Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1871-12-08

Sucn persons nave DCel FlOlaGlnE
the law. A full report Of what has
been done under this law will be
submitted to Congress by tho At
torney General.
UTAH AND PoLYGAMY.
In Utah there still remains a
remnant of barbarism repugnant to
civilization, decency and to the laws
of the United States. Territorial
officers, however, have been found
who are willing to perform their
duty in spirit Of equity and with
due sense of sustaining the majesty
Of the law. Neither polygamy nor
any other violation of existing stat
utes will he permitted within the
territory Of the United States. 1t is
not with the religion of the self
styled saints that we are now deal
ing, but their practices. They will
be protected in the worship Of God
according to the dictates of their
own consciences; but they will not
be permitted to violate the laws un-
der the cloak Of religion. 1t may
be advisable for Congress to con-
slider what, in the execution of the
laws against polygamy, is the status
of plural wives and their offspring.
The propriety of Congress passing
an enabling act authorizing the Ter
ritorial Legislature of Utah to legit-
imatize all children born prior to
a time fixed in the act, might be
justified by it's humanity to these
innocent children. This is q sug-
gestion only, and not a recommend
TIRE INDIAN POLICY.
The policy pursued toward the
Indians has resulted favorably, SO
far as can be judged from the limit
ed time during which it has been
in operation. Through the exer-
tions Of the various societies of
Christians to whom has been in
trusted the execution of the policy,
and the Board of Commissioners
authorized by the law Of April 10,
1869, many tribes Of Indians have
been induced to settle upon reser-
vations, to cultivate the soil, and
per orm productive labor of various
kinds, and to partially accept civil
ization. They are being cared for
in such a way, it is to be hoped, as
to induce those still pursuing their
old habits Of life, to embrace the
only opportunity which is left them
to avert determination. | recon-
mend liberal appropriation to
carry out the | dian Peace Policy,
not only because it is humane.
Christain-like aud economical, but
because it is right. | recommend
to your favorable consideration also.
the policy of granting Territorial
Government to Indians in the Indi-
an Territory west of Arkansas and
Missouri, and south of Kansas. In
doing so, every right guaranteed to
Indians by treaty should be secured
Such course might in time be the
means of collecting the most Of the
Indians now between the Missouri
and the Pacific, and south of the
British possessions, into one terri
tory or one State. The Secretary OF
the Interior has treated upon this
subject at length, and | recommend
to you his suggestion.
PUBLIC LANDs-DIsPosITION RECON-
MENDED.
l renew my recommendation that
public lands be regarded as a her
itage to our children, to be disposed
Of as required for occupation and to
actual settlers. Those already grant
ed have been in 4 great part dis
posed of in such a way as to secure
access to the balance by hardy set.
tiers who may wish to avail them.
selves of them, but caution should
be exercised even in allowing so de.
sirable an object. Educationa! in
terests may well be served by the
grant Of the proceeds of the sale Of
public lands to the settlers.
| do not want to be understood as
recommending in the least degree
at curtailmcnt of what is being
done by the general government fol
the encouragement Of education.
The report Of the Secretary Of the
Interior submitted with this will
give YOU the information collected
and prepared for publication, in re-
gard to the census taken during the
year 1870, also the operation Of the
Bureau of Education for the year.
the Patent Office, the Pension Office,
the Land Office and the Indian Blu
reau. The report of the
COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE
gives the operations of his depart
ment for the year. AS agriculture
is the groundwork of our prospect
ty, too much Importance cannot be
attached to the labors of this de-
partmcnt. 1t IS in the hands of an
able head, with able assistants, all
zealously devoted to Introducing
into the agricultural productions of
the nation all useful products adapt
ed to any Of the various climates
and soils of our vast territory, and
to giving all useful information as
to the cultivation of the plants.
cereals and other products adapted
to particular localities. Quietly but
surely the Agricultural Bureau is
working a great national good, and
if literally supported the more
widely its influence will be extend
ed and the less dependent we shall
be upon the products Of foreign
countries.
| COMPENSATION OF OFFICERS.
The subject of compensation to
the heads of Bureaus and officials
holding positions of responsibility,
and requiring ability and character
to fill properly, is one to which
your attention is invited. But few
of the officials receive compen-
sation equal to the respectable sup
port of a family, while their duties
are such as to involve millions of
dollars. In private life services
demand compensation equal to SER
vices rendered. A wise economy
woulJ dictate the same rulc in the