Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-12-14
Cg5,tfnued from the Third Pace.

have been sacrificed and hundreds Of millions
Of dollars expended in the attempt to solve the
Indian problem it had until within the past few
years seemed scarcely nearer a solution than
it was half century sgo but the government
has of late been cautiously but steadily feeling
its way to the adoption of policy which has
already produced gratifying results and which
IN my judgment is likely, If congress and the
executive accord in its support, to relieve us ere
long from the difficulties which have hitherto
beset us
Fer the success of the efforts now making to
introduce among the Indians the customs and
pursuits OF civilized life and gradually to absorb
sthem into the mass Of our citizens, sharing
their rights and holding TO their responsibilities
there is imperative need for legislative action.
My suggestions in that respect will be chiefly
such as have been already called to the atten
ton of congress and have received to some
extent its consideration: First, | recCmnend
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 nOG occupied by the five civilized
tribes The Indian should receive the protec-
ton of the law. He should be allowed to MAIN
tam i'll court bis rights of person and property.
He has repeatedly begged for this privilege.
Its exercise would be very valuable to him in
his progress toward civilization. Second, of
even greater Importance is the measure
which has been frequently recommended by
my predecessors in Office and In furtherance of
which several bills have from time to time in
PRODUCED liz both houses of congress-. The en-
actment of a general law permitting tie alIot-
ment in severalty to such Indians at least Us de-
sire 1t of q reasonable quantity of land secured
to them by patent and for their own protection
made inaienaEle from twenty or twenty-five
is demanded for their present welfare and their
permanent advancement In return for such
considerate action On the part Of the govern
ment, there Is reason to believe that the Indians
III large numbers would be persuaded
to sever their tribal relations and
TO engage at once IN agricultural
pursuits and admit that their old ways are
over and that it is now for their best interests
to conform their manner of life to the new
GTder of things. BY no greater inducement
than the assurance of permanent title of the
soil can they be led to engage in the occupa-
ton of tiIling it. The well-attested reports of
their increasing interest in husbandry Justify
the hope and beief that the enactment
of such a statute as [ recommend would
be at once attended with gratifying
results. A resort to the allotment system would
have direct and powerful influence in
dIssolvmg the tribal bond which is the promi-
nent feature of savage life and which tends so
strongly to perpetuate it. I advise a liber-
al appropriation for the support of Indian
schools, because of my confident belief that
such course is consistent with the Wisest econ
soEnys even among the most uncultured Indian
@AAbShs IH0IS is E6pCJISu 10 De q general and
urgent desire on the part of the chiefs and old
er members for the education Of their children
1t is unfortunate in view of this
fact, that during the past the means
which have been at the command of the inte-
rIor department for the purpose of Indian in
sTuctlon have proven to be utterly inadequate
The success Of the schools which are in opera
ton at Hampton, Carlisle and Forest Grove
should not only encourage o more generous
provision for the support Of these Institutions
but should prompt the establishment of others
of q 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 life and brought into constant contact
with civilization.
There are many other phases of this subject
which are OF grea interest, but which cannot
communication. They are discussed ably in
the reports OF the secretary Of the interior and
Of the commissioner of Indian affairs.
PoLYGANY.
For many years the executive in his annual
message to congress, has urged the necessity of
legislation for the suppression of
polygamy IN the territories. especially IN Utah.
the existing statute for the punishment of this
odl0Hs crime, SO revolving to the moral and
religious sense of Christianity, has been per-
and cOntemptuously violated ever
since its enactment; indeed. in spite of
of the authorities who represent the !
United States III that territory tie law has III
very rare instances been enforced. and for q |
cause to which reference will presently be |
made, is practically dead letter. The fact |
that the adherents Of the Mormon Church |
which rests upon polygamy as its conversion
have recently been popping In large numbers, |
Idaho, Arizona and other of our west |
efn territories, is well calculated to excite the |
Iveiest 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 a conviction even IN the cases Of the most |
offenders.
Your attention is called to the statement of
the supreme court of the United States ex-
planning its judgment of reversal in the case |
of Miles who had been convicted of bigamy in |
Uta4. The court refers to the fact that |
the peculiarities attending the celebration |
Of marriages in that territory makes !
tha5 part of polygamy very difficult and the |
proprlety is suggested of modifying the law Of |
evidence which now makes wife incompetent |
so testify against her husband. This sugges-
uon 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 a per-
son charged with bigamy shall not |
her as a witness upon his trial for
shat offense. further recommend legislation |
by which any person SOlemnizlng marriage in |
any Of the territories shall be required, under |
penalties for neglect or refusal, to file
q certificate of such marriage in the supreme |
court of the territory, unless congress may de-
wise other practicable measures for obviating |
the difficulties which have hitherto attended the |
efforts to suppress this iniquity. I assure you |
of my determined purpose to cooperate with |
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 hould provide |
or support a system for the education of our |
people, no measures calculated to promote that |
general intelligence and virtue upon which the |
perpetuity of ourinstltutions so greatly depend |
have ever been regarded with indifference by |
congress or the executive. A 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 |