The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-01-14

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
hursed. am not now disposed to criticise
this authority over the ordinary State funds.
They are used in current expenses nearly
as fast as they come into the Treasury. and
this TACT is q great protection against abuse
OF the power. But the school fund is per-
manent fund, to he held and invested in
performance of the most sacred trust which
can be devolved upon us. 1t has hitherto
been invested in securities whose suf6ciency
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 patrilnony which wise legisla-
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 be permitted to remain a posi-
bility.
The constitution prescribes mode Of in
ves:ment of the proceeds resulting from the
sales Of the internal improvement lands,
which place them beyond the reach Of such
influences. / most earnestly recommend
I 49, l,~o< &c In
school fund
A hill proposing an amendment in this re-
spect to the constitution passed the House
| Of Representatives last winter, but was Sac
riiced in the Senate by the familiar exigen-
/ cies Of the last night of the session.
GRAssHoPPERs.
, The condition ofonr people in several ofthe
. Southwestern counties has been the subject
If earnest endeavor for its alienation. In
carrying out the measures which were adopt
ed have had the benefit of the counsel and
! assistance of Gen. II. II. 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
! fuller statement of the situation and of what
! will be needed is reserved for special COM
: munication, which it is my intention to ad
!. dress to you very soon after the organiza-
j, ton Of the Legislature has been effected.
= INDIAN AFFAIRS.
= have complied with the requirements OF
Z a concurrent resolution passed by the last
J. Legislature by which the Governor was re
q ouested to make inquiry into the condition
- OF the several bands of Chippewa Indians in
n this State, and to recommend such leglsla-
:, on as may he requisite or desirable for the
J., aid and encouragement Of these Indians in
a adopting the industries and habits of civil
N zation, with a view to their remaining as in
nabitants and ultimately becoming citizens
in of this State.
!. The importance Of this duty seemed to
,e demand the Offices q some person of expo
" rience with these people, cognizant OF their
Of views and wishes, and OF the history Of the
relations of the white people to them tor
many years The services of Mr.. Charles
~ Ruhee were fortunately secured, and he
~ was instructed to report to me
npSn1 ns after PERSONAL V'e inquiry and
al examination. lie has performed those du.
" ties most thoroughly as the report which he
II has made and which is herewith submitted
~ will attest
all 1t states with abundance of detail the pres
ent condition 81 these people, their grievances
-. and whist cau.es have produced these griev-
or ing the condition Of the Indians at White
X Earth, who have been the subjects Of real
eft and Intelligent attempts to bring them to the
or ways Of civilization, with the condition Of
the other hands who have been left merci-
8 lessly 70 he influence of those processes by
" which ther natures are RENTED to a deepe,
lis degradation and bArbarism.
J, mend kgisla&ion In the premises do not
sn understand that the State has any power te
ny leaislae upon this subject. by jndicia
70 decisiOns which have settled the question
a upon constitutional foundations, the Indians
NIB arc held TO be domestic. dependent nations
y. and TO thisconstruction apply several pro
ge vi1jons OF the Federal constitution which
an prshibit the 6tate from dealing with thes1
y nsfions It oil Minnesota cannot treat will
e. them. Congress has power TO "regulat.
,ls commerce . with the Indian tribes.
be Il is suggested in the report that If the Stat,
OF could be entrusted with the management 0
az the Indians many Of the evils which are 81
10 apparent and seemingly as remedies In tn
ne present system could he remedied. But th
e Institutional provision to which | have al
:. liuded equally forbids the delegation OF an,
q suoll power by the United States or its as
RR sumption by the State 1t was proposed
- many years ago to permit the State Of Cali
- S1e41a 10 assume such relations to the Indian
~ wftA'n ~ boundaries, but these objection
ssss n no tsi sup e. earnest enaeav.
'ise aow being made By the UniEea sss..s vii,
IN IN due tine. result in remedyinQ the mos
ai- obnoxious difficulties which tesef this ques
aty tim. The problem u complex apd unwield
: ., ard we mus await IL s0lutiOn by tho auth
ana 0 ty to which it has keen exclusively com
ner mited, rendering such ayistanse througl
our Representatives and Senators n Con
q gres as our experience anA their wisdor
- may suggest.
e Of E1TEssIoS LINES 81. PAUL AAD rAClTc.
ing In 1857 the United States granted 70 Mir
OF nesoA most munificent quantity 81 land
ton aid in the constitution Of railr0o0x. LID
endowment was increased in Ioo6. II
tute lines d these roads were prescribed in q
ises act itself with precedent knowledge Of =
emit destiny Of . country that was then almost
her wilderness. The system thus devised y
g to been completed with ian important exec
an ton. Taat exception y the line between
in Cloud ard st. Vincent and the line fro
the Watab t. Brainerd, in all about 366 mill
the few mics Of iron have been laid south
d of Brainerd toward Watab. The road has be
ems fully constructed for about thirty miles fro
ST. Cloud 70 Melrose, and the iron has be
ues- laid upon a segment of the line betwe
with towns iss and 1873, Of which there is no n
me ular operation. The whole like betwe
lily. Brainerd and WatAb is graded and ready
superstructure. The line between Melrose q
the the British line il graded except about 70
, nv miles In the summer Of 1879 the wcrb
l 4 1