River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-12-04

tary force, the invasion was promptly checked.
1t Is my purpose to protect the rights OF the ln-
dian inhabitants of that territory to the full ex
tent OF the executive power. But II would be
unwise TO ignore the fact that territory SO large
aud so fertile. with a population 50 sparse and
with 50 great! o wealth OF unused resources VIII
be found more exposed to the repetition OF suca
attempts happened this year, when the sur
rounding states are more densely settled, and the
westward movement of our population looks still
more eagerly for fresh lands 10 occupy. Under
such circumstances the difficulty OF maintaining
the indian territory in It's present state viii great
y increase, and the Indian tribes inhabiting it
would do we'll to prepare for such a contingency.
!, therefore, fully approve Of the advice giyeu 10
them by the secretary OF the interior on recent
occasion, TO divide among themselves in several
ty as large quantity of their lands as they can
cultivate. 10 acquire individual ltle IN roe, ln-
stead OF their present tribal ownership in COM
mon, and to consider in what manner tue balance
of their lands may be disposed of by the govern
ment for tAeir benefit. BY adopting such policy
they woald more certainly secure FOR themselves
the value Of their possessions, and at the same
time promote their progress In civilization ard
prosperity, than by endeavoring 10 perpet nate
The present state of things in the territory
The question whethe nge in the control
OF the lhdian seTViee s4.It &c made, was in the
forty-ait congress refer joint committee
of both houses tor inqu}r and report. In my
last annual message / c& .lossed the hope that
the decision of That qge-t uu. then in prospect
would arrest further aptntiOn of this subject
such agitation being apt 10 t0duce disturbing
effect uIon the service ae ell the Indians
themselves" Since thVu committee having
reported, the question NA Hecu decided in the
negative by vote IN Sos uouse OF representa-
tiYes.
For the reasons hese stated and in view of the
fact that further nncertalIty this point viii be
calculated to oOstruct oaher nnch-needed legis-
lation, TO weaken tie discipline of the service,
and 10 unsettle salutaTy measures now in pro-
the Indians, l respectfully recommend That the
decision arrived by congress at its last session
be permitted to stand.
TIMBER TRxsSAssEs.
The efforts made by the department of the in
terror TO arrest the depredations on the timber
lands of the United States have been continued,
and have met with considerable success. large
number OF cases of trespass have been pros
&c uted in the courts Of the United States; others
have been settled the traspasscrs Offering to make
payment TO tina government for the value OF the
timber taken by them. The proceeds OF these
prosecutions and settlements turned into the
treasury. far exceed in amount the sums apprO-
priated by congrass for this purpose. more inn
portant result, however, consists in the fact that
the destruction of our public forests by depreda-
ton, although such cases stll occur, has been
greatly reduced in extent, and ii is probable that
if the present policy is vigorously pursued and
sufficient provision to that end is made by con-
gress, such trcspasses, at least those on a large
scale, can be entirely suppressed, except in the
territories where timber for the daily require
ments of the population cannot, under the pres
ent state of the law, be otherwise obtained.
therefore earnestly invite the attention Of con-
gress TO the recommendation made by the Secre-
iary of the Interior, that law be enacted enab-
ling the government to sell timber from the pub
lie lands without conveying the fee, where such
lands are principally valuable for the timber
thereon such sales to be SO regulated to con-
form to domestic wants and cuisines require
ments, while at the same time guarding against
sweeping destruction of the forests The enact
ment of such law appears TO become a more
pressing necessity every day.
AGRICULTURE.
My recommendations in former messages are
renewed in favor of charging the facilities of the
department of agriculture. Agriculture is the
laaf iptpr fbn mr. iefr
our people. II is to the abundance of agricul-
tural production, compared with our home
consumption, and the largely increased and
highly profitable market abroad which we have
enjoyed in recent years, that we are mainly in
depted for our present prosperity as people. We
must look for its continued maintenance 10 the
same substantial resource There IS no branch
of industry in which labor, directed by scientific
knowledge yields such increased production in
comparison with uuskilled labor, and no branch
of the public service to which the encouragement
of liberal appropriations can be more appropri-
ately extended. The omission TO render such
aid is not wise economy; but on the contrary,
undoubtedly results in LOSSES of immense sums
annually that might be saved through wel-direct-
ed efforts OF the government 10 promote this
vital interest.
The results already accomplished with the very
limited means heretofore placed at the command
of the department OF agriculture is an earnest OF
what may be expected with increased appropria-
tons for the several purposes indicated in the re-
port of tho commissioner, with view TO placing
the department upon footing which Will enable
1t to prosec ute more effectively the objects for
which II is established
Appropriations are needed Tor more complete
labratory for the establishment OF veterinary
DIVISION and division OF forestry, and for in
crease of force.
The requirements for these and other purposes,
Indicated in the report of the commissioner un-
der the head of the immediate necessities OF the
department. will not involve any expenditure of
money that the country cahnot with propriety
now undertake In the interests OF agriculture.
EDUCATION.
II ia uratfCyfuo IN learn from hnraau of cd
cation the extent to which educational privileges
throughout the United States have been advanced
during the year. No more fundamental re-
sponsibiity rests upon congress than that of
devising appropriate measures of financial
aid 10 education, supplemental 10 local action in
the states and territories and in the District Of
Columbia The wise forethought of the founders,
OF government has not only furnished the
basis for the support of the common school sys-
TENS Of the newer states but laid the foundations
for the maintenance of their universities and col
leges of agriculture and mechanic arts. Meas
ures in accordance with this traditional policy for
the further benefit of all these interests and the
extension Of the same advantages TO every por-
ton of the country it is hoped, will receive your
favorable consideration.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
To preserve and perpetuate the national litera-
tire should be among the foremost cares of the
national Legislature. The library gathered at the
capitol still remains unprovided witt ny suitable
accommodations for its rapidly incre. ing stores.
The magnitude and importance of the collection,
increased as it is by the deposits made under the
law of copyright, by domestic and foreign ex-
changes, and by the scientific library OF tho
Smithsonian Institution, call for building accom-
modatons which shall be at once adequate and
fre-proof The location of such pr bic build
ing, which should provide for the pressing neces-
stiles of the present and for the vast increase of
the nations books in the future, is matter which
addresses itself 70 the discretion of congress. 1t
is earnestly recommended as a measure which
should unite all sufrages, and which should no
longer be delayed.
wAsHIsGToE MONUMENT.
The Joint commission created by the act of
gress of August = 1876, for the purpose Of super
vising and directing the completion of the wash
ingt0n national monument, OF which commission
the president is member, has given careful at