Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-12-07


erty. He has repeatedly begged for this
privilege. Its exercise would be very val1a-
BILE to him in his progress toward civilization.
Second, of even greater Importance. The
enactment of general law permitting the
allotment in severalty to such Indians. at
least as desire it. of a reasonable quantity
of land secured to them by patent, and for
their own protection made inalienable for
20 or 25 years. There is reason to believe
that Indians in large numbers would be per-
suaded to dissolve the tribal relations and
engage at once in industrial pursuits. BY
no greater inducement than assurance of
permanent title to the soil, can they be led to
engage in the occupation of tilling it; and
the enactment of such a statute as recon-
mend would have direct and powerful in
huence in dissolving the tribal band which is
prominent y feature of savage life. ad-
wise liberal appropriation for the support of
Indian schools, because Of my confident be-
lief that that course is consistent with
the wiscst economy among the most
uncultivated Indian tribes. Ii is un-
fortunate that during the past year, the
means which have been at the command of
the Interior Department for the purpose of
Indian instruction, have proved to be utterly
inadequate. The success Of the schools
which are in operation at Hampton, Carlisle
and Forest Grove, should not only encourage
a more generous provision for the support of
those institutions, but should prompt the
establishment of others.
The MORMON QUESTION.
The existing statute for punishment of
the odious crime OF poEgamy' so revolving
10 the moral ana reiigious sense OF Christen-
dom' mas neeh persis'ah'iy ana eohtemptu-
ously violated even since its enactment. In
part of the autboritie. who repre,ent the
United States. the law is practically a
dead letter. The fact that adherants of
the Mormon church. hich rests upon polyg-
amy as its corner stone. have RECENTLY been
peopling in large numbers Idaho. Arizona
and other of our western Territories. ia well
calculated IN excite the liyeIicst interest and
apprehension. The fact that the secrecy
attending the celebration of marriages in the
Territory makes the proof of polypamy very
difficult. and the proprietv is suggested Of
modifying the law Of evidence which now
makes wife incompetent TO testify against
her husband. This suppestion is approyed
I recommend also the massage of an act. pro-
yidinp that in Territories of the limited
States. the fact that a woman has been mar
ried 10 a person charged with biyamy. shall
not disoualify her as a witne.. upon his trial
L TURNER recommend
lation which shall nroyide that anv nerson
solemnizing marriage in any of the Ter
rltories, shall be required (under stringent
penalties tor negiect or retusai) TO ME
cer'nca.e o' sue" "a'r'age III 'he supreme
Sourt oi 'ne lerr"oIy' assure you Oh my
determined purpose 10 cooperate WIN you IN
any ia"iui ana olscreet measures which may
be proposed to that end.
GovERSMESrAL AID IN EDUCATION.
There is now special reason why. by set
ting apart the proceeds of its sale of
public lands. or bv some other course.
government should aid the work of
the education of MANY who now ex-
ercise the right of suffrage but are unable 10
rsad Tho halIot which thov cast An that con
he done nv local Ieg;sIat;on and yenoro.;,v
shopld he sunplemen,ed nv such aid as can
be copstitutionally afforded bv the National
Government for the education particularly
Of the colored people. i would suggest that
II any 1uhds De dedicated 10 TINS purpose. IL
may De wisely distributed IN the dinerent
states according 10 the rate OF liilteracy, as
by tins means those locations which are most
IN need OF such assistance viii reap its es-
peclai oeneht. Inc STEADY increase OF our
population ana consequent aaaltioh 10 the
'umoer OF those engaging IN the pursuit Oh
""'D"""'y NV s'"s y" o"' "e. '."''"" NJ W.
partment growing dighity ana Importance.
PENSIONS.
Reviewing the pension department rcport
NJ great length. and reproducinp statistics
already printed. he goes on to saw at the ont
set that a sum so enormous NAV be expended
by the government to meet demands for ar
rear, of peusiops. i. an admonition to Con
gross and the Executive 10 give canton. con.
sideration to any similar project in the future.
The great temptation To the presentation of
fictitious claim. afforded by the fact that
the average sum obligated upon each appli-
cation is thirteen hundred dollars. leads him
to suggest the propriety of making some
special appropriation for the prevention of
fraud.
suggest the adoption of some measure
for the removal of distractions which now
impeae the navigation of the Mississippi
river
Ci''h SERVICE hhfohM'
In my letter accepting the nomination
Tor the wee Presidency L stated that IN
my judgment no man snouId De the
incuhoeh. OF an once .ne uuties OF
"hich ne ~ l1r any cause unnt u perform,
or VINO iackihg ~ .he ao,Il.y, nuenty OF
integrity which proper administrator OF
sucn once aenands. =,
ms sentiment wouid nououess meet with
general acqniescence' put OPINION mas been