Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1880-12-09

considers his own and his farnily's, as thou
sands of families are now living, and thou
sands desire to live; when he cultivates the
acres he has fenced by his own labor, and
enjoys the products of his agricultural
work, either by his own consumption or the
sale of the surplus; when he owns his plow
and his wagon, and uses the latter with his
ponies in freighting, by which he earns lib
eral wages; when he has COWS, and swine and
poultry ON his land, the care of which he
finds useful and profitable; when he can send
his children to school, and begins to hope
that they may become as civilized and pros
porous as the white people-he will soon
cease to think of leading the life of q nomad
and the thought of war will no longer have
any charm for him.
The report also enters into many inter-
esting details concerning the present condi-
ton of individual tribes. The case of the
Poncas receives minute attention. The in
justice done to them by their original re-
moval from their Dakota lands is also de-
scribed, but it is also clear to the secretary
that it would be contrary alike to their own
large to remove them from their present
home.
THE RAILROADS.
The secretary does not make any recon-
mendation of importance in regard to land
grant railroads, bu. recapit ulates his last an
nual report and states as a result of investi-
cation made by the government auditor that
this property is in good condition, that their
earnings have largely increased aud that al
though the rates both for freight and pas
sengers have been reduced it is believed
there will be with the filling up of the coun-
try remunerative business enough for
each one of them.
THE oKHALAMA SCHEME.
Attempts by evil disposed persons to in
wade Indian Territory, and take possession of
certain lnoccupied lands there, have so far
been successfully frustrated by the prompt
action of the government, but they have been
as persistently repeated. II is reported
that another attempt is in preparation now.
The military forces of the United STATES in
the Territory are instructed to arrest in-
truders and take proper measures to
bring them to justice, as they have
been before, but it is evident
that the penalty imposed upon repeated in
trusion of Indian Territory, which penalty
consists in mere fine and is difficult of en-
forcement, ia not sufficient to deter lawless
characters from such undertakings. con-
cur with the commissioner in recommending
that law be passed adding the penalty of
imprisonment to that of fine. If this is
done the invaders will know that such at
tempts are not without risks to them.
TIMBER DEPREDATIoNs.
Referring to the measures instituted by
the department to put a stop to depreda-
tions on public timber lands the secretary
reports they have been highly successful
during the past three years. upwards Of
$240, 1000 has been turned into the treasury
as result of keeping department special
agents in the field to detect and prosecute
wholesale timber trespassers; and the
illicit cutting and expectation
of timber from public lands
along onr coasts, which had grown to an
enormous yearly aggregate, has been almost
entirely arrested.
Thesecretary again urges upon the atten-
ton of Congress the great desirability OF
enacting laws to provide for the proper pre-
servation of our forests by preventing the
reckless waste which now attends the cut
ting of timber in many parts of the country
without restraint.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
Inc secretary recommends uDerA appfo-
priations for extension of the geological
survey all over the United States, and the
adoption by legislative enactment of Com
missioner Bentley's plan for taking evidence
in pension cases by oral examinations
throughout the country. He concurs with
Commissioner Marble in asking an increased
force of clerks and examiners for the patent
Office; recommends perfection of the public
land commission bill; indorses General
Walkers recommendations for authority to
secure prompt publication of census
reports by special contract, and in view of
the present and prospective need of addi-
tional accommodations for work of the in
terror department, postofice department
and other government Offices, now extern
slvely occupying rented grounds, he recon-
mends that four new COVE rnment buildings
of adequate size be erected on three blocks
surrounding Lafayette square, opposite
the executive mansion. The report also
contains among other matters not above in
dicated series of synopses of reports fur
nished under special instructions Of the de-
partment by the governors of various Terri
tories, setting forth their material resources
and their respective attractions for immi-
grants.