St. Paul weekly Minnesotian., 1861-01-11

Fund.
The five per cent fund is usually added
in other States to the School Fund, aud
the example may well be followed here.
have felt IT. my duty to recommend
the general features OF a matured. land sys-
tenn at this time, not with view to press
ing 40 immediate sale of the lands, which
am far from advising, but because the
great landed interests of the State require
immediAta saper vision in Several Important
particulars, and because if We begin as we
probably will, to sell the lands, in two or
three years from now, it will require a
great part of the intervening time to make
the necessary surveys, and TO collect and
arrange the necessary plats, descriptions
and other details.
Several circumstances call for an inlme-
date supervision of the State Lands:
/. The increasing depreciation upon
the State lands, their appropriations by
settlers, and the spOiiaton of the timbered
land tracts, should be averted, and
this can only be done efrectually by the
central authority.
2. In the acts Of Congress authorizing
the State government, it is provided, that
where the school sections have been sold
or otherwise disposed of by the United
States, other lands equivalent.thereto, aud
as contiguous as may be- shall be granted
20 the State. 1t is of considerable conse
quence to ascettain as soon as possible,
what school lands have been appropriated
and to what amount of lands in lieu there.
of the State is entitled, as the progress Of
settlement is rapidly narrowing the range
of selectionin desirable locations. %
8. have already called your attention
to re-survey of the Swamp Lands for the
purpose Of selection. =, ~. ,e.s.s
These exigeDc,es call for such ageneral
examination of the State lands, that it
seems desirable, to ensure efficiency and as
q matter Of general economy, that the ex
animation should be complete in all typo
graphical details, and embrace all the pre-
iminary steps necessary to the eventual
disposal of the lands twill not be neces
sary for the purposes, nor until our land
operations begin to be self:sustaining, to
establish separate Land Department.
Cut such functions Of Land Commissioner
as would be called into exercise by present
sxigences, may be more economics ly en-
trusted to some Of the existing State. Off
cerst Ie,.sa- 3, So
In the formation Of the Constitution
provision has been made for encouraging
our aboriginal population to attain the
status of civilized men. Previous to that
time, for almost quarter of a century,
individuals, acting under the direction of
benevolent associations in our own land,
had been sowing the seeds Of civilization
which have been springipg up and ripen-
ing into fruit. The Government, also,
within few years past, have directed their
attention aud efforts. under the various
treaties to civilizing and elcyating the
Red Men within our State. The results
are very gratifying Many among the Da-
kotas and other tribes, have adopted the
habits and customs of white people, and
are very desirous Of being recognized rs
men and citizens. -, s.t.l ... ts.E
In our aye of progress, with d general
disposition Oh the part Of our people to do
what may be done for the benefit of those
whose lands we have acquired, it would
seem that the tune had fully come for the
passage of such law, by the Legislature,
as is needsd to carry out the provisions of
the Constitution in regard 10 these original
inhabitants of our soil. ...s.s
This il desired, with such guards and
provisions as, while securing the rights of
citizenship to such Red Men as may be
capable Of enjoying and exercising them,
will afford sufficient guarantee against
ahnse. 1t is believed that thereby no det-
| riment can occur to the interests of the
white men, while it will operate as astrong
| motive to elevate and civiIize the Indians,
and be Just acknowledgement Of syinpa
| thy with the improving lnlian and h,s
| benevolent, selI-sscriticing Instructors.
Frequent complaints are made hy cti-
zens on the trontiers, Of the presence Of
rowing Indians in the settlements, and OF
their depredations and annoy ances To SET,
| tiers and their families. II Is difficult, if
not impossible. to prevent parties Of ln-
dsns from straying of from their reserva-
tons TO roam aud hunt once more over .he
| woods and prairies so lately their iavorite
hunting grounds; ana their presence. at
times, shonid be expected by the hardy
pioneer until the march of civilization
has driven them far westward Indeed,
it is one Of the incoDveniences of the
border, to which the settler is presumed
voluntarily to choose 10 submit Tor a sea-
SOP, in consideration of the cheapness of
Government land, the long credit in pay
ment, and the ample field Of choice OF a
home there afforded.
The act of 1858, relating to Indians off
| their reservations without leave, provides
that such indians may be removed from
the settlements OF claims, belonging to
the white inhabitants, by any Sheriff
Constable, or other county or town off
Ger. The provisions Of the law have
seemed alike unknown to the citizens and
officers of some localities, and there is Il
degree of uncertainty in the terms of the
section alluded to, which perhaps,
prevented prompt action under it N other
instances 4 law distinctly clothing the
Sheriff with authority to require and en-
force the departure from the county of
such rowing bands, would doubtless give
him great moral power over these ignorant
people, who marvel at but do not untlcr-
stand the workings of organized civilized
government, sufficient without force being
actually employed to effect their removal.
The amount and mannel Of compensation
,oI such service Should Dc provided IL, -
secure the interest and prompt attention of
the proper officers.
The people in the southwestern border
counties experience the want ofan efficient
administration of criminal Justice Those
counties should be definitely attached TO
some convenient and more popuous cogn-
ty ior Judicial purposes.
The county Of Manomin occupies su
anomalous and profitless position. Contain
ing only total area Of only sixteen square
miles, less than half a township Of land,
it is unable to support the burden Of a
county organization. 1t seldom makes .
return of votes, has paid no State taxes
since its organization, returns no county
officers, and probably has none. II is cyi-
dent that the county never should have
been created, The territory now coin
prised in Manomin, should be annexed TO
one af the adjacent counties, and trust
you will provide for the annexation by such
means AS You shall find necessary.
The annual report of the Warden of the
State Prison exhibits the economical man
agenent of that Institution during the
past year, Notwithstanding the increasing
number of criminals.
From oversight no appropriation was
made for the salary of the Warden for the
year 1860; this, with a small balance for
clothing, bedding, &c, and for salaries of
guards, will require the appropriation of
one thousand, four hundred and ninety
two dollars, which should be made at an
carly day.
Ii r.