Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1880-12-15
but few noteworthy exceptions, has
been orderly and naacafnl Tha e,,errilla

and the remainder are apparently in progress
Of disintegration.
Iccncur With the Secretary Of the Interio,
in expressing the earnest hope that Congress
the I'LL providing for the allotment of lands
on the different reservations in severalty to
the Indians, with patents comforting fee
simple title inalienable for certain period.
and the eventual disposition Of tn, residue OF
the reservations, for general settlement, with
dams, placing the latter under the equal
protection of the laws of the country. This
measure, together with vigorous prosecution
OF our educational efforts, will work the most
important and effective advance toward q sol,l-
ton of the Indian problem in preparing FIR tn
gradual merging Of our Indian population in
the great body of American citizenship.
A large increase is reported in the disposal Of
public lands for settlement during tho past
year, which marks the prosperous growth OF
our agricultural industry, and q vigorous move
ment OF population toward our unocoupied
lands. As this movement proceeds the codih-
cation of our land laws, as we'll as proper legis-
Iatlen to regulate the disposition Of public
lands, becomes OF more pressing necessity, and
therefore invite the consideration of Congress
to the report and the accompanying draft Of 4
bill, made by the Public Lands 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 ia again asked to
the wasteful depredations committed on our
public timber-lands, and the rapid and indis-
criminate destruction of our forests. The ur.
gent necessity for legislation to this end is now
generally recognized. In view of tho lawlesa
character Of the depredations committed, and
the disastrous consequences which will inevita-
bly, follow their continuance, legislation has
again and again been recommended to arrest
th0 nH>S1ny md 10 e. H.
Western States and Territories the timber need
ed for domestic and other essential uses.
The report Of the Director of the Geologi-
cal Survey is document of unusual interest.
The consolidation of the various geological
and geographical surveys and exploring en-
terprises, each Of which has heretofore oper-
ated upon an independent plan, without con-
cert, cannot fail to be OF great benefit to
all those industries Of the country which de-
pend upon the development OF our min
eral resources. The labors of tho scien-
tlfc men, of recognized merit, who COM
pose 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
be communicated to Congress in number of
volumes. The Director Of the Survey recon-
mends that the Investigations carried on by his
bureau, which, 80 far, have been confined to
the so-called public-land States and Terri
tories, be extended over the entire country, and
that the necessary appropriation be made for
this purpose. This would be particularly bene-
fetal to the iron, coal and other mining inter.
ests of the Mississippi valley, and of the East
ern and Southern States. The subject is COM
mended to the careful consideration Of Con-
gross.
The Secretary Of the Interior asks attention
to the want OF room in the public buildings of
the capital, now existing and in progress Of
construction, for the accommodation 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
ton OF current business. The Secre-
tary suggests that the blocks surround
ing Lafayette Square, Oh the east, north, and
west, be purchased as the sites for new edifices.
for the accommodation Of the Government of.
fees, leaving the square itself intact; and that,
monious plan Of architecture, they would add
much to tho beauty Of the national capital, and
would, together with the treasury and the new
State, Navy, and War Department building, form
one of the most imposing groups of public edi.
fees in the world.
The Commissioner OF Agriculture expresses
the confident belief that his efforts in behalf of
been encouragingly rewarded. The Importance
of the results attained have attracted marked
attention at home, and have received the special
consideration of foreign nations. The successful
cultivation OF our owntea, 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 atten-
ton particularly to the continued prevalence
OF an infectious and contagious cattlc-disease,
known and dreaded in Europe and Asia az
cattle plague. or pleuro-pneumonia. A mild
type OF this disease, i'll certain sections OF
our country, is the occasion Of great loss to
our farmers, and Of serious disturbance to
our trade with Great Britain, which
furnishes market for most of our livestock
and dressed meats. The value of neat-cattle
exported from the United States for the eight
months ended Aug. 81, 1880, was more than
twelve million dollars, and nearly double tho
value for the same period in 1879, an unexam-
PIED increase of export trade. Your early at
tention is solicited to this important matter.
The Commissioner of Education reports a
continued increase of public interest in edu-
affairs, and that the public schools
generally throughout the country are well sus-
tanned. Industrial training is attracting de-
served attention, and colleges for instruction,
and practical, in agrie ture and the
mechanic arts, including the Government
schools recently established for the in
structlon Of Indian youth are gaining
steadily in public estimation. The Commits
sioner asks special attention to the depreda-
tons committed on the lands reserved
for the future support Of public instruction
md to the very great need Of help from the
nation for schools In tho Territories and in the
Southern States. The recommendation here
tofore made is repeated and urged, that an
educational fund be set apart from the net pro-
ceeds of the sales Of the pnblic lands annually,
the income Of which, and the remainder of the
net annual proceeds, to be distributed on some
plan to the States and Territories
and the District of Columbia
Tho success Of the public schools of the
District of Columbia, and the progress made,
under the intelligent direction OF the Board of
and the Superintendent, in sup
plying tho educational requirements of the
District. with thoroughly trained and efficient
teachers, is very gratifying. The acts Of
Congress-, from time to time, donating public
lands to the several States and Territories in
nd OF educational interests, have proved to be-
wise measures Of public policy, resulting in
great and lasting benefit. It would seem to be-
matter Of simple justice to extend the bene-
dts OF this legislation, the wisdom of which has
BEEN 80 fully indicated by experience, to the
District Of Columbia.
District of Columbia to the favorable consid-
GRAFTON Of Congress-. The affairs Of the Dis
trict, a. shown by the report Of the Commits
sioners, are in q very satisfactory condition.
In my annual Messages heretofore. and in
my special Messages of Dec. 10, 1879, I have
urged upon Congress the necessity Of reclaim
ing the marshes Of the Potomac ada.
cent to tho capital, and am constrained
by it's importance to advert again to the
subject. These flats embrace an
area Of several hundred acres. They are an
impeachment to the drainage Of the city and Sc
riously impair its health. 1t is believed that,
with this substantial improvement Of its river
front, the capital would be in all respects one
Of tho most attractive cities in the world.
Aside from its permanent population, this city
Il necessarily the place Of residence Of persons
from every section Of the country, engaged in
the public service. Many others reside here
temporarily for tho Transaction Of business with
the Governments.
The expenses Of Indian education have 90
rar been drawn from the permanent civiliza-
lion fund at tho disposal Of the Department Of
the Interior but the fund is now 80 much re-
dnced that The continuance of this beneficial
work will in the future depend on specific ap-
preparations by Congress for the purpose, and
venture t. express the hope that Congress will
not permit institutions 30 fruitful Of good re-
,ults to perish for want Of means for their
Iupport. On the contrary, an increase Of the
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