The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1882-12-07

"a mll statement of iha varied operations N
that department IN respect w Indian
phllH, nothing has occurred which has
obntuad ur aerlOutly modified tho
views 10 which devoted mach
space ina former communication 10 con
grcss ! renew the accommodation therein
contained ~ 10 extending ~ tho Indian tho
protection 0f the law, allOttlng land Ia
scytralty 20 such rs desire H. and making
suitable provisions for the education OF
youth, such provision rs the secretary
forclbly maintains will prove unayaling
unless II Is broad enough TO include all
those who are able and willing to make use
of II, and should not solely relate to intel
eclual training, but also TO instruction In
snCh manual labor and industrial arts rs
can be made practically available.
Among other important subjects which
are included within the secretary's report
and which will doubtless furnish occasion
for congressional attention, may be men,
toned the neglect of the railroad compan-
les TO which large grants of land were made
by the acts Of 1862 and 1864, TO take title
thereto, and their consequent exemption
from local taxation.
| No survey of our material condition can
fail to suggest inquiries as to the moral and
intellectual progress of the people. The
census returns disclose an alarming state of
| iliteracy in certain portions OF the
country where the provision for schools is
grossly inadequate. 1t is q momentous
question for the decision of congress wheth-
er immediate, substantial aid should be ex-
tended by thu, general government for sup
plimenting the efforts of private bene-
| iicence, and of state and territorial legisla-
ton, in behalf of education.
The regulation of interstate Corlue'Fr
has already been the subject of Won 40
erations. One Of the incidentl % the mar.
velous extension OF the railway system OF
the country has been the adop-
ton of such measures by
the corporation which own or
the advantages OF healthtul competition,
and make hurtful Determinations in the
advancement of freights. These lnequali-
ties 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 Tar as
such mischiefs affect commerce between
the states or between anyone oil the states
and foreign country they are subjects OF
concern, ana congress alone can afford
relief.
PoLYGAMY.
The results which have thus far attended
the enforcement of the recent statute for
the suppression of polygamy IN the terrific
ries are reported by the secretary of the in
terror. 1t is not probable that any addi-
tional legislation in this regard Will be
deemed desirable until the effect of existing
laws shall be more clearly observed and
studied. congratulate you that the com
missioners under whose supervision
these laws have been put in
operation are encouraged to be-
lieye that the evil at which
they are aiming may be suppressed with
out resort to such radical measures as in
some quarters have been thought indispen-
sable for success.
ment to the territories preparing to be great
states may well engage your special atten-
ton. 1t is there that the Indian disturb
ances mainly occur and that polygamy has
found room for its growth. | cannot doubt
that careful survey of territorial legisla.
ton would be Of the highest utility, and
property would become more secure, the
liability of outbreaks between Indians and
whites would belessened, the public domain
would be more securely guarded, and better
progress be made in the instruction of the
young.
is still without any form of civil govern
ment. If means were provided for the ed
ucation OF its people and for the protection
of their lives and property, the immense
resources of the region would make per-
manent settlements and new fields for in
dustry and enterprise.
THE REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGlI-
CULTURE
presents al account of the labor of that de-
partment during the past year, and in
cludes information OF much interest TO the
general public.
The condition of the forests of the coun-
try and the destruction that IS taking place
gives cause for serious apprehension. Their
action in protecting the earth's surface, in
modifying the extremes OF climate and reg
uating and sustaining the flow OF springs
and streams is not well understood, and
their importance in relation to the growth
and prosperity of the country cannot be
safely disregarded. They are fast disap-
pearing tefore destructive Tires, and the le-
ultimate requirements of our increasing
population and their total extinction can
not be long delayed unless bet
ter methods than now prevail
shall be adopted for their
protection and cultivation. The attention
of congress is invited 10 the necessity of adj
ditional legislation to secure the preserva-
ton of the valuable forests still remaining
on the public domain, especially in the eX-
IRENE western states and territories, where
the necessity for their preservation is great.
er than in less mountainous regions and
where the prevailing dryness of the climate
renders tnelr luSy are OlCt
destroyed, well nigh impossible.
CIVIL SERVICE.
The communication which made to con. |
gress at its first session in December last !
contained q somewhat full statement of my
sentiments in relation to the principles |
and rules which ought to govern appoint
ments to public service. Referring TO the
various plans which had therefore been
the subject of discussion in the national |
,.,.Io ,,la NJ
upon the system which obtains ia
Great Britain, but which lacked certain of
the prominent features whereby that sys-
tenn is distinguished, / felt bound to intimate
my thoughts, whether they or any OF them
would afford an adequate remedy for the
evils which they aimed TO correct. de-
cared, nevertheless, that if the proposed
measures should prove acceptable to con.
gress. they would receive the unhesitating 1
support Of the executive. Since the sug-
pcstions were submitted for your considera-
ton there has been no legislation upon the
subject TO which they relate, but there has,
been an increase in the pub ic
interest on that subject, and the
people OF the country, apparently with
out distinction of party. have la various
WAYS, and upon frequent occasions given
expression to their earnest wish for prompt
and definite action. In my judgment such
notion should no longer be postponed. /
may add that my own sense Of It's pressing |
Importance has been cuickened by observa-
ton in the practical phases Of the service,
to which attention has more than once been
called by predecessors. The civil list now
about 100 600 persons, the large /
part of whom, must, under the terms Of
Inc constitution, be selected by the /
president, either directly or through /
bis own appointed agents. In |
the early years Of the administration OF
the government the personal direction Of
to the civil service may not /
have been an irkscme task for the oxecu- |
tive. but now that the burden has increased 1
fully a hu 1dred-foid. u mas become greater |
thar, he ought to bear, and It necessarily |
detracts his time and attention from the
proper discharge Of other duties, no less
delicate and responsible, and which In the |