Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-12-17

recognition of distinguished military mer.
it, authorizing rank and cmolumcnts to be
conferred for eminent services to the coun-
try. Congress by authorizing the appoint
mcnt of II captain general of the army
with suitable provisions relating to com
pensation, retirement and other details,
would in my judgment he altogether fitting
and proper, and would be approved by the
country.
PUBLIC LANDS, TIMBER AND SURVEYS.
A large increase is reported in the dis
posal of public lands for settlement dur
ing the past year, which marks Il prosper.
Gus growth of our agricultural industry,
and IL vigorous movement of population
towards our unoccupicd lands. As this
movement proceeds, codtication of our
land laws as we'll rs proper legislation to
regulate the disposition of public lands,
become of more pressing necessity, and
therefore invite the consideration of con-
grcSs to the report and to the accompany
ing draft of bill made by the public
lands commission which were cOmmuni-
Gated by me to congress ut the last session
Early action upon this important subject
is highly desirable.
The attention of congress is again asked
to the wastcful deprcdations committed on
our timber lands, and the rapid and indis-
criminatc destruction of our forests. Cr-
gent necessity for legislation to this end is
now generally recognized in view of the
lawlcss character of dcprcdations commit
ted and the disastrous consequences. Leg
slation has again and again been recon-
mcndcd to arrest the evil and preserve for
the people of our western states and ter
ritories the timber needed for domestic and
other essential uses.
The report Of the directors of the geolo-
gcal survey is document of unusual in
tcrest. The consolidation of the various
geological and geographical surveys and
exploring enterprises, each of which have
heretofore operated upon an Independent
plan without concert, cannot fail to he of
great benefit to all those industries of the
country which depend upon the develop.
mcnt of our mineral resources Scientific
men of recognized merit compose the
corps of the geological surXey. The field
of operation and inquiry appear to have
been very comprehensive and will soon be
communicated to congress in Il number of
volumes. The director of surveys recon-
mends that the investigations carried on
hy his bureau which so far have been con-
fined to the so.called public land states
and territories, be extended over the en-
tire country, and that necessary appropri-
ations be made for this purpose. This
would be particularly beneficial to iron,
coal and other mining interests of the Mis-.
siSsippi valley, and of the eastern and
southern states. The subject is commend
cd to the careful consideration of congress.
rOLYGAMY AND MORMONIsM.
1t is the recognized duty and purpose of
the people of the United States and states
to suppress polygamy where it now exists
in our territories, and prevent its eXtcn-
sion. Faithful and jealous efforts have
been made by the the United States au.
thorities in Utah TO enforce the laws
against it. Experience has shown that
legislation upon this subject requires
extensive modification and amendments.
The longer action is delayed the more
difficult il will be to accomplish what is
desired. Prompt and decisive measures
are necessary.
The Mormon scctarian organization.
which upholds polygamy, has the whole
power of making and executing the local
legislation of the territory BY its con.
troll Of the grand and petit jurics it pos.
scsscs large influence over the admins
tration of justice. Exercising, as the
heads of this sect do, the local political
power of the territory, they are able to
make effective their hostility to the law of
congress on the subject of polygamy, and
in fact to prevent its enforcement. POlyg.
amy will not be abolished if the enforce
ment of law depends on those who prac.
tice il and uphold the crime Ii can only
be suppressed by taking away the polti
cal power of section which encourages
and sustains it. The power of congress
to enact suitable laws to protect the terri
tories is ample. The political power of
the Mormon sect is increasing. 1t controls
now one of our wealthicst and most popu.
lous territories. Wherever it goes it cs.
tablishes polygamy and scctaran political
power. The sanctity of marriage and the
family relation is the corner stone of our
American society and civilization. Relig-
ious liberty and separation of church and
state are among the elementary ideas of
our free institutions, interests and princ-
pies, which polygamy and Mormonism
have imperiled. A part of our domain
has been in u great degree closed to intel
ligent and virtuous immigrants of all
cree,ls by these intolercnt and immoral
institutions. 1t is recommended that the
government Of the territory of Utah be
rcorganizcd. l recommend that congress
provide for the government of Utah by
u governor anu Judges OF commissioners,
appointed by the president and confirmed
by the senate, or government analogous to
the provisional government established
for the territory northwest of the Ohio, by
the ordinance of 1887. If however it is
deemed best to continue the existing form
of local government, recommend that
the right TO vote, hold office and sit on
jurics in the territory of Utah be confined
to those who neither practice nor uphold
polygamy. If thorugh measures are adopt
Ell it is believed that within few years
the evils which now atilict Utah will he
cradicated, and this territory will, in good
time, become one of the most prosperous
and attractive of the new states of the
Union
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
The report of the secretary of the interi-
or presents AR elaborate account of the
operations of that department during the
past year. 1t gives me great pleasure to
say that our Indian affairs appear to be in a
more hopeful condition now than ever be-
fore. The Indians have made gratifying
progress in agriculture, herdiny and me.
chanical pursuits. Many who were few
years ago in hostile conflict with the gov