The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-12-05

ded and there 10 good ground Tor sup
posing that all such persons have vic
lated the law. A full report of wha
has been done under the law will b
submitted to Congress BY the Attorney
General.
TIE MORMON QUESTION.
In Utah there still remains a rem
nant of barbarism, repugnant to civil
zation and decency and the laws OF the
United States. Territorial officers, how
ever, have been found who are willing
to perform their duty in a spirit Of
equity and with due sense Of sustain
ing the majesty of the law. Neither
polygamy nor any other violation OIL
existing statutes will be permitted with
in the territory Of the United States. II
is not with the religion OF the selfstyled
Saints that We are now dealing, but with
their practices. They will be protected
in the worship of God according to the
dictates of their consciences, but they
will not be permitted to violate the
laws under the cloak OF religion. 1t
may be advisable for Congress to con-
slider what in the execution OF the laws
against polygamy is to be the status OF
plural wives and their offspring. The
propriety Of Congress passing an epa,
bling act authorizing the Territorial
Legislature of Utah to legitimatize all
born prior to a time fixed in the act,
might be justified by its humanity to
the innocent children. This is sug-
gestion only, and not a recommends
ton.
THE INDIAN POLICY.
The policy pursued toward the In
dams has resulted favorably so far as
can be Judged from the limited time
during which it has been in operation.
Through the exertion OF the various
societies Of Christians to whom has been
entrusted the execution OF the policy,
and the Board of Commissioners au,
thorized by the law of April, 1867,
many tribes OF Indians have been in
duced to settle on reservations, to cult
vate the soil, to perform productive
labor of various kinds and 20 partially
accept civilization. They are being
cared for in such a way that
it is hoped may induce those
still pursuing their old habits Of
life to embrace the only opportunity
which is left them to avoid extermina-
ton. l recommend liberal appropria-
tons to carry out the Indian peace
policy, not only because it is humane,
Christian-like and economical, but be-
cause it is right. I recommend to your
favorable consideration also the policy
OF granting territorial Government to
the Indians OF the Indian territory
west of Missouri and south of Kansas,
and in doing so every right guaranteed
to the Indians by treaty should be OBJ
served. Such course might be the
means Of collecting most of the Indians
now between the Missouri and the
Pacific, and south Of the British pos
sessions, into one territory, or one
State. The Secretary Of the Interior
has treated this subject at length, and
l recommend to you his suggestions.
THE PUBLIC LANDS.
renew my recommendation that the
public lands be regarded as heritage
to our children, to be disposed Of only
as required for the occupation of actual
settlers. Those already granted have
been in a great part disposed of in such
a way as to secure access to the balance
by the settler who may wish to avail
himself of them, but caution should be
exercised in attaining 80 desired an OBJ
ject. The educational interest may well
be served by the grant Of the proceeds
OF the sale of public land to settlers. ]
do not wish to be understood as recon-
mending in the least degree departure
from what is being done by the general
government for the encouragement Of
education.
THE CENSUS.
The report of the Secretary Of the
Interior submitted with this will give
you information collected and prepared
for publication in regard to the census
taken during the year 1870 The oper.
atoms Of the Bureau of Education for
the year, the Patent Office, Pension
Office, State Office and Interior Bureau
are submitted. The reports Of the Com
missioner of Agriculture gives the oper-
atoms Of his department for the year.
AS agriculture is the groundwork Of our
prosperity, too much importance cannot
be attached to the labors Of the depart.
ment. 1t is in the hands of an able
head with able assistants, all zealously
devoted to introducing into the agricul.
nral productions Of the nation all
useful productions adapted to = any
of the various climates and
soils Of our vast territory, and to giving
all useful information as to the methods
of cultivating the plants, cereals, and
OF other products adapted to particular
localities. Quietly, but surely, the
Agricultural Bureau is working
great material good, and if literally
supported, the more widely its influence
will be extended, and the less dependent
we shall be upon the products Of foreign
countries. The subject Of compensa.
tons to 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 these officials
receive a compensation equal to
the respectable support Of family,
while their duties are such as to involve
millions Of interest. In private life,
services demand compensation equal to
the services rendered; a wise economy
would dictate the same rule in the
Government service. | have not given
the estimates for the support Of the
Government for the ensuing year nor
comparative estimates between expen.
ditures for the year just passed and the
one just preceding, because the figures
are contained in the accompanying re-
ports or in those presented to Congress