Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-12-03

made, was, at the last session OF Con
eress. referred 10 committee Tor 10
quiry and report. Without desiring to an
ticipate that report l venture to express
the hope that in the decision OF SO I'M
portant a question, the views expressed
above may not be lost sight Of, and that
the decision, whatever it msy be, Will
arrest further agitation Of this subleot;
such agitation being apt to produce
disturbing effect upon the service as
well as on the Indians themselves.
THE HOT SPRINGS COMMISSIONS.
In the enrolment OF the bill making
appropriations for sundry civil expenses,
at the last session OF Congress, inst
portion which provided ior the contln-
uation OF the Hot Springs commission
was omitted. As the commission hsd
completed the work of taking testimo-
ny on the many conflicting claims, the
suspension Of their labors, before deter
mining the rights Of claimants, thrsa.-
ened, for a time, 10 embarrass the inter-
ests, not only OF the government, but
also Of large number Of ;Ee citizens OF
Hot Springs, who are waiting for hnA
action on their claims before beginning
| contemplated Improvements. In order
10 prevent serious difficulties, which
were apprehended, and at the soiiclts-
ton Of many leading ci;izeus of Hoi
Springs, aud others Interested IL
the welfare Of the town, the secretary Of
the interior was authorized TO request the
late commissioners to take charge Of the
records of their proceedings, and 10
perform such work as could properly be
done by them under such circumstances,
to facilitate the future adjudication Of
the claims at an early day, aud 20 pro-
serve tho status Of the claimants until
their rights should be finally determin-
ed. The late commissioners complied
with that request, and report that the
/ testimony, in all the cases bas been
written out, examined, brefed snd SO
arranged as to facilitate al early settle
ment when authorized by law. Il u
recommended that the requisite author,
I ity be given at as early day IN The
session as possible, and that Q fair com
pensation be allowed the late oommiA
sioners for the expense incurred and ths
labor performed Oy them since the S5l
OF June last.
TIMBER or PUBLIC LANDS.
I invite tue attention OF Congress 70
/ the recommendations made by the sec
rotary OF the interior with regard 20 the
pre- eryation Of the timber on the public
lands Of the United States. The pro
lection OF the public property is one oil
the first duties of the government The
/ DEPARTMENT of the interior should, there
fore, lie enabled by sufficient appropHs-
| tons, to enforce the laws IN that respect.
| But thus matter appears sau more I'M
portaut as question Of public economy.
/ The rapid destruction oil our forests Is
an evil fraught with the yravest conse-
quences, especially in the mountalno us
districts, where the rocky slopes, once de-
nuded OF their trees, will remain 20 for
ever. There the injury, once done, cannot
/ be repaired. fully concur with the sec
/ retsrv Of the interior III the opinion
/ that. for this reason, legislation touch
/ ing the public timber in the mountain
ous States aud Territories Of the West
should be especially wei! considered
and that existing laws, in which the de-
str1ction OF the forests is not sufficient
/ " guarded against, should be speedily
/ modified. a general law concerning
this important subject appears 70 me
TO be mls.er OF urgent public necSs-
sity
AGRICULTURE,
From the organization OF the gov
eminent, the importance OF ereour-
aging, by al possible means, the
increase Of orr agricultural pToduc-
tons hss been acknowledged end
urged upon the attention OF C.l-
gress and the people rs the sures5 a1i
readiest means Of increasing our sab
stantial anu enduring prosperity.
The WORDS Of Washington are as sp-
plicsGle to.dsy as when, in his eighth
annual message, he ;aid: D." 1t Is not e.
be doubted that with reference either q
individual or national welfare, agrlcul
ture 10 of primary importance. Ia pro
portion az nations advance IN populR)
ton and other circumstances OF matur
itv, this truth becomes more apparent,
and renders the cultivation Of the soil
more aud more an object Of public pa
tronage. Institutions for promoting II
grow up. supported by the public purst
aud TO what object can it be dedicated
with greater propriety? Among the
means which have been employed te
this end, none have been attended viii
greater success than the establishment
OF boards composed of proper characters
charged with collecting and diffus!ns
information. and enabled by premium
and small pecuniary aids 10 encourage
and assist the spirit Of discovery snd
Improvement; this species OF establish
ment contributing doubly to the mcreass
Of improvement by stimulating 10 en-
terprlse and experiment, anu W drawing
TO a common center the results every
where OF individual skill and ohserva
ton. and spreading them thence eve
the whole nation. Experience accord
inply hath shown that they are very
! cheap instruments OF immense ua'pna
benefit"
The great preponderance Of tue aRr.'
cultural, over any other interest IL the
United States, entities it to all tue con
sideration claimed for it By Washington.
About one-half the population OF the
United States is engaged in agriculture.
The value of the agricultural product.
of the United States for the year 1878
is estimated at three thousand millions
Of dollars. The exports Of agricultural
products for the year 1877, rs appears
from the bureau Of statistics. we're i've
hundred and twenty-four millions OF dol.
lars. The great extent OF our country,
with It's diversity Of soil and climate.
enables US to produce within ouI
own borders, and by our own labor,
not only the necessities but most %
the lu1Hries that are consumed in civil,
izel countries. Yet, notwithstanding
cur advantages Of soil, climate and in.
l.. q