The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1875-01-15

~ SAA0 OsAsS0s0 y AVA tkA0 OF
Hi own jrunishment 81 nleadino
guilty, or to.nndergo the dreadful riak 81
taking his trial before : jury whose action
regarding his own life he cannot lbraoa 6 -
lrrespec6vesof these defc4s in this statute
aoditsf inequitable tendencies, there arises
under It question Of 6r greater moment
It fs for the Legislature to consider whether
the guarantees which the law now affords to
human life are sufficiently absolute. Il can-4
not be denied that homlcldal crime has I'M
creased to = degree which has caused the
law tor its punishment to he subject TO the
severest popular criticism. It, is asked Of
what value Ii law which no person seems
You will doubtless consider these oues-
tons Of public justice and public safety With
Z hearty disposition to, make Justice some
thing more than name and safety reality.
., - TIE SCHOOL FUND. =. is,s~,..
desire to present in explicit form the
considerations v hich led me to advise in INV
last message the submission to the people Of
q constitutional amendment which will
place entirely beyond the power of the Leg
lslature or OF any officer Of the Executive
Department, the school fund, now actually
SO great and which is destined to assume
proportions which will surely tempt cupid
lty to prof1igacy in its management.
The condition in which this fund now is,
ID as follows: Up to 1874 our constitution
was such that by the express terms OF that
instrument 1t was made an act Of embezzle-
ment TO deposit any Of the State or school
funds In banks. At the election in the year
1873, this portion of the constitution was
changed most materially, and as the
organic law now is, the Legisla-
ture has the undoubted power to prescribe
by law in what manner the State and school
funds may be kept, transferred and dis
bursed. am not now disposed to criticise
this authority over the ordinary State funds.
They are used in current expenses nearly
~ fast as they come into the Treasury. and
this tact is great protection against abuse
Of the power. Butthe school fund is per-
manent fund, to be held and invested in
performance of the most sacred trust which
can be devolved npon u.s. 1t has hitherto
is beyond question. But there is now no
check upon the authority Of the Legislature
over it.
BY enactment it may be made lawful to
loan it to individuals, to banks, to school
districts. or to invest it in securities by
which it ought not to be imperiled. In
other states where similar authority
has existed, these funds have been made
the prey to legislative rapine, melted by
corrupt combinations organized expressly
and successfully for their spoliation. The
consequence has been to disinherit the chill
dren Of the patrimony which wise legisia-
ton attempted to entail upon them.
There is no reason to hope that the time
may never come when this State will not re-
peat these warning acts of history. The
possession of power surely brings its abuse
Sometime, and an abuse such as this. which
implies irretrievable ruin to its subject,
should not he permitted to remain a possi-
bility.
Tie constitution prescribes mode Of in
vestment of the proceeds resulting from the
sales Of the internal improvement lands,
which place them beyond the reach of such
influences l most earnestly recommend
the adoption of similar provision as to the
school fund
A bill proposing an amendment in this re-
spect to the constitution passed the House
Of Representatives last winter, but was sac
rifced in the Senate by the familiar exigen-
cies of the last night Of the session.
GRAssHoPPBRs.
The condition ofour people in several Of the
Southwestern counties has been the subject
cf earnest endeav0r for its alienation. In
carrying out the measures which were adopt
ed have had the benefit of the counsel and
assistance Of Gen. H. H. Sibley, whose ex-
ertions in this behalf take this opportunity
of most gratefully acknowledging. The rail-
road companies have acted with great lib
erality. You will find it necessary to aid
these districts by liberal appropriations. A
fuller statement of the situation and of THAT
will be needed is reserved for special com
munication, which it is my intention to ad-
dress to yeu very soon after the organizes
ton Of the Legislature has been effected.
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
have complied with the requirements OF
concurrent resolution passed by the last
Legislature by which the Governor was re
OF the several bands OF Chippewa Indians in
this State, and to recommend such leglsla-
ION as may he requisite or desirable for the
aid and encouragement Of these indians in
adopting the industries and habits of civili-
zation, with view to their remaining as in
habitants and ultimately becoming citizens
Of this State.
The importance of this duty seemed to
demand the offices Of some person Of expe-
rience with these people, coynizant Of their
views and wishes, and OF the history Of the
relations of the white people to them tor
many years. The services of Mr.. Charles
Rutfee were fortunately secured, and he
NkSOAA VIC ouUJCCt COtNkVO Wy kOC
resolution after personal inquiry and
examination. He has performed those du-
ties most thoroughly as the report which he
has made and which is herewith submitted
will attest
It states with abundance of detail the pres-
ent condition ofthese people, their grievances
and what causes have produced these griev.
anoes. It indicates the remedy by contrast
ing the condition OF the Indians at White
Earth, who have been the subjects Of real
and intelligent attempts to bring them to the
ways of civilization, with the condition of
the other bands who have been left merci-
lessly to the influence of those processes by
which their natures are RENTED to deeper
degradation and barbarism
am required by the resolution to recon-
mend legislation in the premises do not
understand that the State has any power to
legislate upon this subject BY judicial
decisions which have settled the question
upon constitutional foundations, the Indians
are held to I've domestic, dependent nations.
and to this construction apply several pro-
visions of the Federal constitution which
prohibit the State from dealing with these
nations at all. Minnesota cannot treat with
them. Congress has power to ''regulate
commerce with the Indian tribes"
It is suggested in the report that if the State
could be entrusted with the management of
the Indians many Of the evils which are so
apparent and seemingly as remedies in the
present system could be remedied. But the
G, Institutional provision to which have al
luded equally forbids the delegation Of any
such power by the United States or its as
sumption by the State. 1t was proposed
many years ago to permit the State of Cali
f0rnia to assume such relations to the Indians
within its boundaries, but these objections
were found to be insuperable
have no doubt that the earnest endeaver
now being made by the United States will,
in due time, result in e 1edying the most
ton. The problem is complex and unwfeldy
and we must await its solution by the auth
ity to which it has been exclusively com-
mitted, rendering such assistance through
our Representatives and Senators in Con-
gress As our experience and their wisdom
may suggest
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