The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1880-12-25

ponies in freigh,ing, by which he earns liberal
wages; when he has cows ana swine and p0ul
try on his land, the care Of which he finds use
full and profitable: when he can send his chill
dren to school, and begins to hope that they
may become IS civilized and prosperous Us
white people, then he will soon cease to think
of leading the life of nonad, and the though,
Of war will no longer have any charm fol
him."
The report also enters into many interesting
details concerning the present condition of
individual tribes. The case of the Vonca> re.
ceivcs minute attention. The injustice done
them BY their original removal from their
Dakota lands Is fully described, but it i also
clear to the Secretary that it would be con.
trary alike to their own interests af,! to tn pso
OF the country at large to remove them from,
their present homes.
ATTEMPTS by cvil-disposcd persons 10 IN
wade the Indian Territory, and to take posses,
sion Of certain unoccupied lands there. nave
so Tar been successfully frustrated ly the
prompt action OF the Government, but they
have been as persistentiy repeated. 1t is re.
ported that another attempt is in preparation
now. The military forces Of the United States
in the Territory are instructed to arrest in.
| truders, and to take proper measures to bring
| them to justice, Us they have done here.
tOfOrc. But 1t is evident that the penal
ty imposed upon repeated intrusion into the
Indian Territory, which penalty consists in i.
mere fine. and is difficult of enforcement. IL
not sufficient to deter iawlcss characters from
such undertakings. concur with the Com.
missioner in recommending that law he
passed adding penalty OF imprisonment to
that Of fine. Ii this is done invaders will
know that such attempts are not without seri.
Gus risks to them"
Referring to the measures instituted by the
department to put stop to depredati ms on
pubic timber lands, the Secretary reports they
have been highly successful. During the past
three Years upwards OF $4,000 have been
turned into the Treasury as the result OF keep
ing the Departments special agents in the field
to defend and prosecute wholesale timber tres
passers. and the illicit cutting and expectation
of timber from the pubic lands along our
coasts, which had grown to an enormous
yearly aggregate, has been almost entirely ar
rested
The Secretary again urges upon the attcn.
ton OF congress the great desirability OF en-
acting laws to provide for the proper preser-
walton Of our forests by preventing the
reckless waste which now attends the cut; ing
OF timber In many parts Of the country with
out restraint.
The Secretary recommends liberal appro-
priatlOnS for extension OF the geological survey
all over the United States and the adoption by
Legislative enactment OF Commissioner Gent-
ly's plan for taking evidence in pension case.
by oral examinations throughout the country:
c0Henrs with Commissioner Marble in asking
an increased force OF clerks and examiners
for the Patent Office; recommends early action
upon the Public Land Commissions bill; in
dorses General Walkers recommendation for
authority to secure prompt Publication of
census reports by special contract. and in
view Of the present and prospective need
OF additional accommodations for the work of
the Interior Department. POst.Offce Depart.
mcnt and other Government offices now eX.
tcnsively occupying rented quarters, he req
ODlInends that four new Government build
ings of adequate size be erected Oh three
blocks surrounding Lafayette Square. o2po-
site the Executive Mansion.
The report also contains, among other mat.
tiers not above indicated, series OF synopscs
of reports furnished under special instructions
Of the Department by the Governors of the
various Territories, setting forth their material
resources, and their respective attractions for
immigrants.