The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-01-11
THE WEEKLY PIONEER AND DEMOCRAT

and Insane, which are at once the glory and
necessity OF our modern civilization. The
principal derived from the sales of the Swamp
Lands may very properly be devoted to these
objects, and to the erection of the new State
Prison, which few years more will make
necessary. A certain percentage of the pro-
ceeds might properly be distributed as road
fund to the Counties, in proportion to the
amount OF the fund received therefrem, and
a portion might go to the endowment of Nor
NAL Schools.
Inc University Lands should be placed
under the control of the Land Department.
There is no propriety in Investing the Re-
genus, as is now done, with functions so
foreign to their proper duties. The proceeds
OF these, and of the salt spring lands might
be united to from University Fund.
The five per cent. fund is usually added
IN other States to the School Fund, and the
example may we'll be followed here.
have felt it my duty to recommend the
general features Of a matured land system
at TINS time, not with view to pressing an
immediate sale of the lands, which am far
from advising, but because the great landed
interests OF the State require immediate
supervision 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 great part of the
intervening lime to make the necessary
survey, and TO collect and arrange the nees-
airy plats, descriptions and other details,
Several circumstances call for an imme-
date supervision of the State Lands,
l. The increasing depreciation upon
the State lands, their appropriation by
settlers and the spoliation of the timbered
land tracts should be averted, and this can
only be done effectually by the central
authority,
2. In the acts of congress authorizing
the State Government, it is provided that
when the school sections have been sold
or otherwise disposed of by the United
States, otheF lands equivalent thereto, and
as contiguous as may be, shall be granted
to the State. 1t is of considerable conse.
quence to ascertain as soon as possible, what
school lands have been appropriated and to
what amount of lands in lieu thereof the
State is entitled, as the progress of settle
ment is rapidly narrowing the range of
selection in desirable locations.
3. have already called your attention
to resurvey of the swamp Lands for the
purpose ofselectiOn.
These txigencies call for such a General
examination of the State lands, that it seems
desirable, to ensure efficiency and as matter
OF general ECONOMY, that the examination
should be complete in all typographical
details, and embrace all the preliminary
steps necessary to the eventual disposal of
the lands. 1t will not be necessary for these
purposes, nor until our land operators begin
to be self sustaining, to establish a separate
Land Department. but such functions of
a Land Commissioner as would be called
into exercise by present exigencies, may he
more economically entrusted to some of the
existing State Officers.
In the formation of the Constitution pro-
vision has been made for encouraging our
aboriginal population to attain the status
of civilized men. Previous to that time,
for almost quarter of century, individ-
uals, acting under the direction of benevo-
lent associations in our own land, had been
sowing the seeds of civilization which have
been springing up and ripening into fruit
The Government, also, within a few years
past, have directed their attention and
efforts, under the various treaties, to civil
izing and elevating the Red Men within
our State. The results are very gratifying.
Many among the DakOtas, and other tribes,
have adopted the habits and customs of
white people, and are very DESTROYS of being
recognized as men and citizens.
In our age of progress, with general
disposition on 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 time had fully come for the
passage of such a law by the Legislature,
as is needed to carry out the provisions of
the Constitution in regard to these original
inhabitants of our soil.
This is desired, with such guards and
provisions as, while securing the rights Of
citizenship to such Red Men as may be Ca
pable of enjoying and exercising them, will
afford sufficient guarantee against abuse.
1t is believed that thereby no detriment can
occur to the interests of the white men,
while it will operate as a strong motive to
elevate and civilize the Indians, and be a
Just acknowledgment of sympathy with the
improving Indian and his benevolent, self
sacrificing instructors.
Frequent complaints are made by citizens
on the frontiers, of the presence of rowing
Indians in the settlements, and of their
depredations and annoyance to settlers and
their families. 1t is difficult, if not impos.
sible, to prevent parties of Indians from
straying Off from their reservations to roam
and hunt once more over the woods and
prairies so lately their favorite hunting
grounds; and their presence, at times,
should be expected by the hardy pioneer
until the march of civilization has driven
them far westward. Indeed, it is one OF
the inconvenience of the border, to which
the settler is presumed voluntarily to
choose to submit for a season, in consldera-
ton of the cheapness of Government land,
the long credit in payment, and the am
pie field of choice OF home there at
fOrded.
The act of 1858, relating to Indians off
their reservations without leave, provides
that such Indians may be removed from
the settlements or claims belonging to the
white inhabitants, by any Sheriff, Consta-
BILE or other county or town officer: The
provisions of the law have seemed alike
unknown to the citizens and officers OF
some localities, and there is degree of un-
certainty in the terms of the section al
luded to, which, perhaps, prevented prompt
action under it in other instances. q law,
distinctly clothing the Sheriff with author
ity to require and enforce 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 understand the work.
ings of oroanized civilized government,