Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-12-10

. lndntldUlt lbT Il Ger iiil ltTlOu. III lDl- WAY
a costly Indian war las been avoided, which,
at one time, seemed imminent, and, for thu
first time in the history of the country, an
Indian nation has given up its tribal exist
cncc to be- settled in scveraty, and
to live rs individuals under the
common protection of the laws Of
the country. The conduct of the In.
dams throughout the country, during the
past year, with but few noteworthy eNcrp-
tons. has been orderly and peaceful. The
guerilla warfare carried ON for two years by
NictOIiO and his band of Southern Apachcs
has virtually come to an end by the death OF
that chief and most Of his followers, on Mex
lean soil. The disturbances caused on oui
northern frontier by Sitting Bull and his
men, who had taken refuge in the British
dominions, are also likely 10 cease. \ large
ma orlty of his followers have surrendered tC
our military forces, and the remainder are
apparently in progress of dsintcgration.
i concur with the Secretary Of the interior
in expressing the earnest hope that Congress
WILL at this session. l;,l.c favorable action on
the bill providing for the allotment of lands
on the different reservations in sevarlty to the
Indians, which patents comforting fcc-simplt
title inalienablc for certain period, and The
eventual disposition of the residue Of there's
ervatiOns for general settlement, with the
consent and for the benefit of the Indians
placing the latter under the equal protection
of the laws of the country. This measure
together with vigorous prosecution of oul
| educational efforts, will work the most i'm
portant and effective advance toward tn,
solution Of the Indian problem, in preparing
for the gradual merging of our Indian popula.
ton in the great body of American citizen
ship.
\ large increase is reported in the dispose
Of public lands for settlement during the
past year, which marks the prosperous
growth oi our agricultural industry, and Il
vigorous movement OF population toward ON
unoccupied lands. AS this movement pro
ceeds, the COdiiication of our land laws rs
well as proper legislation 10 regulate The
disposition of public lands, become of NOR,
pressing necessity, and | therefore invit,
the consideration of Congress 10 the report
and the accompanying draft of bill, made
10y the Public Land Commission, which
Were communicated by me TO Congress at
the last session. Early action upon this i'm
portant subject is highly desirable.
The attention OF Congress is again ask
ed to the wasteful dcpredations committed
on our public timber lands, and the rapit
and indscriminate destruction Of our forests
The urgent necessity for legislation TO thi:
end is now generally recognized. In view
of the lawlcss character Of the depreciation,
committed, and the disastrous consequences
which will invitably follow their conlinu-
ancc, legislation has again and again beer
recommended to arrest the evil, and 10 pre-
serve for the people of our Western State.
and Territories the timber needed for domcs
tic and other essential uses.
The report of the Director of the Gcologi-
cal Survey is a document of unusual inter
est. The consolidation of the variou,
geological and geographical surveys and en-
ploring enterprises each of which has here
tofore operated upon an Independent plan,
without, consent cannot fail TO he of great
benefit TO all those industries Of the
country which depend upon the ucvel
opmcnt Of our mineral resources. The
labors OF the scientific men, ofrccog
nizcd merit, who compose the corps
of the Geological Survey, during the first
season of their field operations and inquiries,
appear TO have been very comprehensive
and will soon he communicated to Congress
in a number of volumes. The Director OF
the Survey recommends that the invcstiga-
tions, carried on by his bureau, which, so far,
have been confined to the sO-calcd public
land States and Territories, he extended over
the entire country, and that the necessary
appropriation be made for this purpose.
This would he particularly beneficial to the
iron, coal, and other mining interests of the
Mississippi valley, and Of the Eastern and
Southern States. The subject is commended
TO the careful consideration of Congress
The Secretary Of the Interior asks a,tcn,
ton TO the want OF room in the pablic build
ings Of the capital, now existing and in pro
grcSs of construction, for the accOmmoda
ton of the clerical force employed, and OF
the public records. Necessity has compelled
the renting of private buildings in different
parts of the city for the location of public
offices, for which large amount Of rent is
annually paid. while the separation Of offices
belonging TO the same Department impedes
the transaction of current business. The
Secretary suggests that the blocks surround
ing Lafayette Square, on the east, north,
and west, he purchased as the sites for new
editices for the accommodation Of the Gov
ernment offices, leaving the square itself
intact ; and that, if such buildings were con.
structed upon 4 harmonious plan of architec-
ture, they would add much to the beauty OF
the national capital. and would, together
with the Treasury and the new State, Navy,
aud War-Drpartment building, form one OF
the most imposing groups of public edilice>
in the world.
THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE.
Expresses the confident belief that his
efforts in behalf of the production of GU,
own sugar and tea have been encouragingly
rewarded. The Importance of the results
attained have attracted marked attention al
home, and have received the special consld-
Grafton OF foreign nations. The successful
cultivation OF our own tea, and the manu-
iacture oil our own sugar, would make DIFF