The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-12-04

i sss d
with Indian tribes. To withhold the
means necessary for the performance of
d promise is always false economy and
is apt to prove disastrous in its conse-
ouences. Especial care is recommended
to provide for Indians settled on their
reservations eattle and agricultural
implements to aid them in whatever
efforts they may make to support them
selves and by the fe-establlshment and
maintenance of schools to bring them
under the control of civilized influence.
T see no reason why Indians who can
give satisfactory proof OF having by
their own labor supported their famllies
for number of years and who are Will
ling to detach themselves from their
tribal relations should not be admitted
to the benefits of the homestead act and
the privileges of citizenship. and rec
ommend the passage of a law to that
effect. It will be an act of justice as
well as a measure of encouragement.
Earnest efforts are being made TO purify
the Indian service SO that every dollar
appropriated by Congress shall rebound
to the benefit of the Indians. These
efforts will have my firm support. With
an improved service and every possible
encouragement held out to the Indians
to better their condition and to elevate
themselves in the scale of civilization,
we may hope to do at the same time a
good work for them and for ourselves.
1 invite the attention of Congress to the
importance of the statements and sug-
gestions by the Secretary of the In
terror concerning the depredations com
mitted on the
TIMBER LANDS
of the United States and the necessity
for the preservation of forests. 1t is be-
lieyed that the measures taken in pur-
suance of existing law to arrest these
depredations, win be entirely successful
II Congress, by an appropriation for that
purpose, render their continued i'm
provement possible. The experience
of other nations teaches us that coun-
try cannot be stripped of its forests
without impunity, and we shall expose
ourselves to the grayest consequences
unless the wasteful and improvident
manner in which the forests in the
United States are DESTROYED be effect
ually checked. [ earnestly recommend
that the measures suggested by the Sec
rotary of the Interior for the suppress
sion of depredations on the public tim
Der lands of the United States, for the
selling of timber from the public lands
and for the preservation of forests, be
embodied in law, and that considering
the urgent necessity of enabling the
people of certain States and Territorie.
to purchase timber from the publ,
lands in legal manner, which at pres.
ent they cannot do, such law he passed
without unavoidable delay. | wonld
also call the attention of Congress to
statements made by the Secretary o.
the Interior concerning the disposition
that might be made Of the desert lands
not irrigated. west of the Tooth merid
ian. These lands are practically unsafe
able under existing laws, and the sug
gestion is worthy of consideration. thai
a system of lease hold tenure would
make them source of profit TO the
United States, while at the same time
fegalizing the business of cattle raising
which is at present carried on upon
them.
The report of the
CoMAIIssI OF AGRICULTURR
contains the gratifying OF
the extraordinary success which has re-
warded the agricultural industry of the
country for the past year. With the
fair prices which we obtain for the pro.
ducts of the soil, especially fer the sur
plus which our people have to export,
We may confidently turn to this as the
most important of all our resources fol-
the revival of the depressed industries
of the country. The report shows our
agriculture progress dnring the year and
contains statement of the work done
by this department for the advancement
of agricultural industry, upon which the
prosperity of our people so largely de-
ponds. Matters of information are in.
claded of great interest to all who seek
by the experience of others to improve
their own methods of cultivation. The
efforts of the department to increase the
production of important articles of con,
sumption will, it is hoped, improve the
demand for labor and advance the bust
ness OF the country and eventually re
suit III saving some of the many mil
hons that are now annually paid Il
foreign nations for sugar and othe-
staple products, which habitual use has
made necessary IN our domestic every
day life. The Board, on behalf of til,
United States Executive Department, a
the international Exposition of 1876
has concluded its labors. The final re
port OF the Board was transmitted Il
Congress at the last session. As thes,
+ papers are understood to contain inte,
esting and valuable information AM
! will constitute the only report emanat
, ing from the government on the subiec
of the exhibition / inyite attention t,
! the matter and recommend that the re
{ port be published for general informa
/, ton.
Congress Is empowered by the consti
tuition with the authority of exclnsiy
legislation over the
) DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
in which the seat of government of tn
nation IS located. The interests of tn
District having no direct representation
! IN Congress, are entitled to espeeia
consideration and care at the hands 0
the general government The CAPITA
of the United States belongs to tn
nation and it is natural that the Amer
can people should take pride in the sea
OF their national government and desir
1t to be an ornament to the country
Much has been done to render it health
full, convenient and attractive. but nucl