Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-09-23
HON. r. G. POUND.
Extract From His
Speech at Grand
Rapids, Sep
tembor s.
Immediately following his nom
nation.

The following is what Gov. Pound
had to say at the meeting at Grand
Rapids on the most important subjects
of local legislation, and the general
political situation:
The reservoir system, for improving
the upper Mississippi river and its nav
igable tributaries, directly concerns
some of the most important interests
of Northern Wisconsin, and indirectly
affects q majority Of our citizens.
This projecs has been rapidly growing
IN favor, and has been substantially
adopted by the government. Major
Aliens last report, the result of two
years examinations and surveys of the
headwaters of the Mississippi, ST..
Croix, Chippewa and Wisconsin riv-
ers, although not final, vas conclusive
50 far as determining the feasibility
and Unreasonable advantages of the
system. 1t was received by Congress
too late to command a full consideration
by the committee having jurisdiction
of the subject, and did not contain
definite recommendations as to imme-
date appropriations for construction
So great, however, was the interest
Developed in the project, that an ad-
dress, subscribed by nearly all the
Senators and Representatives from
districts and States to be immediately
affected, setting forth the great de-
mand for such works, and asking for
$500, coo to commence construction,
was presented to the Committee on
Commerce Of the House, and the sub
ject was otherwise presented to the
committee and early action urged.
While these efforts resulted in secur-
ing only $4,000 to commence con-
struction and $15, 600 70 complete the
surveys and estimates, the latter to in
clude Rock River, yet the friends Of
the measure are highly gratifed at
the adoption Of the system thus early,
even by 50 small an appropriation. I
have watched with great interest the
progress Of this investigation, having
primarily instituted it, in its present
comprehensive form, at the extra SEES
sion of the 45th Congress. And
since my recent observations in the
far West, Of the complete control and
utilization Of large rivers for purposes
of irrigation, am confirmed in my con-
victions that our rivers may be as COM
pletely controlled and utilized for nav
igation and harbor uses The imml-
ncnt necessity for such great works
was most forcibly presented by the re-
cent destructive flood, so terrifying
and damaging to this and other local..
ties, which certainly would have been
partially averted by the reservoir sys-
TEN, and the losses wholly prevented.
| believe an adequate appropriation
will be secured at the next session of
Congress to enable the government to
commence these works on all of the
rivers to be included in the system.
OF great Importance to citizens of
Northern Wisconsin, as we'll as to the
Chippewa Indians, is the subdivision
and disposition of the reservations set
apart for the Chippewas. The pine
lands included in these tracts are con-
stantly subject to depredations and
waste, while the Indians, the righttul
benefciarics, who are in a destitute
condition, are deriving no benefit from
them, and very Indifferent aid from
the government. A bill is now pend
ing upon the House calendar, supper
ted by favorable report of the com
lnittee on Indian affairs, and which
has the appreciation Of a delegation of
nine chiefs who visited Washington at
my request, which provides for con-
veying to the Indians in seyeralty the
lands best fitted for agriculture-the
titles to be inalienable for period of
% years, or longer. in the discretion
Of the President. These lands are to
he parceled in so and 40 acre tracts.
The understandable pine timber, above
S inches in diameter, standing on the
allotted lands, 5 next to be appraised,
advertised and sold at public auction
to the highest bidder for cash, the
purchaser to have three years in
which to remove the timber. The
residue of the reservation is to be
appraised and in like manner sold, and
full title to the land given the pur-
chaser. The amount realized from
such sales, less the costs, is to be in
vested in t per cent. government
bonds ard held in trust for the benefit
of the Indians. the interest only to be
distributed among them 1t is be-