The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1880-12-09

ponies in freighting. by which ne earns liberal
wages; when he has cows and swine and poul-
try on his land, the care of which he finds use
full and profitable; when he can send his chill
dren 10 school, and begins TO hope that they
may become a. civilized and prosperous as
white people then he will soon cease TO think
of leading the life of nomad, and the thought
of war will no longer have any charm for
him.
The report also enters into many interesting
details concerning the present condition of
individual tribes. The case of the Poncas re-
ceives minute attention. The injustice done
them by their original removal from their
Dakota lands is fully described, but il is also
clear to the Secretary that it would be con-
trary alike to their own interests and to those
of the country at large to remove them from
their present homes.
Attempts by evil-dispOsed persons to in
wade the Indian Territory, and to take posses
sion of certain unoccupied lands there, have
90 far been successfully frustrated by the
prompt action of the Government, but they
have been as persistently repeated 1t is re-
ported that another attempt is in preparation
now. The military forces of the United States
in the Territory are instructed to arrest in
truders, and to take proper measures to bring
them TO justice, as they have done here
tofore. But it is evident that the penal
ty imposed upon repeated intrusion into the
Indian Territory, which penalty consists in a
mere fine, and is difficult of enforcement, is
not sufficient TO deter lawless characters from
such undertakings. l concur with the Com
missioner in recommending that a law be
passed adding penalty of imprisonment TO
that of fine. If this is done invaders will
Gus risks to them"
Referring to the measures instituted by the
Department to put stop to depredations on
public timber lands, the Secretary reports they
have been highly successful. During the past
three years upwards of $240,0O0 have been
turned into the Treasury as the result of keep
ing the Departments special agents in the field
to defend and prosecute wholesale timber tres
passers. and the Illicit cutting and expectation
of timber from the public lands along our
coasts, which had grown to an enormous
yearly aggregate, has been almost entirely ar
rested.
The Secretary again urges upon the atten-
ton of Congress the great desirability of en-
acting laws TO provide for the proper preser
walton of our forests by preventing the
reckless waste which now attends the cutting
of timber in many parts of the country with
out restraint.
The Secretary recommends liberal apprO-
priations for extension of the geological survey
all over the United States, and the adoption by
| legislative enactment of Commissioner Bent
/ lys plan for taking evidence in pension case:
by oral examinations throughout the country
| concurs with Commissioner Marble in asking
J an increased force of clerks and examiner:
| for the Patent Office; recommends early actor
upon the Public Land Commissions bill; in
| dorses General Walkers recommendation TO-
authority to secure prompt publication OF
! census reports by special contract, and il
! view of the present and prospective neet
! of additional accommodations for the work o
| the Interior Department, Post-office Depart
ment and other Government offices now ex
| tensively occupying rented quarters, he rec
ommends that four new Government build
ings of adequate size be erected on thre
blocks surrounding Lafayette Square, oppo
site the Executive Mansion.
The report also contains, among other mat
tiers not above indicated, series of synopse
of reports furnished under special instruction
of the Department by the Governors of tn
various Territories, setting forth their materid
resources, and their respective attractions TO
| immigrants.