Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-12-06

thrust into the wilderness again. Many,
/ If not most all of our Indian
wars have had their origin
III broken promises and acts of injustice
on our part and the advancing of Indians
IN civilization has been slow. We can
not expect them to improve and follow
our guidance unless We keep faith with
them IN respecting the rights which they
possess; and unless, instead of depriv-
ing them of their opportunities, we lend
them helping hand. | cordially ap-
prove the policy regarding the manage
ment of Indian affairs outlined in re
ports of the secretary of the interior
and of the commissioners of Indian
affairs. The faithful performance of
our promises is the first condition of a
good understanding with the Indians. |
cannot too urgently recommend to
congress that prompt and liberal pro-
vision be made for the conscientious
fultillment of all agreements entered
into by the government with the Indian
tribes. To withhold the means neces-
sary for the performance of a promise,
is always false economy and is apt to
prove disastrous in its consequences.
| Especial care is recommended
to provide for the Indians settled
on their reservation, cattle and agricul-
tural implements to aid them III what
ever efforts they may make to support
themselves, and by the re-establishment
and maintenance of schools to bring
them under the control of civilized in
t1uences- l see no reason why Indians
who car. give satisfactory proof of hay
ing, by their own labor, supported their
| families for a number of wears, and
who are willing to detach themselves
from their tribal relations, should not
be admitted to the benefits of the home
stead act and the privileges of citizen
ship, and [ recommend the passage of
a law to that effect. 1t will be an act of
justice as well as a measure of en-
couragement. Earnest efforts are be-
ing made to purify the Indian service
so that every dollar appropriated by
congress shall rebound to the benefit of
the Indian benefited. The efforts will
have my firm support With an i'm
proved service, and every possible en-
enlargement held out to the Indians to
better their condition and to elevate
them in the scale of civilization, we
may hope to do at some time a good
work for them, and for ourselves.
| invite the attention of congress to the
importance of statements and sugges-
tons by the secretary of the interior.
THE TIMBER THEFTs
Concerning the depredations commit
ted upon timber lands of the United
States and the necessity for the pre-
&C - L L
the measures taken in pursuance of the
existing laws to arrest these depreda-
tions will be entirely successful
| if congress, by an appropriation
for that purpose, renders their
continued enforcement possible.
The experience of other nations
teaches us that country cannot be
stripped of its forests with impunity,
and we shall expose ourselves to the
gravest consequences unless the waste
full and improvident manner in which
the forests in the United States are de-
| stroyed be effectually checked. I
earnestly recommend that the measure
suggested by the secretary of the in
terror for the suppression of depreda-
tions on the public. timber lands of the
United States, for the selling of timber
| from the public lands, and for the pres
er9ation of forests, be embodied in law
and that, considering the urgent neces-
sity of enabling the people of certain
states and territories to purchase timber
from the public lands in legal man
ner, which at present they cannot do,
such law be passed without unavoida-
BILE delay.
THE WASTE PLACES.
would also call the attention of con-
gress to statement made by the sec
rotary of the interior concerning the
disposition that might be made of the
desert lands, not irrigable, west of the
Tooth meridian. These lands are
practically unstable, under the
existing laws, and the sug-
gestion is worthy of consideration,
that system of lease should make
them a source of profit to the United
States, while at the same time legaliz-
ing the business of cattle raising, which
is at present carried on upon them.
THE REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF
AGRICULTURE
contains the gratifying announcement
of the extraordinary success which has
rewarded the agricultural industry of
the country for the past year, with the
fair prices which obtain. To the pro-
ducts of: the soil, especially for the sur
plus which our people have to export,
we may confidently turn. This is the
most important of all our resources for
the rev wal of the depressed industries
of tho country The ranort shows orr
agricultural progress during the year,
and contains statement of the work
done by this department for the adj
,vancement of agricultural industry,
upon which the. prosperity of our peo-
pie so largely depends. Matters of in
formation are included of great interest
to all who seek, by the experience of
others, to improve their methods of
cultivation. As the efforts of the de-
partment increase, the production of
important articles of consumption will, |
it is hoped, improve the demand for la |
Dor and. advance the business of the |
country, and eventually result in saving
some of the many millions that are |
now, annually paid to- the foreign ma
tons for sugar and other staple pro-
ducts, which habitual use has made |
necessary in our every day life.
THE CENTENNIAL.
The board, OH behalf of the United
States executive departments, of the
exposition of 1876, mas
concluded its labors. The final report
of the board was transmitted to con-
gress, at the last session. As these pa
narS ara md arStoo6 To contain intaraSt