The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-12-16

toward the solution of the Indian problem, In pre-
pairing for the gradual merging OF our Indian popu-
laton In the great body Of American citizenship A
large increase IN reported In
THE DISPOSAL OF PUBLIC LANDS
for settlement during the past year, which marks
the prosperous growth OF our agricultural industry
our unoccupied lands As this movement
proceeds, the codihcation OF our land
laws, as well ~ proper legislation to {,
more pressing necessity, and therefore invite the
consideration Of congress to the report and the
accompanying draft Of u bill made by the public
lands commission which were communicated by
me tn congress ut tho last session. Early action
upon this important subject IL highly desirable
The attention Of congress- Is again asked to tho
wasefu depredations committed on our public
timber ands, and the rapid and indscriminate
DESTRUCTION OF OUR FORESTS.
The urgent necessity for legislation to this end Is
now generally recognized. In view OF the lawless
character Of the deprcdations committed, and the
disastrous consequences which will inevitably FOL
low their continuance, legislation has again and
ngain been recommended TO arrest the evil and to
preserve for the people Of our western States and
Territories the timber needed TOR domes-
tic and other essential uses. The report of tho
director OF tho geological survey IL u document
Of unusual interest The consolidation Of the vari
GUS geological and geographical surveys and ex-
ploring enterprises, each Of which has heretofore
| operated upon an independent plan, without con-
cert, cannot fail Ia be Of great benefit to those in
dustries Of tho country which depend upon the de-
velopment Of our mineral resources. The labors OF
the sclentlHc men WIN
compose the corps Of the geological sur
vey daring the first season OF their
field operations and inquiries appear to have been
very comprehensive, and will soon be commune
Gated To congress In number Of volumes. The d.
rector of the survey recommends that the investi-
cations carried on by his BUREAU which No tar have
been confined To the so-caed public land OF States
and Territories, be extended over the entire coun-
try, and that the necessary appropriation be made
for this purpose. This would be particularly bene-
fetal To the
Ypox ,o., .y, or,Ypy .r>,yyo ,x,rppporS
OF the Mississippi valley and OF the eastern ana
southern States. The subject IL commended TO the
careful consideration OF congress. The secretary OF
the interior asks attention to the want OF room In
public buildings OF the capital now existing,
and In progress OF construction, for the
accommodation Of the clerical force
compelled the renting Of private buildings in differ
ent parts Of the city for the location OF public Of
fices for which large amount OF rent il annually
paid, while the separation Of offices belonging to
the same department impedes the transaction OF
current business, The secretary suggests that the
blocks surrounding Lafayette square on the east,
north and west be purchased ~ the
SITES FOR NEW EDIFICEs
for the accommodation OF the government offices,
leaving the square intact, and that II such buildings
We're constructed upon harmonious plan OF archi-
| lecture, they would add much to the health
| Of the national capital, and would, with
the treasury aud the new state. navy and war de-
groups of public edfces in the world. The COM
missioner Of agriculture expresses the confident be-
lief that his efforts In behalf of the production OF
| OUR OWN SUGAR AND TEA
| have been encOuragingy recorded. The import
ance Of the results attained have attracted marked
| attention at home and have received the special
consideration pf foreign nations. The successful
cultivation of our own tea and the manufacture OF
| our own sugar would make difference of many
| millions Of dollars annually In the wealth Of
the nation. The report of the commissioner
| asks attention particularly to the continued
prevalence Of an infectious and contagious cattle
disease, known and dreaded in Europe and Asia as
| cattle plague or pleuro pneumonia Amid type OF
this disease, IN certain sections Of our country Is
| the occasion OF great loss 10 our farmers and Of
serious disturbance to trade with Great Britain,
| which furnishes o market for most of our live
cattle exported from the United States
| for the eight months ended August 81, ! $780, was
| more than Sl2,O0O,0O0, and nearly double the
value for the same period In lS79-an unexampled
increase OF export trade Your early attention Is
| solicited to this important matter. The commits
sioner OF education reports continued increase Of
| public Interest In
EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS.
and that the public schools generally throughout the
country are well sustained. Industrial training Is
attracting deserved attention, and colleges
| for instruction, theoretical and practical, In
agriculture and the mechanic arts, in
GLIDING the 4, government schools recently
gaining steadily in public estimation. The commits
sioner asks special attention to the depredations
committed on the lands reserved for the future
support OF public instruction and to the very great
| need II help from the nation for schools
| in the Territories and in the southern States.
| The recommendation heretofore made Is repeated
and urged-that an. educational fund DO set apart
| from the net proceeds Of the sales of tn" public
| lands annually. the income of which, and the re-
maler Of rhe net annual proceeds To be distributed
on some satisfactory plan to the States and Terri
tories, and the District Of Columbia The success
| Of public schools OF the District Of Columbia
and the progress made under the intelligent direc-
ton Of the board Of education and the snperintend-
ent, In supplying the educational requirements OF
the District with thoroughly trained and efficient
| time TO time donating public lands TO the
several States and Territories maid Of educational
interests have proved To be wise measures Of public
policies resulting In great aud lasting benefit II
| would be matter of simple justice to extend the
benefits Of this legislation, the wisdom of which has
been 50 fully indicated by experience. 10 the Dis
| trict of Columbia