Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1881-12-14
Continued from, Fire. pn6e.

OF 1ne reservations, the Indians SOM
times contentedly and sometimes againt
other hunting grounds. from which the
have again been dislodeed whenever their new
found homes have been discovered BY the aid
venturous settlers. These removals aht th
frontier collisions by which they have often bee
preceded, have led to frequent and disastrou
conflicts between tho races. 1t is proftless
discuss here which of them has been chieae re
sponsibhe for the disturbances whose recital OF
eupaes 50 large space upon the pages OF OF,
history. We have to zeal with the appal
ing fact that though thousands of iiva
have been sacrificed and hundreds of million
of dollars expended in the attempt to solve tn
Indian problem it had until within the past fe,
years seemed scarcely nearer a solution tha
It vas half century ago; but the government
has of late been cautiously but steadily feein,
its way to the adoption of policy which ha
already produced gratifying results and whic]
III my Judgment is likely, II congress and th
executive accord in its support, to relieve Us sr
,onS from the dlfhcultles which have iithert
beset US
Fer the success of the eeo1ts now making t,
introduce among the Indians the customs AM
pursuits of civilized life and gradually to Absorb
them into the mass of our citizens. sharing
their rights and holding to their responsibilities
shere Is imperative need for legislative action
NY suggestions in that respect will be chief,
such as have been already called to the atten
ton of congress and haye received to some
extent its consideration: First, recommend
the passage of an act making the laws of the
various states and territories applicable to Indian
within their borders and extending the laws OF
the state of Arkansas to that portion of Indian
Territory not occupied BY the FIVE civilized
tribes. The Indian should receive the ptpter:
ton OF the law. He should be allowed IS main
tam IN court bis rights of person and property.
He has repeatedly begged for this privilege.
Its exercise would be very valuable to him in
MS progress toward civilization. Second, of
even greater Importance is the measure
which has been frequently recommended by
my predecessors in office and in furtherallce of
winch several bills have from time to time in
actment of general law permitting tie allot-
ment IN severalty to such Indians at least as de-
SIRE 1t OF reasonable quantity of land secured
tc them by patent and for their own protection
made lnaiienatle from twenty or twenty-five
Is demanded for their present welfare and their
permanent advancement. In return for such
conslderate action on the part of the govern
IN large numbers would be persuaded
to sever their tribal relations and
to engage at once in agricultural
pursuits and admit that their old wRys are
over and that it is now for their best interests
70 couform their manner of life to the new
order of things. By no greater inducement
than the assurance Of permanent title of the
ton Of filling it. The well-attested reports of
their increasing interest in husbandry Justify
the hope and belief that the enactment
OF such statute as I recommend would
90 at once attended with gratifying
results. A resort to the allotment system would
have direct and powerful influence in
dlssolving the tribal bond which is the promi-
nent feature of savage life and which tends so
strongly to perpetuate it. I advise liber-
al appropriation for the support of Indian
schools, because Of my confident belief that
such course is consistent with the wisest econ
omy, even among the most uncultured Indian
tribes. There is reported to be general and
urgent desire on the part of the chiefs and old
er members for the education of their children.
It is unfortunate, in view of this
tact, that during the past the means
Which have been at the command of the inte-
rlor department for the purpose of Indian in
struction have proven to be utterly Inadequate.
Inc success of the schools which are in opera
ton at Hampton, Carlisle and Forest Grove
should not only encourage more generous
provision for the support of these institutions,
but Should prompt the establishment of others
OF a similar character. They are doubtless
much more potent for good than the day
schools upon the reservations, as the pupils are
altogether separated from the surrounding of
savage hfe and brought into constant contact
with civilization.
There are many other phases of this subject
which are of grea interest, but which cannot
be included within the becoming limits of this
communication. They are discussed ably in
the reports of the secretary of the interior and
OF the commissioner of Indian affairs.
For many years the executive in his annual
message to congress, has urged the necessity of
stringent legislation for the suppression of
polygamy in the territories, especially in Utah,
the existing statute for the punishment of this
odlous crime, so revolving to the moral and
religious sense of Christianity, has been per-
sistently and CONTEMPORARY violated ever
since its enactment; indeed, in spite of
the commendable efforts on the part
OF the authorities who represent the
United States in that territory the law has in
very rare instances been enforced, and for a
cause to which reference will presently be
made, is practically u dead letter. The fact
that the adherents of the Mormon Church,
which rests upon polygamy as its cornerstone,
have recently been peoping in large numbers,
Idaho, Arizona and other of our west.
ern territories. is well calculated to excite the
hvehest interest and apprehension. 1t imposes
upon congress and the Executive the duty of
using against this barbarous system all the
power which under the constitution and law
they can WELD for its destruction. Reference
has been already made to the obstacles which the
United States officers have encountered in their
efforts to punish the violation of the law.
Prominent among the obstacles is the difficulty
of procuring legal evidence sufficient to war
rant conviction even IN the cases of the most
notorious offenders.
Your attention is called to the statement of
the supreme court of the United States e1-
planning its JUDGMENT Of reversal in the case
OF Miles who had been convicted Of bigamv in
U.ai. The court refers to the fact that
the peculiarities attending the celebration
of marriages in that territory makes
that part Of polygamy very difficult and the
propriety is suggested Of modifying the law of
to testify against her husband. This sugees-
ton as approved, recommend, also the pass
ing of an act providing that in the territories
of these United States, the fact that
a woman has been married to per-
son charged with bigamy shall not
disqualify her as witness upon his trial for
by which any person solemnizing marriage in
any of the territories shall be required, under
stringent penalties fer neglect or refusal, to file
a certificate of such marriage in the supreme
court of the territory, unless congress may de-
wise other practicable measures FOR obyiating
the difficulties which have hitherto attended the
efforts to suppress this iniquity. assure you
you in any lawful and discreet measures which
may be proposed to that end.
PUBLIC EDUCATION.
Although our system of government does
not contemplate that the nation should provide
or support system for the education of our
people, no measures calculated to promote that
general intelligence and virtue upon which the
perpetuity Of osrinstitutions so greatly depend
have ever been regarded with indifference BY
congress or the executive. large portion Of
the public domain has been from time to time
devoted to the promotion of education. There
is no special reason why by setting apart the
proceeds of the sales Of public lands, or
BY some other course, the government should
not aid the work OF education. Many who
low exercise the right of suffrage are unable
% read the ballot which they cast. Upon many
who had just emerged from condition of sla-
very were suddenly devolyed the responsible
les OF citizenship, in that portion of the
country most impoverished by war. have
oeen pleased to learn from the report of the
Of education that there has been
ately commendable increase of interest and
,fort for their instruction, but ali that can be
lone by local legislation and private generosity
hould be supplemented by such aid as can be
afforded by the national gov
rnment would suggest that if any fund be
mr. bo