Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-12-07


millions OF acres far beyond the bounds of civilized
settlements that policy should have been initiated
which more than aught else has been the fruitful
source OF our Indian complications. l refer, OF
course, TO the policy OF dealing with the various
Indian tribes by treaty stipulafions, to the occu
pancy OF immense reservations in the West, and OF
encouraging them to live undisturbed by any
earnest and well-directed efforts to bring them
under the influences OF civilization. The I'M
satisfactory results which have sprung from
this policy are becoming apparent TO all as the white
settlements have crowded the borders OF the reser-
vations. The Indians, sometimes contentedly and
sometimes against their will, have been transferred
to other hunting grounds, from which they have
again been dislodged when their new-found homes
have been desired by the adventurous settlers.
These removals. and the frontier colonists by which
they have often been succeeded have led to frequent
and disastrous conflicts between the races. 1t is
profites, to discuss here which of them have been
chiefly responsible for the disturbances whose re-
cital occupies SO large space on the pages
the appalling fact that thousands OF lives
have been sacrificed and hundreds of millions of
dollars expended in the attempt to solve the Indian
problem. 1t had. until the past few years seemed
scarcely nearer solution than it was half century
ago bat the Government has OF late been cautiously
but steadily feeling its way to the adoption OF q
policy which has already produced gratifying re-
SUITS and which, in my Judgment, is likely, II Con-
gress and the Executive accord in its support, to
relieve US ere long from the difficulties which have
hitherto beset US. For the success OF the efforts
now making to introduce among the Indians the
customs and pursuits OF civilized fe and gradually
to absorb them into the OF our citizens shar-
ing their rights and held to their responsibilities,
there is imperative nesd for gilative action. My
suggestions in that respect will be chiefly
such az have been already called to the
extent its consideration. At first l recommend the
passage OF an Act making the laws OF the various
States and Territories applicable TO the Indian res
ervstions within their borders extending the laws
ft IN of nf Ar IN no "a q N
Territory not occupied by the five civilized 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 this privilege Its exercise would be very valua-
BILE in his progress toward civilization. Second and
of even greater Importance, is the MEASURE which
has been frequently recommended by my predeces-
in office, and in furtherance of wh.ch several
bills have been from time to time in
troduced in both Houses of Congress = the
enactment OF general law permitting the
allotment in severaty, to such Indians at least as
desire it, OF reasonable quantity OF land secured
to them by patent, and Tor their own protection,
and inalenabe from twenty or thirty-fve years sls
a demand for their present welfare and permanent
advancement. In return for such consideration on
the part OF the Government, there is reason to be-
lieve that the Indians in large numbers would be
persuaded to sever their tribal relations and to
gage at once in agricultural pursuits. BY greater
lnducement than the assurance OF permanent title
to the soil they be led to engage in the oecupa-
ton Of tng it. The well-attested reports of their
increasing interest in husbaadry justify the hope
and belief that the enactment of such statute as
have recommended would be at once attended with
gratifying results resort to the allotment system
would have a direct and powerful influence in
dissolying the tribal bond, which is a prominent
feature OF savage life, and which bids strongly
perpetuate these. advise liberal appropriation
for the support OF Indian schools, because OF my
confident belief that such course is consistent
with the best economy. Even among the most un-
cultured Indian tribes there is reported to be gen
eral desire the part OF the chiefs and older
bers for the education of their children. 1t is I'M
Fortunate in view of this fact that during the past
years the schools which have been at the command
of the Interior Department for the purpose of In
dian instruction have proved utt riy inadequate.
The schools which are in operation at Hampton,
Carlyle and Foyest Grove should not only encourage
more generous provision for the support OF these
institutions, but should prompt the establishment
Of Others of similar character They are doubt
less much more potent for COED than the lay schools
upon the reservations, the pupils altogether
separated from the surroundings of rough life and
brought into constant contact with civilization.
There are many other phases of this subject which
Of great interest, but which cannot be included
They discussed ably in the reports of the Secre
tary of the Interior and the Commissioner of Indian
Affairs.
THE MORMON QUESTION.
For many years the Executive, in his annual
message to Congress, has called attention to the
of polygamy. In the Territories especially in Utah,
the, existing statutes for the punishment OF this
edious crime, revolving to the moral and reli-
gious sense Of Christianity, has been persistently
and contemptuously violated since its enact
ment. Indeed, in spite of commendable efforts on
the part Of the authorities who represent the United
States in that Territory. the law has very rare
instances been enforced, and for a 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
cornerstone, have recently been peoplug in
large number Idaho, Arizona, and other OF
our Western Territories is well calculated to excite
the liveliest interest and apprehension. 1t imposes
uuon Congress and the Executive the duty of using
against this barbarous system all the power which
under the Constitution and law they can WELD FOL
its destruction. Reference has been already made
to the obstacles the United States officers have
encountered in their efforts to punish violst OF
the law Prom nent among these obstacles ls the
difficulty of procuring legal evidence sufficient 10
warrant 4 conviction, in the case OF the most
notorious offender Your attention is called to the
communication Of the Supreme Court Of the United
States, explaining its judgment of reversal in the
case OF Miles, who had been convicted OF bigamy
in Utah. The Court refers to the fact
that the secrecy attending the eelebra
ton of marriages in that Territory makes
that part of poygamy very difficult, AMI the propri
ETY. is suggested of modification OF the law of evi.
dence which now makes wife incompetent TO ties i.
y aiust her husband. This suggestion is approved
and recommended ; also the passage OF an Act pro
vidng that the Territories Of these United States
the fsct that woman has been married to rson
charged with bigamy shall not disquaify her
witness upon his trial for that offensa. | further
recommend legislation by which any person soleIn-
nzing marriage in any OF the Territories shall be
required, under strirgentpenal les for neglect or
fusal, to file certificate OF such marriage in the
Supreme Court of the Territory, unless Congress
make devise other practicable measures for olivia
ting the difficulties which have hitherto attended
the efforts to suppress this nquity assure you OF
ira1 To
any lawful and discreet measur which may be pro-
posed to that end.
EDUCATION.
Although our system of government does not
contemplate that the nation should provide or sup
port system for the education of our people, no
measures calculated to promote that general intel;-
gepce and virtue upon which the perpetuity OF our
institutions greatly der ends have ever been re-
garded with indifference by Congress the Execu-
tive. large portion Of the public do
main has been, from time to time, de-
voted to the promotion of education. There is
special occasion why, by setting apart the pro-
ceeds of its sales Of public lands, by some other
course, the Government should aid the work of
education. Many who exercise the right Of
suffrage unable TO read the ballot which they
cast. Upon many who had Just emerged
from a condition of slavery where suddenly devoved
the responsibilities of citizenship, in that portion
OF the COUNTRY most Impoverished by the war
have been pleased to learn from the report OF the
Commissioner of Education that there has been
lately commendabe interest and effort for their
instruction. But all that be done by local lee1s-
ation and private generosity should be supplement-
cd by such aid as can be constitutonelly afforded
by the National Government. would suggest that
il any fund be dedicated to this purpose it may be
distributed in the different States according to the
ratio OF iliiteracy. BY this means the locations
which most in need OF such assista; CO will reap
its separate benefit.
The resort of the Commissioner of Agriculture
exhibits results OF the expermentsof which that De-
partment has been liz charge suring the past year,
and makes important suggestions in reference
to the agricultural development of the country.
The steady increase of cur population and the
sequent addition to the numbers Of those engaging
in the pursuit OF husbaudry, giving to this De-
partment growing dignity snd importance. The
Commissioners suggestions touch ng its capacity for
greater usefulness deserve attention. as it more and
more commends itself to the interest in which it
crested to promote.
PENSION MATTERS.
II appears from the report OF the Commissioner of
Pensions that since 1860 7S9 0s3 original pension
claims have been flied $50 $40 OF these have been
allowed aud inscribed the pension roll /; ~ 500
Lave been rejected and abandoned. being thirteen
plus per cent OF the whole number Of claims settled
There are now pending for settlement 766 SIS oriy-
nal pension claims, % 700 Of which filed prior
to JAY 1, 1880. These, when allowed will involve
the payment Of from the date death or ter
nination Of prior right in all other cases. From
all the data oStainable it is estimated that fifteen
per cent OF the number OF claims now pending will
be rejected or abandoned.
advise appropriations for such international i'm
provemeLts as IN the wisdom Of Congress NAV seem
TO be Of public Importance The necessity of i'm
proving the navigation OF the Mississippi river ius
titles special aliusion to that subject | suzyest
the adoption OF some measure for the removal az
the distractions which now impede the NAVIGATION
OF that great channel Of commerce