St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1881-12-17

need for legislative action. My suggestions
| In that respect will be, chiefly such as have
| been already called to the attention OF Con
gress, and have received, to some extent, its
| consideration.
!. recommend the passage of an act max
| ing the laws of the various States and Terri
| tories applicable to the Indian walton
within their borders, and extending the law j
OF the State OF Arkansas to that portion of the
Indian Territory not occupied by the five civ
| 1iized tribes. The Indian should receive the
protection of the law {; he should be allowed
to maintain in court his rights of person and
property. He has repeatedly begged for thi J
privilege. Its exercise would be very valua-
Die 70 him IN his progress toward civilization.
2. or even greater Importance is the meas
ure which has been frequently recommended
by my predecessors in office, and in further
ance OF which several bills have been from
time to time introduced in both houses OF
Congress. The enactment of a general law
permitting the allotment in severalty, to such
Indians at least rs desire it, of reasonable
quantity OF land, secured to them by patent
and for their own protection made inalena-
bic tor twenty or twenty-five years, is de-
manded for their present welfare and their
permanent advancement In return for such
considerable action on the part of the Govern
ment there is reason to believe that the Indi-
ans III large numbers would be persuaded to
sever their tribal relations and to engage at
once Ill agricultural pursuits. and 1t Is now
LOT their best interests to conform their man
ners OF life to the new order of things By no
greater inducement than the assurance of
permanent title to the soil can they be led to
engage in the occupation of tilling it. The
well attested reports of their increasing in
terest in husbandry justify the hope and be-
net that the enactment OF such d statute as |
recommend would be at once attended with
gratifying results. 4 resort to the allotment
systemfwould have a direct and powerful in
huence in dissolving the tribal bond which
Is q prominent feature of savage life,
and which tends so strongly to per-
petuate IT there. | advise liberal ap
preparation for the support of Indian
schools, because of my confident belief that
such a course lis consistent with the wisest
economy. Even among theknost uncultured
Indian tribes there is reported to be general
and urgent desire on the part of the chiefs
and older members for the education Of their
children. 1t is unfortunate, in view of this
TACT, that during the past year the means
which have been ut the command of the In
have proved to be utterly made
quate. The success OF the schools which are
IN operation at Hampton, Carlisle and Forest
Grove should not only encourage more gem
erous provision for the support OF those in
situations, but should prompt the establish
ment 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
of savage life and brought
into constant contact with civilization.
which are of great interest," but which can not
De included within the becoming limits of this |
ton. They are discussed ably in |
The reports of the Secretary of the Interior |
ina or the commissioner of Indian Affairs. |
POLYGAMY.
For many years the Executive in his annu-
IL message to Congress, has urged the neces-
'ity OF strigent legislation for the suppression |
u polygamy IN the Territories, especially |
tan. The existing statute for the punish
nent of this odious crime, so revolving to the
moral and religious sense of the community,
las been contemptuously violated ever since
. frln INF Tn1n to 80 rs
nendabie efforts on the part of the au-
horities who represent the United States in
hat territory, the law has in very rare in
tances been enforced, and for a cause to
which reference will presently be made, is
practically q dead letter. The fact that ad-
erents of the Mormon Church, which rests
pom polygamy as its corner stone, have re-
emily been peopling in large numbers
daho, Arizona, and other of our Western
territories, is well calculated to excite the
veliest interest and apprehension 1t i'm
uty of exercising against this barbarous sys-
sm all the powers which, under the Constitu-
ion and the law, they can WELD for its de-
tructiOn.
Reference has been already made to the oh.
tacles which the United States officers have
ncountered in their efforts to punish the vio-
.tion of law. Prominent among the obsta-
les the difficulty of procuring legal evidence
efficient to warrant n conviction, even in the
ase of the most notorious offenders Your
ttention is called to the decision of the SUI
|
9 Judgment of reversal in the case of Miles,
no had been convicted of bigamy in Utah
he Court refers to the fact that the secresy {
tending the celebration OF marriages in that
err1tOry makes proof of polygamy very
lfhcuit, and the propriety is suggested of {
lobbying that law of evidence which now |
lakes the wife incompetent to testify against !
er husband. This suggestion is appi owed {
recommend also the passing of an act ]
roviding that In the Territories Of the United |
'ates the fact that q woman has been I
AIRED 70 person charged with bigamy
lall not disqualify her as a witness upon his i
ial Tor that offense. further recommend I
glsiatlon by which any person solemnizing
marriage in any of the Territories shall be 7
ect or refusal, to file a certificate of such a
afriage tn the Supreme Court of the Terri t
ry, unless Congress makes Or devises other 3
'actical measures for obviating the difficult il
- which have hitherto attended the eff e
rts to suppress this iniquity. l assure Won f
my determined purpose to co operate with n
"a in any lawful and discreet measures C
hich may be proposed to that end. o
= IL EDUCATION. #} ga Ii
Although pur system OF, Government does
t contemplate that the nation shonld pro- a
people. Rbmeasasss caeuias lad to promots
at general Intelligence and virtue upon
ifch the perpetuity of our institutions so 10
eatly depends. haYe ever been regarded |
u indifference by Congress or the Execu- tx
e. largeiportion lof the public domain e.
. w
emotion of education. There is now spe- T
:. ], reason why, by setting apart the pro- d
eds OF OF Its sales OF public lands or by te
the work of educationl Many who now It
ercise the right OF suffrage are unable to V,
VI the. ballot which they cast; and upon ci
my who had just emerged from condition te
slavery were suddenly deyolvedE the re ) flu
Possibilities of citizenship. In that portion | c(
the country most Impoverished by war l it
We been pleased to learn from the report of in
Conn1fssdosfer OF Edueati eRsthaet hereshas 81
en- lately comnendable increase of inter- b,
and effort for Their Instruction, but all in
vt can be done by local legislation OF
4 private gen crosby should be supple a,
nted by such aid as can be constitutional. OF
afforded by the National Government OF
my fund be dedicated to this business it d.
y be wisely distributed in the different I
ties, according to the ratio of illiteracy, as &C
this means those locations which are most en-
need of such assistance will reap its es- pl
:ial benefit. AZ
AGRICULTURE. Ia
he report Of the Commissioner of Agricul. 70