoid trouble
with tho Indians.
It seems certain that E. B. Washburno is
about to return from Franco on a brief leave
of absence. It is officially statod that hia
visit has no political aiguificance.
Tho Commiasionora appointed to framo a
bill for a permanent form of government in
the District of Columbia have agreed upon the
kind of government they will recommotid.
They will recommend the appointment of
three Commissioners to be nominated by tho
President and confirmod by the Senate, who
shall have executive charge of the entire
government. The Commission is to have au
thority to appoint aubordinate Commissioners
and officers to perform tho adminiutrativo
work. There ia to bo no Legialativo Council.
Congress will legislate exclusively for tho
District.
It iB reported that tho President favors the
schemo for a grand system of internal im
provement, with a view of reviving business.
The Evening Mail, a Democratic crguu,
made its appearance on Thanksgiving day.
It is stated that the representatives of tho
whisky interest, with a powerful lobby, intend
this winter to attempt to raise tho tax on dis
tilled spirits 10 cents a gallon.
An active effort will doubtless bo made at
the next session to bring tho cost of customs
collections within reasonable figures. Last
year it cost .i lI).000,0!.K) to collect 1 100, 000, 000
of customs duties, while the Internal Bovo
nuo Bureau collected i 105,000,000 at a cost of
only 5,000,000.
Tho safe burglary conspiracy trial has beon
brought to a close. Tho jury wore unable to
agree upon tho guilt or innocenco of Whitely
and Harrington, but found Williams not
guilty.
Tho special loan agent of the Treasury De
partment, who has just returned from Eu
rope, says a Washington telegram, brings
advices which show that the syndicate will at
an early date take tho remainder of the fl vi
per cent, bonds, that are now nearly reduced
to i 100,000,000. If theso aro subscribed fer
in one round sum, it will complete the re
funding of 50fl. 000,000 of the five-twenties
authorized in 1802. Tho Secretary of the
Treasury has the opinion of loading members
of the syndicato, that another loan could be
negotiated of 5 per cent, bonds, provided they
were authorized.
A prominent Republican member of tho
House, in conversation tho other day, ex
pressed the opinion that no financial legisla
tion could bo expected this winter.
The President, it is reported, will insist that
Congress shall, at its coming session, settle
the Louisiana and Arkansas muddles.
It is announced from Washington that, in
vies' of tho recent decision of the Supreme
Court of Indiana, denying to colored children
any rights in the public schools of tho State,
the friends hero of tho Civil-Bights bill in
tend to urge its prompt paBBage, no matter
whether the President vetoes it or not. It
has passod tho Senate, and is ponding in tho
House Judiciary Committee.
A summary of tho estimates of govern
mout appropriations for tho coming year in
the hands of the committee show a reduction
over last year of 7, 000, 000.
It is pretty well settled that tho Republic
ans will, as a body, resist tho attempt to ro
enact the law requiring Congress to moot on
the 1th of March.
The Inspector-General of the army, in his
annual report, says a regulation is much
needed, inflicting some punishment on sol
diers who marry without proper permission.
Military posts aro somowhat overrun with the
wives of enlisted moti, and it ia well known it
requires about as much transportation to
move four laundresses as it doos to move a
whole company of mon.
General.
The international feature of the Centenninal
Inhibition is doomed to failure Not a single
respectable government will take a hand in it
A most daring case of abduction occurred
at Freemansbnrg, Ta., last week. Tho child
stealer entered tho house of ono Allan (lla-r-,
and took from a crib beside tho bed occupied
by tho father and mother their infant child.
The Superintendent of tho Postal Bail way
Service, in his annual report, recommends the
establishment of a fast and exclusive mail
train between Now York and Chicago, as there
appears to be a growing necessity for the
same, to run tho distance in about twenty
four hours.
The Supreme Court of tho United States
has just rendered an important decision, the
result of which will probably hasten tho solu
tion of the troublesomo problem of the tribal
relations of tho Indians. Another result will
be to destroy somo very valuable pine timber
contracts in Wisconsin and Minnesota, at 1 to
render a considerable number of Indian tubes
almost entirely destitute. The decision in
question is to the effect that the Indian tribes
do not own tho fee to tho lands within their
respective reservations, being only tenants of
the United States, to whom alone tho fee be
long. Tho decision also holds that the tim
ber and minerals aro a portion of tho realty,
and that the Indian Iribos cannot sell the ono
nor lease tho other. Tho caso crme up from
the reservation of the Oneida Indians, near
Green Bay. in Wiscousin, whero one or twe
Indians had disposed of a quantity of pine
logs.
The iron manufacturers in Western Penn
sylvania and Northern Ohio have decided to
close th lr mills altogether until there is somo
improvement in the market. 'I he Eastern
manufacturers will still keep aomo furnaces in
blast, but they also have agreed to reduce pro
duction very materially. Thouaands of labor
era in the shops and the mines will be thrown
out of employment by Ibis action.
The prospect ia that the proposed new re
ciprocity treaty between the United States and
Canada will fail of ratification. There is bitter
oppoeiMm to it on both sides of the line, and
even in Groat Britain, where apprehensions
eist that Canada would impose differential
duties discriminating against England and m
favor of the United States.
Foreign.
It is announced from Madrid that tho Span
ish government haa expressed a willingness
to pay indemnity in the Virginias case to tho
United States on the same basis as that with
which Great Britain was satisfied for the out
rage perpetrated on her subjects.
Last week's Mark Lane Kxprtun reports a
general advance in the continental market,
since tho previous issue, of one shilling in
the prico of wheat.
Dispatches from Minister Cuahing leave no
doubt of the truth of the report that tho in
demnity demanded by our government from
Spam for outrages committed on American
cifi.ons, is to be reforred to tho arbitration
provided by the Virginius protocol.
Buckland and McOahan, correspondents of
the Now York Times and llerabl, have been
arrested in Spain, and subjected to many in
dignities. Von Arnim is no longer kept under police
surveillanco by Herr Von Bismarck. Tho
former still keeps a stiff upper lip, however,
refusing to hand over the correspondence
Bismarck so much desires to possess.
A bill has been introduced in tho Italian
Parliament providing for a grant of 20,000
annually to Garibaldi.
A frightful mountain disaster is reported at
the groat Mount St. Bernard. Eleven persons
wore buried in snow, and it ia supposed all
have perished.
In response to a toast at tho 'annual ban
quet of the cntlera of Sheffield, England, Kin
iater Schenck expressed tho bolief that En
gland and America could, united, withstand
tho wholo world, if necessary.
The Paris Municipal Council has adopted
tho plan proposed by tho Prefect of tho Seine
for a lottery loan of 44,000,000 francs.
A Havana letter of Nov. 21 gives a discour
aging account of tho financial condition of tke
island, which is doily becoming more hope
lessly involved. Tho government ia owing
everybody and unable to pay even the smallest
debts. Tho Spanish soldiers aro said to be
deserting by the wholesale AtGuasimas, re
cently, ninety-seven went over to the insur
gents in, a body.
Tho oflicora and crew of the Australian cut
tor Lapwing, on a late voyage to Noumea from
Now Caledonia, stopped at Santa Cruz Island
for provisions, and the savages massacred all
but one native sailor, and destroyed tho cut
ter. No names are given.
A private letter from 3t. Piorro Miqualon
gives an account of a terrible tragedy which
took place at Indian Tickle, Labrador, on tho
night of Nov. 15. The victims were two
families named Morrison, numbering nine
persons, only one of whom, a girl, tempi d.
It seems that of late gangs of Esquimaux In
dians have been committing robberies at
huts and atorea, and that after the capture of
aeveral of the Indiana they were publicly
chastised by whipping. The Iudians Bought
revenge, and on tho night of 15th visited tho
dw elling of the Morrisons, and shot and stabbed
to death eight of the nine persons residing
there. One Indian was also shot
A now i ailroad is projected in tho Dominion,
to counoct tho province of Manitoba with
- IBM point in British Columbia, on tho Pacific
coast.
AN I MM AN KAMACBE.
Terrible Fate of I lie QenstelSI Family,
from Oeorgln A .Man, Mi Wife ami
Three lilhlrcii Killed ami Hiitllated
Four QtrlS Carried Into liiptivity
Hetti tie ot Two of I hem.
Some two or throe months ago a statement
was published in tho papers that tho bodies
of four white persons and the charred wreck
of an emigrant wagon had been found on tho
Smoky Hill, II miles from Sheridan Station,
on the Kansas Pacific railway. Tho bodies
were horribly mutilated, and the only thing
left to identify tho family was a small Bible,
upon tho lly-loaf of which was
w ritten " Gonnam, Blue Bidge. Ga." At
first the story was not behevud, but subse
quently such corroborative evidence was fur
nished as to leave no doubt that a portion of
tho family had been foully butchered, and tho
female members carried into captivity. Two
of the latter- young girla have eince been
rescued. A sergeant of the Eifth Infantry,
who waa with a detachmont of troopa which
effected tho rescue, lias arrived at Leaven
worth, and furnishes tho particulars
of the revolting massacre of the
family, and tho hardships borne by
tho captives. Ho obtained Ins version of tho
butchery from tho elder girl of the two cap
tured. He says the family -consisting of
father and mother, one son grown, five daugh
ters, and an infant were surprised by a band
of Indians while encamped on the Smoky
Hill. The father, mother, son and tho oldest
daughter an invalid were horribly butchered
ami scalped before the eyes of the younger
girn. l notour oilier gtru and the infant
were placed on ponies, and forced to endure
every hardship of travel known. Tho sav
ages, finding the infant a burden, brained
it with a tomahawk, and then continued
their flight southward with tho girls. Ada
and Lucy Gormain -the former aged 10,
and Un latter 10 were compelled, in the most
brutal and shameful manner, to submit to the
lustful embraces of tho savage devils. Thoso
two guls aro yet prisoners, held by Gray
E,ie--'s band of Cheyennes, numbering 120
warriors, although there is hardly a doubt of
their recapture, as the troops are closing in on
the war party, and, being mounted on fresh
horses, will certainly overtako the savages,
those MM are run down, and hardly fit for
active warfare. The recaptured girls are aged
r. speeiively 7 and II years. The younger bore
me imrusiups or captivity much better than
her sister. Tho elder would not have lived
more than a week longer under tho savage
treatment. Both wore almost naked, em
aciated, and at the time of thoir rescue, pre
sented s spectacle of human wretchedness
and despair almost without a parallel in the
history of savago barbarism.
Tho soldiers of the rescuing detachment
made covering for the bodies of the half
nased children from their own clothing, and,
in every other way possible, ministered to the
comfort of the sufferers. Tho younger girl
does not seem to realize the terrible fate of
the family. When taken, she asked the sol
diers, in the simplicity of child-like curiosity,
whai tribe they belonged to.
Gov. Li si.iK, of Kt ntiioky, received
a letter the other day telliug him that
lie nuiriit to le avhnnipil toimhlish mieh
mean political cartoon in his illustra
ted paper.
s Ian -liter of Hack Pay Urahbers.
Out of one hundred and two Kepre
seutatives in the forty-second Congress
who voted for tho salary-grab, twenty
four only secured a renominatio i to
Congress, while seventy-eight were
either beaten for renominstion or other
wise withdrawn from public view. The
nunies of these seventy-eight are as fol
lows : Adams, Averill, Higby, liing
ham, Blair, IWeinun, Boles, Bntttey,
Burdett, Caldwell, Carroll, Coughliii,
Conner, Critcher, Cropland, Dnkey,
Dubolee, Duell, Eldridge, Elliott, 11.
I. Poetar, Garrett, Gets, Giddingm,
(iolladay, Grillith, Hanks, Harper,
(ieorge E. Harris, T. W. Hazleton,
lierudou, Houghton, Kendall, Iviiik,
Lamison, Lamport, Lansing, Leach,
Lowe, Ifaynara, AfoHtnry, IfeJonkeo,
McKee, MoKiliney, Mc' ely, B, F.
Meyers, Morphia, H. L. Ni black, Back
aid, Beck, Perce, Price, I'limile, .1. M.
Riot, Robinson, J. Bogtrt, S. EL Bog-
ers, Sargent, Shanks, Slieiwoi ul, Si:;i ,
Snyder, Storm, Stonghtoii, St. John,
Sutherland, Tulle, D. Towuseud, Tur
ner, Tuthill, Twitchell, Voorhttt,
Whittle, Williams, J. M. Wilson, Win
chester, and Young.
Out of the twenty-four who voted for
the salary-grab in March, 1S7;, who
wi re nominated for Congress in 1874,
twelve were defeated at the polls, as
follows : Benjamin P, Butler, of Mass
sochusetts ; Roderick B. Butler, of Ten
nessee ; Clinton L. Cobb, of North
( ai oliua ; A. C. Harmer, Leonard Mey
ers, and James S. Negley, of Pennsyl
vania, Isaac C. Parker, of Missouri ; Eli
Perry, of New York ; J. H. Piatt, of
Virginia; J. H. Ruiney, of South Caro
lina ; J. 11. Sypher, of Louisiana, and
J. H. Sloss, of Alabama.
Out of the whole number of one
hundred and two members voting for
the salury-grab, only nine have been
re-elected to Congress. The names of
these spared monuments areas follows :
W. H. H. Stowell, of Virginia ; John
Hancock, of Texas ; A. S. Wallace, of
South Carolina, Samuel J, Randall, of
Pennsylvania, '. B. Uarrall, of Louisi
ana ; A. M. WaddtlL of North Caroli
na ; Charles Huys, of Alahuuin ; J. A.
Garlield, of Ohio, and N. P. Banks, of
Mushuchusetts. Not all of these nine
even took the money. General Garfield,
for example, refused to touch the extra
salary of $5,000, although voting for
the bill containing it on other grounds.
Vinci una' i ( 'mn tncn-hil.
Habits of the (irasshonper.
"Prof. Htjateton, of Wortaington, Minn.,
described to tat 2'rQnme oorrespondenl the
greoshopper'i mode of depositing her tggs In
the soil, a subject which lie has had excellent
opportunity for studying this year. The tail
of the female locust consists 01 a hard, bon v,
cone-shaped substance, capable of being
thrust into the ground fiom one-half of an
inch to an inch in depth. Just above this, on
tho body of the insect, and attached to it. in
tho egg cell. The gneahoppOf is able to path
its conical tail down into the ground and
leave it there, with the cell containing the
eggs. The warm snn in the spring causes
tho eggs to hatch, and the field is covered
with millions of young grasshoppers, not as
larjjo as a kernel of wlnjat, jimt when tho
tender shoots of grain begin to show them
selves above the grounv. The damage thm
do is immense, for they remain a long time
in ono spot, and work upon tho young
shoots. 1'orhap the best mode of treat
ment is ' back sotting,' or plowing the liold,
and thus turning tho surfaco soil, with
its store of eggs, several inches under.
Tail prevents hatching, and, though not
a complete remedy, is very useful. AM
tijic Miscellany, in tfw Ualax; for lhrun
bcr. This is a correct account of the
method of the grasshopper in deposit
ing her eggs, but, unless those
who are familiar with these insects are
greatly at fault in tlit ir obttif atiou
the writer is not accurately informed
concerning the predatory huhits of the
young grasshoppers. (Jen. Brisbin,
while here in behalf of the Nebraska
Belief Association, informed us that
these grasshoppers do very little, if
any, damage to the crops during their
young days. They do not show voraci
ty until they have grown large and
strong enough to take their first flight.
Then when they nlighl upon any Dtld
every green thiug suffers. They 0OY6X
the fields so completely as to hide the
local color of the vegetation. Alight
ing on a hill of corn, for instance, they
cluster upon the blades, the laitti, the
tender ear, the stalk, frequently break
ing it down by their numbers and
weight, and never leaving it until it is
stripped so completely that tho stalk
looks as though it had Ween scorched by
fire. ( Vh cinn at i Conim n ia t.
The Sanitary Condition of Water.
There is no more prolific source of
diftttt than bad water; but to dis
tinguish whether the fluid is unlit for
consumption or not is somewhat diffi
cult. Water from a certain river, spring
or well may be repulsive to the Itjntl,
and yet harmless to the stomach, in
comparison with other water winch has
n more attractive appearance. Perhaps
the best mode of determining the ques
tion is to examine the comlition of the
organisms dwelling in tho proposed
source to bo utilized. If, for example,
an industrial ettablithnenl or collec
tion of d Welling! empties refuse into
the stream, and as a result fish disap
pear or are found dead upon the sur
nttt, it is certain that the water is
strongly and injuriously atVected. Tho
gradual infection maybe noted by the list
irtl rising to the top, apparently ill at
att, and snbsequeiilly dying. In
vitiated water also mollusks perish, and
their bodies decompose rapidly. Iu
the air they merely seem to dry up and
rattifl life, though toqiid for some time.
Cresses cannot live in corrupt water,
and their existence is a sign of purity
in the fluid, whil" nlg;e deprived of
their green color indicate ebtolute. cor
ruption. M. Gerurdin, in referring to
this subject in a recent note to the
FrtOOh Assembly, states that the best
method of measuring the dtfttt of
purity or of infection in the water is by
determining the amount of oxygen in a
given quantity. Water containing a
large percentage of gas is pure and
good; but when little of the latter is
present tho water is decidedly deleted
ous to health. Shit ntific Aim rican,
A Mnvr Biuiiat, PMUMt. Ia Shef
field, England, recently, a workman,
who had jtist been married in church,
was met on his return by about fifty of
his fellows, and received a fine leg of
mutton as a wedding present. He ac
cepted it with thanks, and soberly walk
ed his way, a leg of mutton in his right
hand and nis blushing bride leaning on
his left arm.
NATIONAL . IRS.
Tlir I lit trior llep.n lint nt.
Nsi i Pn.'Ki "i sm iietauv Delano A
Dteoineioa oi rai Iniuan Qomtum Hi
Bboomkbum raw tmk BoaiBflrtAS Lawi
be Kxtkndkh ro Iniuanh Condition ok
no i n ii i. i:ii uoaiis Tat Pvaue Do
aan Bee rat VTaem ok Tiyaaa LurM
May iik LaBBWBB.
The annual i t port of the Secretary of the
Interior to the President is a voluminous doc
ument mi. I ei have room for only a brief
synopnia of it. The most interesting portion
is that relating to the Indian problem, to the
discusBion of which a large portion of the re
port is devoted. Mr. Dolano sayB the opera
tions of tho Indian Bureau during the past
year aro highly gratifying, and furnish M con
clusive evidence of tho Justice, wisdom and
practibility of the policy inaugurated by tho
present administration." Th. Secretary
recomuieiuls that the salaries of Indian
Agents be increased minoihitely, with a
view of securing men of proper capacity and
right motives to undertake the work of civ
ilizing and Christianizing the savages. He
says
I am happy in being able to Bay that the
earnest, active and cordial co-operation of
several Christian o ganiations, to which the
right of nominating agents has been assigned,
ami upon whose nominations alone suvh
agents are appointed, is constantly improving
this class of employes, and thu we aro each
vear, to some extent, advancing the MITkM
by obtaining agents more experienced and in
telligent, and of greater capacity for their
hccular, as well as their moral and religious
work."
To aid in prosecuting the work of Indian
civilization, the Secretary recommends the
extension of tho Homestead lawn to Indians,
with certain modifications and restrictions.
He says i
" Those lawe at present apply to citizeuB of
the United States only, and their provisions
cannot be employed, except by that small por
tion of the Indian race who aro legally en
titled to the privileges of citizenship.
" A. common ow nership of property is the
nominal condition of the Indian race, and
with it aro found nomadic habits totally in
consistent with the idea of HI lilt Hill habita
tions, individual ownership and domestic m
dustry. Tho work of civilization can never
be completed until Ciese habits are aban
doned. Every proper inducement ought,
therefore, to be offered the Indian which will
prompt him to individual ewiMVShin of prop
erty, and such habits of industry and economy
Mtre incident to nir civilization.
" Our Homestead laws require residence
aud cultivation for live years before the ap
plicant becomes entitled to a patent for his
laud. Those live years afford considerable
guarantee that no ono will apply to make
homestead entries unless he possesses tho
qualities essential to citizenship.
Should it be suggested that the exteneiou
of this privilege to Indians would fnruiah in
ducements to spet ulatoru to use them in ac
quiring titles to our public lauds, I would
loply that this danger can be preventod by
providing that the patent to be lesuea shall
contain a clause rendering tho title inalienable,
esoept by content of the President, rail would
insure ample security against tho abuse of
this privilege, as well as necessary protec
tion against improvident sales without ade
quate consideration.
An extension to the Indians of the benefits
of the Homestead laus. will greatly facilitate
the work of their civilization. It will rapidly
break Jp tribal oiganizations and Indian com
munities: it will bring Indians into subjection
Of our laws, civil awd criminal; it will induce
them to abaudou roving habits, and teach
them the benefits of industry aud individual
ownership, and thus prove highly advanta
ge.. us in promoting their prosperity.
" Tho condition of the Indian population is
anomalous, aud their relation to tho general
government undefined. This is the result of
nooeoaitj, but the time has arrived when, in
the progress of events, it should bo remedied.
It may not be possible, at present, to devise a
system of laws which shall perfectly define
the relations between Indians and the gov
ernment, or that will cure all the defects
now existing for want of legislation, but it
is porsiblo to remedy many existing evilB,
and thus facilitate the work wo h ave under
taken, "The work of civilization will be greatly
accelerated by enactments which shall define
as far as poseiblo the relations between this
race aud the government : which shall fur
nish authority for enforcing the orders and
requisitions Of agents j which shall be suffi
cient to punish Indians for crimes against each
other, and against people vten Mr (X mmitted,
and which shill also inflict adequate punish
ment upon white people who trespass upon
territory belonging to Indians, or commit
crimes against them.
"The time has arrived when Borne general
laws regulating Indian citizenship is. in my
judgment, indispensable Occasionally,
treaty stipulations with Indian tribes are ex
piling, among whom is found a greater or less
degree of civilization. This c impels the do-
pRi tmontto determine the status of such In
dians in regare to citizenship. There are also
many who desire to separate from their
tribes, adopt the habits and customs of civil
ized life, nd become ctieiis.
The Secretary refers to the black Hills re
connoissance, and tho reports regarding the
discovery of precious metals in that rogiou.
Upon this subject ho says i
1 he military reeonnoissance of the Black
Hills countrv was regarded bv the Indians
as a violation of their treaty, and produced a
turbulent feeling among them. Its objects,
however, were peacefully a complishod. Ex
travagant statements concerning the mineral
wealth of the country crested great excite
ment MBOBg the peOUlO, and exploring parties
were organized for tho purpose of prospect
ing the countrv. Subsequent information
establishes the fact that no evidence of valu
able mineral deposits was famished, and that
the lands in that region are undcsirablo for
culivation and settlement by white men.
Notwithstanding this, organized parties have
atemptod to explore it. and havo been at
tacked and repulsed l,y the Indians. It is ap
prehended that efforts will be made to induce
legislation for the extinguishment of the In
dian titlo to the black Hills country and to
bring the laud into market. It is hoped that
neb efforts will ho without success, because
of the general unfitness of the cou itry for
settlement, and becanso any attempt to dis
possess the Indians at present of a region of
country upon which they located for socurily
egsjast the encroachments of too white man
wonid meet with violent aud determined ro
aietanoe." ' The Secretary gives an extended exhibit of
the tin tncial condition of the various Pacific
railroa ls. The subsciiplioiiM to the stock of
the Union Pacific Kailroad Companv amount
to 196,788,000, of w hich $90,711,100 ttM been
paid. Tho receipts for the year ending 30th
June, 1H74, from the transportation of passen
gers wore 9,749,9M .12; of freight, $5.(572,
724 01 ; and from miscellaneous souices, tH24,
098.00 j total, 910,99,700.18. (These figures
include "amounts earned for, and withheld
by, the United States for tho transportation of
its passengers, freight and mails. ) I ho ex
pense of operating the road for tho year has
been 099,799.171 leaving net earnings 9-ri,-lfjii.'.lTil.
'.!'.. 'I be entire cost . f the re, id and
fixturee to 30lh June. 174, was 112, 127.277 4C.
Tbe total bonded indebtedness of tho company
is shown to be 7.r).261.512, of which 927.2.1;,"
' I .! in due to the United States. The " floating
debt" (not including tho company's note for
r' nnn.iHHi. issued to the " lloxie contract ) ie
2,234.873 62, and "sterling loans" (90,000.
The amount of stock of the Central Pacific
Kailroad Companv subscribed is C.2.iVW,K00,
of which 954,27r,.M) has b on paid, The re
ceipts for tho year ending 30th June, 1874,
from transportation of passengers were 84,
839.718 52. and of freight 97, 1)38.773. 93; total.
9 .2,028,492 45. Tho operating expense of the
r..ad for the year were 94,816,082.40, leaving
not earnings to the amount of f 7,212.410.05.
At the close of said year the indebtedness of
the companv amounted to 985,673, lsi 7.'. of
which: i was to the United States.
Stock of the Northern Pacific Railroad
Company (as shown by the last report) to the
amount of f 109,000,000 has been subscribed,
and certificates for 202.326 shares, of 91(H)
each, have been issued. Tho main line of
the read ha been built, and is now in daily
operation from Derate, oa Lake Superi...
westward to Ibstnai. k, on the Missouu river,
a distance of 4r mi let sod from Kalama, or!
the north side of the Columbia river, in the
Territory of Washington, m rthwardto laconn.
on Commencement I'. o T t Hound, a di
tance of 105 miles. The cost of the surveys
of the linos of the road, including iiecemarv
purchase of r.ght of way, has been 108
99.75. The extent of lines snrveyed u
miles, and. In addition, 1,860 miles of rivi
reeonnoiMance. When the tisal
shall have been made, the MfahfJ "i mAm
BfVtfta1 will be Stoat 12.000. and the com
of the Harvey will aggregate about M.500,
0o0(jual to about 125 per rrile. The in
debtedness of the company i as) follow
Fiiet lenctgegs. bonds (dollar), 198,891,000
first -mortgage bonds (sterling. 9 1, 980,001
bills payable. 9T0t,t99.99 1 accounts payable.
975 042 20: bonds and senp issued to fund
interest. 9889,804 ; total, 981.688 880 .
The amount of stock of the Texas and Pa
ci tie Hailwsy Company authorized by law u
850,000,000: capital stuck is-uedl
for partial pawnents on account of subscrip
tions, 46O0.000 : full-paid stock. 1,('0O.ikmi
total, ,600,000. The Indebtedness of the
company is as follows: tirsf-mortgige 1, ,.
cent, gold construction bond" iud, y'J.21n .
000 ; first-mortgage leisf great 7 per Dent,
currency bonds issued, 99.251.000 ; floating
debt, 92,207,444.45 : debt of the Southern l'h
citic Kailroad Company to the State ni Texas,
assumed by the Texas and Pacific Compai ,
98,204,964.69; total, 922. 17 J. 109. till. J hi
company's assets are as follow 1 320 miles of
constructed sud equipped road ; 107 miles 01
partially constructed and equipped road : B5f
miles oi telegraph lino. 820.708.996.61; ac
counts collectable. 973.481.77; supplieB 011
hand, 1188,990.78 1 cash on hand. $97, 183 to
tal, Sc'l. 018.042. 18. The road will extend
from Shrevoport, La., on Hod river, to San Di
ego, California, with a branch from Marshall.
Texas, to Texarkana, there ouueotiug with
the Cairo and I'nlton railroad, and from 1 1
arkana through Pans and Sherman, connect
ing with the main line at Fort Worth.
During the fiscal year ending June 30
1879, public lands ere disposed of as fol
lows :
Cash sales Iil.til.e
Military warrant locations 189,109.01
Homestead entries 8,S189t I
Timber culture entries Hii:i,944.4fi
Agricultural college scrip locations 112,HTj..t-
c rtitled to railroads 8,984,814.42
Approved to State as swamp JS2.1s7.'.'
Certified for wagon-roads 57,911.11
Osrttfted fer agricultural colleges llt.tSt.lfi
Certified for common schools 0!i.s,.'.i. M
Certified for universities J4,CvS L82
Approved to States for internal improve
ments :24,9H;.TW
Sioux liall-breed scrip locations 790.011
Chippewa half-breed scrip locations . ll.t'.Tl.Tl
Total iBHynte
a quantity less by 8,499,759.91 acres than that
disponed of the pi c eding year. The cash
receipts were 93,409,988760, a sum less by
$988,571 than that receded the preceding
year. During the year 29,492.110.43 scree
were surveyed, making, with the quantity
previously Burveyed. 649.393.052 acres, and
leaving yet to be surveyed 1,185,005, 148 a.-res.
It is worthy of notice that tho diminution m
the aggregate quantity of lauds disposed of
he last fiscal year, as compare.! with the year
before, is found chn il v In the amount certi
fied to railroads : 8,994,814.49 acres, in the
year ending June B0, ls71. against 6,088,590,5"
acres in that ending June 30, 1V:( !early a
million acres wero entered under the Timber
I act, which augurs well for the now treeless
prairiesof the West. The entries under this
and the Homestead act exceed by over hall a
I million acres like entries during the preced
! nig year. Such entries, being ma.lo for actual
use, are the surest criterion of the progress
j of the couutry.
The rapid destruction of timber in this
country, and especially that which is found
on the public lands, is a source of great solici
tude to all persons who have given thesiib
I ject any consideration. If this destruction
I progresses in the future as rapidly as iu the
I past, the timber lands of the government will
' soon be denuded of everything that is valua
ble. Effective legislation protecting these
hinds from such Wattoil Sbsolntslj Dl 0OM
and cannot longer be neglected without seri
j ous injury to the public interests.
The recommendations of the Commissioner
are, that pine and fir lands shall not be mi!
ject to entry under the pre-emption and
homestead lawn j that a system of surveys be
devisod bv which the miantitvlnf nine and tir
1 timber on each smallest subdivision of a sec
j tion may be at least closely approximated j
1 that an immediate exploration by expert" of
I the uusurveyed portion of those States and
j Territories known to contain nine and fir tim
ber be made, with a view of QtflSft silling the
geographical situation of such districts i that
the reporta of euch exploratioua be follow d
by immediate surveys, appraisements, procla
mations and sales, at not less than
the IMftltOd' value, and for cash
only. Under the laws now in force for
the disposition of public lands, it is difficult,
if not impossible, to obtain more than the
minimum price (91.25 per acre) for land.
klOWOvtr valuable. When timbered lands hi .
advertised for Bale, private parties, desiring
to purchase, make such arrangements and
combinations as to prevent competition
henco, the lands, if disposed of at all, are
sold at the minimum when offered at public
sale, aud, if not then sold, are immediately
entered at the minimum covernmont price bv
such parties. The most effectual means o"l
preventing these practices i. m my judgment,
to adopt the laRgestions of the Oommusinnei
Mgeidlng tho survey and appraisal of th -.
lands, and when they aro offejed at public or
1 rivete sale to make tho appraised value their
minimum.
The tihtoniM Bureau.
An nt a i, RavOBT Of Commissionkb Jrs.xsox
Amount of Collections Dubino the Vkai:
How aJUaicAN TouaisT.s SatULr..LK Oool's
AS I'miSuNAL Ll I 1. 1 is.
Henry C. Johneon, CommisBionor of Cus
toms, has mado his report to the He. rotary Oi
the Treasury, from which it appears there was
paid into the Treasury for the year endinf
with Juno last, 1188,108,898 on account of
customs; in tines, penalties, aud forfeitun -$651,271;
steamboat inspection. 274.4!Mi
labor, drayage. storage, etc., 9488 884; Marine
Hospital tax. 9962,880; official fees earned 1 v
collectors, 634.M42. making in round Dnmben
a total or 9168,480,609. Thore was pais
out of tho Treasury, oujeuetome account, 929,.
895,978 This sum includes 97,819,407 ex
penses of collection ; tl, 205,701 refund
ing excess of deposits on duties;
301. 977 on debentures ; 4.783,0,4 on public
buildings i 2,4mu,382 construction and main
tenance of lights ; 91,190,568 construction and
maintenance of revenue cutters: 9900,087
marine hospital service ; 9317,51 distribution
shares of fines, penalties and forfeitures ,
9180.164 preserving life and prooertv from
shipwreck; aud 8 107, 933 miscellaneous ac
counts. The Commissioner savs : "The
evils of the moiety system iu its practical ad
ministration were undoubtedly great, and by
the enactment of repeal, June 22. 1874, Con"
gress appears to have rendered its Judgment
that they wero greater than the evils tho svs
tom wao designed to prevent. Ho far ai a
faithful and zealous execution of tho new law
by this Bureau can effect that object, the
judgment of Congress against the BOiet
........... 1 - a.-: 1 i . a.
njntviu buiu itv Busvaiiieu ; DUtltlS vottoo
early to state what the result has been, or to
predict intelligently what tko ultimate result
will be upon the revenue and mercantile
classes."
It is estimated the American tourists re
turning from Europe during the vear ending
Juno 30, 1S73, numbered 36,830, and each per
son brought on the average scvon trunks
tilled with dutiable goods, claimed to bo per
sonal baggage, not dutiable.. Wo have thu
an average of 157,810 traaki rilled with arti
cles claimed as duty free, representing, on a
valuation of 9500 for each trunk, the enor
mous sum of 912H.905.000. It is well known
that much of this baggage is in realitv intend
ed to bo put upon the market as merchan
dise, and still other portion,, of it sr brought
over for third parties, who have remained at
home. Most of those engaged in this kind of
importation are people of wealth, who should
cheerfully bear their just proportion of the
national indebtedness, and when they fad t.
do no by this incipient form of smuggling the
burden falls more heavily. .ih.-r- and dis
courages the honest merchant who is willing