Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-12-05

preparation should be made to that end, greater
reliance must be placed on humane and civiliz-
ing agencies for the ultimate solution Of what IS
CAL ed the Indian problem. 1t may be very diff
cult, and require much pstientefort TO curb the
uurpyy spirit o.. tie savage Indian 10 the re-
Jtat II is not impossible; many of the tribes
which are now quiet and orderly and selfsup
20 ting were once as savage as any that at pres
ent roam over the plains or in the mountains of
the far west, ana were then considered
inaccessible tn civiliZing influences.
it may be impossible to raise them fully up to the
level of the White population of the United States
but we should not forget that they are the abort
on which our people have grown rich, powerful
and happy: We owe it to them as moral duty to
lzatlqn WH!c they are able TO reach 1t is not only
our duty, il is also our interests to do Indians
feel interest in property will tencefnrth cease
TO be warlike and diSbnrmg clement. 1t is also
well authenticated fact that Indians apt to be
peaceable and quiet when their children at
school, and am gratified to know from the express
sions of Indians themselves and from many con
curing reports. that there is strongly increasing
desire even among Indians belonging to compara
invite attention to the reports OF the secretary of
fairs touching the experiment recently inaugu-
rated IN taking MY Indian &c children boys and
agricultural institution i'll Virginia, where they
are TO receive an elementary English education
ana training in agriculture and ther useful work,
to be returned to their tribes after the completed
1t is reported that the ofcer charged with the Sc
lection of these children might have had thousands
sible to make provision for them agree with
the secretary Of the interior in saying
iment, if favorable. may be destined to
b became an in peTtant factor in the advancement
Of civilization amOng the Indians. The question
of whether change in the control of Indian
service should be made was 1t the last session of
congress referred to committee for enquiry and
report. Without desiring TO anticipate that re-
port, venture 10 express the hope that in the
decision of so important question the views eX-
pressed above may not be lost sight of, and that
rther agitation OF this S subee T scn aaf aga0
being apt to produce Il disturbing effect of the
service as well as on the Indians themselves.
AN OMISSION.
In the enrolment of the bill making appropria-
onS for sundry civil expenses, at the last session
of congress, that portion which provided fer the
continuation of the Hot Springs commissioner
was omitted. as the commissioner had COM
planned of the work Of taking testimony on many
conflicting claims, suspension of the labors be-
fore determining the rights of claimants, threat
ened for time to emharrasS the interest, not on
ly of the government, but also Of a large number
of the citizens of Hot SPRINGS. who were wait
ing for final action on their claims before con-
templated Improvements. In order to prevent
serious difficulties which were apprenended and
at the solicitation OF many leading citizens
of Hot Springs, and others interested in
terror was authorized to request til tate commits
sioners to take charge of the records of their pro-
cecdingS and to perform such work as could prop
eriy be done by them under such circumstances to
facilitate the future adjudication OF the claims at
claimants until their rights should be finally
determined. The late commissioners complied
with that request and report that the testmoney IN
all eases has been Wri ten out. examined carefully
and SO arranged to facilitate an early settlement
requisite authority. be given at as early day in
the session possible and that a fair compenSa-
tion be allowed the late commissioners for the eX-
pense Incurred ana laDof performed py them
since 25th of June last.
TIMBER LANDS.
invite the attention OF congress to recommen-
regard to preservation of timber on the public
lands of the United States. The protection of
government. The department of the interior
should therefore be enabled by suhcient approprt-
aions 10 enforce toe laws in that respect but this
matter appears still more important as question
OF public economy. The rapid Destruction Of
our forests Is an evil irauGht with the graVeSt
consequences, especially in mountainous dis
tricts where the rocky slopes, once denuded of
their trees, will remain so forever. There the
injury once done, cannot be repaired fully
concur with the secretary of the interior in the
opinion that for this reason legislation touching
the public timber in the mountainous states and
territories of the west should be especially well
considered, and that existing laws in which the
destruction of forests is not sufficiently guarded
against, should be speedily modified. general
law concerning this important subject appears
to me to be matter of urgent public necessity.
AGRICULTURE.
From the organization OF the government, the
importance Of encouraging, by all possible
means, the increase of our agricultural prOduc-
tions, has been acknowledged and urged upon
the attention OF congress and the people as the
surest means of increasing our substantial and
enduring prosperity. The words of Washing On
are as applicable to day as when, in his eighth
animal message he said /" 1t is not to be
doubted that with reference either to individual
or national welfare, agriculture is Of primary i'm
portance,n In proportion as nations advance
in population and other circumstances OF ma
turity, this trnth becomes more apparent,
and renders the cultivation of the soil more and
more an object of public patronage. institutions
for promoting 1t grow up supported by the public
purse. and to what object can it be dedicated
with greater proprlety! Among the means whiclI
have Ueen employed to this end none have been
attended with greater success that the cStahlisht
meHt of boards composed Of proper characters.
charged with collecting and diffusins informa-
ton aud enabled by premiums and small pecuni-
airy aids to encourage and assist the spirit of dis
COvtry, and improvement in this
species of establishing and con-
tri0uting dOubly to the increase of i'm
provement by stimulating TO enterprise and ex-
pertinent, and by drawing TO a common centre
the eSults everywhere of individual skill and OBJ
servatlon, and spreading them thence over the
whole nation. Experience accordingly hath
shown that they are very cheap instruments OF
immense national benefit. The great preponder-
ance OF agriculture over any other interest enti.
ties it to all the consideration claimed for it by
Washington About one half of the population of
the United States is engaged in agriculture. The
value Of the agricultural products of the United
States for the year 1878 is estimated at So OO0,-
G00000 the exports ofagricultural products for the
year 1877 as appears from the report Ofthe bureau
of statistics 1924 CO., 60. The great extent of
our country with its diversity of sail and climate,
enables us to produce within our own borders and
by our own labor not only the necessareS but most
of the luXures that are consumed in civilized coun-
tries. Yet, notwithstanding advantages of SOIL
climate and water communication, it appears from
the statistical statements in the report of the
missioner of agriculture, that we import annually
from foreign lands many millions of dollars worth Of
products which could be raised in our own country
Numerous questions arise in the practice of advanced
agriculture, which can only be answered by eXper-
ments, often costly and sometimes fruitleSs, which
are beyond the means of private individuals and
a just and proper charge on the whole nation for
no pf he nfiD is GOOD 110lic
peCially in times Of depression and uncertainty of
other business pursuits with vast area of uncuti
waited and hence unproductve territory, wisely
opened to homestead settlement, to encourage by
every proper and Legitimate means the occupation
and tilage OF the soi Ehe efforts of the department.
of agriculture to stimulate old and to introduce new
crease the quantity of products;
10 determine The value of old or 10 establish the
importance Of new methods of culture are worthy
of your careful and favorable consideration and
assistance by such appropriation of money
and en- argement OF facilities as may seem to be
demanded by the present favorable conditions for
the growth and rapid development Of this i'm
portant interest
ANIMALS IN TRANSIT.
Ihe abuse of animals in transit is widely at
tracing public attention. natioaal convention
o. societies specially interestedin the subject has
!ecenty met at Baltimore, and facts developed,
both IN regard TO cruelties TO animals.
and the effect of such cruelties on the public
health that would seem TO demand the careful
consideration of congress. and the enactment OF
more efficient laws for the prevention of these
abuses.
EDUCATION,
The report of the commissioner of the bureau
OF education shows very gratifying progress
throughout the country in all the interests com
mItted to lis care. Of this important office the
report Is especially encouraging, with respect o
the extension of the advantages OF common
school systems in sections of country where the
general enjoyment of the privilege of free schools
is not yet attained. To education more than 10
any other agency we are to look as
the resource for the advancement Of
the people in the requisite knowledge
and application of their rights and responsible
tues as citizens and desire to repeat the sugges