Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1883-12-11

ability in his day, and Caleb B. Smith,
of Indiana, the first republican secreta-
~ was scarcely his inferior. But the de.
partmsnt was small then in pro-
portion to what it is now. Its bust
ness has more than quadrupled. No
man has ever been at its head
who dispatches as much business
in the same length OF time and makes as
few mistakes as Secretary Teller. It had
been the practice for years when any
troublesome or laborious question could
be "hung up to hang it and let it hang.
One Of the bureaus in the department
still runs in this old rut, for lack Of abil-
ity on the part of its chief to know any
law precedent or even his own mind.
But the head of the department makes
decisions and does not call on the attor.
ney general for opinions when it il oil
matter of his own. He looks into case,
reaches his conclusion, announces his de.
cision and clears his files of that much of
an accumulation. This has been the
practice ever since Secretary Teller got
comfortably warm in his seat. It was
not so in the olden time.
We see it frequently stated that the
construction of railroads throughout the
west has solved the Indian problem. In
one sense it has, but the Indian Is more
than one problem. BE occupies more
space than his two feet require for stand
ing room. His existence and mainte.
nance by the government as large land
holder is not necessary for the welfare
and happiness of this nation. In the
coming years there will be young white
men who will do better by the country
at large with this land than the young
red man will do, unless the latter should
greatly improve. These large Indian
reservations retard the growth Of all the
surrounding country, and are OBJ
staclss to the development of the Indians
themselves in the arts of civilization.
The Miami reserve in Indiana was the
greatest hindrance to development that
state ever encountered, unless it be the
long ascendancy of the democratic party,
which frittered away its swamp lands
and stole from its school fund. Immi-
grafton passed through the state on
either side of this reservation and took
lodgment in Illinsis. Every state and
territory, having large Indian reserva-
tions, is suffering in the same way to.
day. Congress should SO legislate as to
gradually do away with those large
bodies Of land, held in common by peo-
pie not citizens and who are not likely
TO become such. Due respect to exist
ing obligations should of course be had,
and the Indians as well as the white
mans good be sought.
4 Pennsylvania will have but one sena.
tor in congress the present session. Don
Cameron's seat. in all probability, will
never be occupied by him again. He is
really in pitiable condition, suffering
as he does from fstula of the arms. He
Is incapacitated for any business, and
the surgical treatment he has received
in Europe does not appear to have help
ed him any. He will take no hand in
the shaping Of party measures for the
coming campaign, and whatever discord
may arise in the keystone state, of which
there is no likl,hood, the source of trou.
ble caupot be traced to the afflicted sen.
ator. He has the sympathy of everyone
who knows of his great misfortune.
Among the men who have been men.
toned in connection with the appoint.
ment to the vacant judgeship in Dakots
no one stands higher in the estimation
of those who know him, and NJ
one possesses the qualifications in NOR,
! marked degree than Gen. John Cobur,
} OF Indiana. He served four terms il
} congress with distinguished ability, is
ripe lawyer and has already had som,
} years OF experience on the bench. Ii
5 the selection of President Hayes cabi
net his name was on the list for secretar,
: of war, but in the final cast Iowa wa
3 awarded this position aud that of th
4 navy assigned to Indiana in the persol
. of another worthy citizen. If he shoul
r be selectt d Dakota will gain an officia
e who will devote his energies and abllitie
e to the general welfare. He will be foun
g interesting himself unselfshly in ever
1 public enterprise. and always ready Wit
, wise counsel and active participation t
}. assist in whatever pertains to the publ
J. good.
The rapid growth in population an
. general development in material resou
ces of Dakota is the marvel of the worl,
l. The growth of the postoffice servic,
l. unprecedented, aud the sales of publ
3 lands unparalleled. This is expected
g continue for several years to come, bu
e in the meantime, Washington and Or
Is gon will divide attractions with the b
e territory. BARTON.
e.. First Publication. Nov. Is, 1858.
NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION