The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-01-12
changed most materially, and as the

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
this tact is great protection against abuse.
OF the power. But the school fund is per-
manent fund, to be held and invested in
performance of the most sacred trust which
can be devolved upon u.s. 1t has hitherto
been invested in securities whose suf6ciency.
is beyond question. Bat there is low no
check upon the authority of the Legislature
By enactment it may be made lawful to.
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 it's subject,
should not be permitted to remain posi-
bility.
The 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.
GRAssHoPPERs.
The condition OF our people in several of the
Southwestern counties has been the subject
Ct 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. H. Il. 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 what
munication, which it is my intention to ad-
dress to you very soon after the organiza-
ton OF the Legislature has been effected.
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
I have complied with the requirements Of
a concurrent resolution passed by the last
Legislature by which the Governor was re-
quested to make inquiry into the condition
Of the several bands of Chippewa Indians in
+, this State, and to recommend such leglsla-
t on as may be requisite or desirable for the
aid and encouragement of these indians in
| adopting the industries and habits of civil
| cation, with view to their remaining as in
i,ahi rfo r,1fip al
| Of this State.
! The importance of this duty seemed to
demand the Offices of some person of expe-
rience with these people, cogRizant 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
was tHs nb to f caTsa to 1v me
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 whit causes have produced these griey-
anoes. 1t 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 noe
understand that the State has any power to.
decisions which have settled the question
upon constitutional foundations, the Indians
are held to Ike 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 CIRCULATE
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 remediless 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
tornia to assume such relations to the Indians
| within its boundaries, but these objections
| were found to be insuperable.
Ihave no doubt that the earnest endeavsr-
| now being made by the United States will,
| in due time, result in renedying the most
obnoxious difficulties which beset this qucs-
ton. The problem is complex and unwieldy
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.
EXTENSION LINES ST. PAUL AND PACIFIC.
In 1857 the United States granted to Min
nesota most munitcent quantity of land to-
aid in the construction Of railroads. This
endowment was increaseu in 1866. The
act itself with prescient knowledge of the.
destiny of a country that was then almost a
wilderness. The system thus devised has
been completed with an important excep-
ton. That exception is the line between St.
Cloud and St. Vincent and the line from