The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-12-07

| The regulation OF the Interstate commerce has
already been the subject of your deliberations One
OF the incidents OF the marvellous extension Of the
railway syetem Of the country has been the adop-
| ton OF such measures by the corporations which
own or control the roads as has tended to impair
the advantages of heathful competition and to make
hurtful discriminationst in the adjustment Of freig
age.
These Inequalities have been corrected in several
OF the states by appropriate legislation the effect of
which Is necessarily restricted to the limits of their
own territory.
So far as such mischiefs effect commerce between
the states or between any one of the states and
foreign country, they are subjects of national con-
ern, and Congress alone can afford relief.
The results which have thus far attended the en-
r0rcement OF the recent statute for the suppression
OF polygamy in the Territories reported by the
Secretary Of the Interior. 1t is not probable that
any additional legisl alton in this regard Will be
deemed desirable until the effect of existing laws
shall be more closely observed and studied.
congratulate you that the commissioners, under
whose supervision those laws have been put in ope-
ration, are encouraged to believe that the evil at
which they are aimed may be suppressed without
resort to such radical measures as in some quarters
have been thought indispensable for success.
The close citation of the general government to
lne territories preparing to be great states may
the Indian disturbances mainly occur and that po-
lygamy has found room for Its growth. cannot
doubt that careful survey of Territorial legislation
would be Of the highest utility. Life and property
would become more secure The liability of out
breaks between Indians and whites would be les
sened. The public domain would be more securely
guarded and better progress made In the 1nstruc-
ton of the young. '.'s...-
Alaska Is smif without any form OF civil govern
ment. II means were provided for the education Of
US people and for the protection Of their lives and
properly the immense resources of the region would
invite Observation-Disclosures and open new fields
for industry and enterprise,
The report of the Commissioner Of Agriculture
presents an account of the abors Of that depart
ent Qur1ng the past year and includes Information
OF much interest to the general public.
The condition of the forests OF the country and
the wasteful manner in which their destruction Is
taxing place, give cause for serious apprehension
Tnelr action In protecting the earths surface, In
modifying the extremes of climate, and in regAla
ting and sustaining the flow Of springs and streams
is now we'll understood, and their Importance in re-
laton 70 the growth and prosperity Of the country
cannot be safely be dlsregarded, They fast dis
appearing before destructive fires and the legit
mate requirements OF our increasing population,
ana their total extinction cannot be long delayed
unless better methods than now prevail shall be
adopted for their protection ana cultivation. The
attention OF Congress Ia invited to the necessity OF
legislation to the presvation of the
valuable forests still remaining on the public do
MAN, especially IN the extreme Western States and
territories where the necessity for their preserva
uon ID greater than In less mountainous regiona,
and where the prevailing dryness of the climate