Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-12-07

fact, that during the past the means which have
been at the command OF the interior depart
ment 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 more generous provision
for the support of the institutions, but should
prompt the establishment of others of sim
liar character. They are doubtless much
more potent for good than the day schools
upon the reservations, and the pupils are al
together separated from the surroundings of
savage life, and brought into constant con-
tact with civilization.
There are many other phases of the SUBJ
ject which are of great interest, but which
cannot be included within the becoming lin
It's OF this communication. They are ably
discussed in the reports of the secretary of
the interior, and of the commissioner of In-
dian affairs.
THE MORMON QUESTION.
For many years, the executive in his annual
message to congress, has urged .he necessity
of stringent legislation for the suppression
Of poligamy in the territories, especially in
Utah. The existing statute for the punish
ment OF this odious crime, so revolt
ing 20 the moral and religious
sense OF chris tianity, has been persistenlly
and contemptously violated ever since its en-
actment. Indeed, in spite of commendabls
efforts on the part of the authorities who
represent the United States in that territory,
the law mas IN every way and instance been
ignored and for cause to which reference
will presently be made, is practically a dead
letter. The fact that adherents of the Nor
mon church, which rests upon polygamy as
its corner stone, have recently been settling
IN large numbers in Idaho, Arizona, and
Utah, our Western territories, is well
calculated TO excite the liveliest
interest and apprehension. It imposes
upon congress and the executive the duty of
war against this barbarOus system with all
the power which, under the constitution and
law, they can weld for it's destruction. Ref
erence has been already made to the obstacles
to which the United States officers have en-
countered in their efforts to punish violation
of the law. Prominent among the obstacles
is the difficulty of procuring legal evidence
suhclent to warrant conviction, even IN the
ease Of most notorious offenders
decision of the supreme court OF
the United States explaining its Judgment of
reversal in the case of Miles, who had been
convicted of bgamy in Utah. The court re-
fers to the fact that the secrecy attending the
celebration OF marriages in that territory
makes the proof of polygamy very difficult,
and the propriety is suggested of modifying
that law of evidence which now makes wife
incompetent to testify against her husband
This suggestion is approved. 1 recommend
also the passing of an act providing that in
the territories of these United States
the fact that woman has been married
to person charged with blgamy shall not
disqualify her as witness upon his trial for
that offense. further recommend legislation
by which any person solemnizng marriage
in any Of the territories shall be required, un-
do Of 81.
to fle certificate of such marriage in the su-
preme court of the territory, unless congress
may devise other practicable measures for
obviatlng the difficulties which have hereto
fore attended the efforts to suppress this in
iquity. l assure you of my determined pur-
pose to cooperate with you in any lawful and
discreet measures which may be proposed on
that end.
EDUCATION.
Although our system of government does
not contemplate that the nation should pro-
vide or support sy stem for the education Of
our people, no measures calculated to pro-
mote their general intelligence and virtue
upon which the perpetuity Of our institutions
so greatly depends, have been regarded with
indifference by congress or the executive
A large portion of the public domain
has been, from time to time, de-
voted to the promotion of education.
There Is special reason why by setting apart
the proceeds in the sales of public lands, or
by some other cause, the, government
should aid tie work of education. Many
who now exc else the right of suffrage are
unable to read the ballot which they cast.
This was especially notable among those who
had just emer ged from condition Of slavery
upon whom was suddenly devolved the respon-
sibilities of citizenship in that portion of the
country most impoverished by war. 1have been
pleased to learn from the report of the commits
sioner of education that there has been lately
considerable increase of interest and effort
for their instruction, but all that can be done by
local legislation and private generosity should
be supplemented by such aid as can be constitu-
tioually rendered by the national government.
I would suggest that if any fund be Dedicated
to this purpose, it may be wisely distributed
iu the different states, according to the rates
of illiteracy, ss by this means those localities
which are most in need of such assistance
Twill reap its special benefit.
AGRICULTURE.
The report of the commissioner of agricul-
ture exhibits results of the experiments in
which that department has been engaged in
during the past year, and makes important
suggestions in reference to the agri-
cultural development of the country.
The steady increase in our population and the
consequent additions to the number of those
engaging in the pursuits of husbandry, ar,
giving to this department growing dignity
and Importance. The commissioners sug-
gestions ucaing its capacity, for greater use
fulness, deserve attention, as it more and more
commends itself to the interest which it was
created to promote.
It appears from the report of the COM
miesioners OF pensions, that since 1860,
7S9.06S original pension claims have
been filed. Of these 450,949 have
been allowed and inscribed on the pension
roll; 1854 have been rejected and abandoned,
being 13 per cent. of the whole number Of
claims settled There are now pending for
settlement 265,57 original pension claims,
2l2, ,040 of which were filed prior to July L,
1880. These when allowed will involve the
payment of arrears from the date of discharge,
in case of an invalid, and from date of death or
termination Of prior right, on all other cases.
From all the data attainable it is estimated
that Is per cent. of the
number Of claims now pending will be reject
able rejection of "a ,040 cases, and the probable
admission of about 193, 900 claims, all of which
involve the payment of arrears of pensions.
With the present force employed, the number
of adjudications remaining the same, and no
business intervening, this number of claims
Q93 ,000) could be acted upon in period of
| six years, ard. taking January, 1, 1884, as a
| near period from which to estimate on each
| case the average amount of arrears, it is found
that every case allowed would require for The
| first payment the sum of 81 $50 Multiplying
this amount by the whole number of prob
able admissions, gives $250, ,0OO, 600 as the sum
required for first payments. This represents
the sum which must be paid upon claims
which were fled before July 1, 1880, and now
are pending and entitled to the benefit of ar
rears from this amount, $3.50, 900 900, may be
deducted from ten to fifteen millions for cases
where, the claimant dying, there is no person
who, under the Law, would be entitled to sue
ceed to the pension, leaving $235, 600 600 of
the probable amount to be paid. In
these estim ates no account has been
taken of the $500 cases fled
since June 80, 1880, and nov pending, which