River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-12-13

or schools the conveyance OF properly, thes
administration of laws, or the enforcement OF
contracts-none indeed for the punishment OF
criminals except snch as are Afforded by GER
tain customs, commerce and navigation acts
The resources of Alaska, especially Ia fur,
mines and lumber, are considerable IN extent
and capable of large development, wnile Us geo
graphical situation is ono OF politlca4 anu COM
mercial importance. Tue prompangs OF inter-
est. therefore, as we'll as considerations OF honor
and GOOD faith, demand the immediate es'ao-
iisbment Of civil government in that Territory.
RAILWAYS.
Complaints have lately been numerous ana
urgent that certain corporations eontrolhng III
whole or part the facilities for the interstate
carriage OF merchandise by the great railways
Of the country have resorted IN their deaiihSs
with the public to divers measures unlust
and onnressiye 10 their character. In some
instances the State governments have attacked
and suppressed these evils, but IN
orhers thew have been unable to at
ford adequate relief because or uo
iurisdictonal limitations which are imposed
upon them by the federal constitution. Ihe
unestion whether the national government may
lawfully interfere in the premises, and what
if any, supervise of control IT ought 70 eNet-
cise il one which merits your careful colsid-
Grafton. While we cannot fsil TO rec1g-
nize tho importance OF tho vast rall-
way systems of the country, aud their
great and beneficial influence upon the
development OF our material wealth. we
should, on the othsr hand, remember that no
individual CORPORATION ought 20 be invested
with absolute power over the interest OF any
other citizen or class of citizens. The right OF
those railway corporations to any profitable re-
turn upon their investment ana 70 reasonaD
freedom ia their regu atoms must DO
recognized but il seems only just that so far
as its constitutional authority will permit, con-
gress should protect people at large 10 their
interstate traffic against an act OF injustice
which State governments are powerless to
prevent
FOREST PRESERVES.
In my last annual message | called attention
to the necessity Of protecting by sui able legis-
lation the forests situated upon the pubic do
main. In many portions Of the West the pur-
suit OF general agriculture IS only made prac-
ticable bv resort to irrigation. While success
full irrlga ion would be impossible without the
aid al, rded by forests IN contributing 10 the
regularity and constancy OF the supply OF
water. During the past year severe suffering
aud great loss of property have been occa-
stoned by profuse floods, followed by periods
of unususlly low water III many of tho great
rivers OF the county; these irregularities were,
in great measure caused by the removal from
ahont the sources of the streams in question
OF tie timber by which the water supply had
been nourished aud protected. The preserva-
ton OF sucn portions Of the forests on the ma
tional domain as essentially contribute 10 the
equable flow of important wafer courses 10 or
the highest conscQ uence. Important tllDutatleS
of the Missouri, the Columbia and the Sas-
katchewan rise in the mountains of Montana,
now tue northern boundary OF the United
States, between tho Backfeet and Flathesd ln-
dian reservauons. Tnlsregion is ursui able for
settlement, but upon the rivers which dow from
IT,. depends in the futura the agricultural
DEVELOPMENT Of vast ira i OF country. The
attention Of congress il called 20 the necessity
of withdrawing from tho pubic sale this part
II the public domain, and establishing there
forest preserve.
The industrial exhibitions which have been
held in tho United States during the present
year attracted tina attention of many foreign
countries, where the announcement of those
enterprises hal been made public through tho
foreign representatives Of this government
Tho Southern exhibits at Louisville were
largely attended by the exhibitors Of foreign
countries, notwithstanding the absence of
any professional character in those undsrtak-
iugs The centennial exposition to be held
next year at New Orleans in commemorston
Of the century of the first shipment of cotton
from port of the United States, bis fair TO
meet with like gratifying success. Under tho
act OF congress of the 10th of February, 1888,
declaring that exposition to be national
and international in it's character,
the foreign governments with which the
United States maintains relations, have boon
invited to participate. The promoters OF this
important undertaking have already received
assurances of the lively interest it has excited
abroad.
The report of the commissioner OF
the District Of Columbia is herewith trans
mited. i ask for it your careful attention, es-
pecially for those portions which relate to as
sements for taxes and water supply.