The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1881-12-14

because OF my CONuUtnb OcilcI lllNb lntb
course is consistent with wisest econ
omy. Among the most uncultivatod
Indian tribes there is reported to be
q general and urgent desire on the part
Of the chief and older members for the
education Of their children. 1t is unfor-
tunate, in view of the fact, that during
the past year the means which have been
at the command of the interior depart
mentf rthe purpose of1ndian 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 encour-
age 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 reservation, as the
pupils are altogether separated from
the surroundings of savage life, and
brought into constant contact with
civilization. There are many other
phases of this subject which are
of great interest, but which cannot
be included within the becoming limits
Of this communication. They are dis
cussed ably in the reports Of the secre-
tary of the interior and commissioner of
the 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, and es-
pecially in the Territory of Utah. The
existing statute for the punishment of
this odious crime, so revolving to the
moral and religious sense of Christen-
] i ,,.f., I
cOntemptuously violated ever
since its enactment. Indeed
in spite of commendable efforts
on the part of the authorities who rep
resent the United States in that Terri
tory, the law has in very rare instances
been enforced, and for q cause to which
reference will presently be made is
practically dead letter. The fact that
adherents. of the Mormon church, which
rests upon polygamy as its cornerstone,
have recently been peoplng in large
numbers Idaho, Arizona and others of
our Western Territories, is well calcu.
=, lated to excite the liveliest interest and
apprehension. 1t imposes upon Congress
and the Executive the duty of using
/ against this barbarous system all the
powerwhich, under the Constitution and
I
Reference has been already made to
the obstacles which the United States
officers have encountered in their eff
forts to punish violations of law. Promi.
nent among the obstacles is the diff
Guilty of procuring legal evidence suf-
ficient to warrant q conviction, even in
the case of the most notorious offenders.
Your attention is called to a recent
| Of OF lo
United States explaining its judgment
of reversal in the case of those who
had been convicted of bigamy in Utah.
The court refers to the fact that
the secresy attending the celebra.
ton of marriages in that Territory makes
the proof of polygamy very difficult,
and the propriety is suggested of mody.
ing the law of evidence which now
makes wife incompetent to testify
against her husband. This suggestion
is approved. L recommend also the
passage of an act that in the Territories
of the United States the fact that a
woman has been married to a person
charged with bigamy shall not dis
qualify her as q witness upon his trial
for that offense. l further recon.
mend legislation by which any
!
any of the Territories shall be required,
under stringent penalties for neglect or
refusal, to file certificate of such mar
riage in the supreme court of the Ter
ritory unless Congress may devise other
practicable measures for Obviating the
difficulties which have hitherto attended
the efforts to suppress this iniquity. /
assure you of my determined purpose
to cooperate with you in any lawful and
discreet measures which may be pro-
posed to that end.
PUBLIC EQUATION.
Although our system of government
does not contemplate that the nation
should provide or support a system foI
the education Of our people, no meas
ures calculated to promote that general
intelligence and virtue upon which tn,
perpetuity of our institutions so greatly
depends, have ever been regarded with
indifference by Congress or the Execu
tive. A large portion Of the public
domain has been from time to time
devoted to the promotion of educa
ton. There is now a special rea
son why, by setting apart the pro
ceeds of its sales Of public lands, or by
some other course, the government
should aid the work of education. Many
who now exercise the right Of suffrage
are unable to read the ballot which they
cast. Upon many who had just emerged
, from condition of slavery were sudden
| ly deYolved the responsibilities of citi
zenship in that portion of the country
most Impoverished by war. l have
been pleased to learn from the report
of the commissioner Of education thai
there has been lately commendable
? increase Of interest and effort fol
J their instruction, but all that can be
/ done by local legislation and private
, generosity should be supplemented by
such aid as can be constitutionally af
] forded by the national government.
> would suggest that if any fund be dedi
. Gated to the purpose it may be wisely