Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1883-12-14
INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
EVILS TO BE REMEDIED.

Much interest and varied information is con-
taioed in the report of the secretary of the
| interior. particularly call your attention to
his presentation of certain phases of the
Indian question, to his recommendations for
tie repeal of the pre- en- ption and timber Gull
ture acts and far more stringent legislation to
prevent frauds under the pension laws. The
statutes which prescribe the definition and pun
ishments of crimes pertaining to pensions, could
doubtless be made more effective by certain
amendments and additions, which are pointed
out in the secretary's report. ! have previ-
ouslv referred to the alarming state of litter
acv in certain portions Of the country, and
again submit for the consideration Of congress
whether some federal aid should not be extended
to public primary education wherever ade-
quate provision therefor has not already been
made.
UTAH
The Utah commission has submitted to the
secretary Of the interior it's second annual re-
port. AS a result of its labors supervising
The recent election in that Territory, pur-
suant to the act Of March 22, 1882,
it appears that the persons by that act
| disqualified, TO the number of about II, 900,
were excluded from the polls. This fact, how
| ever, affords little cause for congratulation,
and / fear that it is far from indicating any
real and substantial progress toward the extir-
| patton of polysamy. AL of the members CT
| reason to believe that they are in sympathy
| with the practices that this government is seek
ing to suppress, aud that it's effort in that re-
gard will be more likely to encounter Jheir
| opposition than receive their encouragement
and support Even if this view shonld
| happily be erroneous, the law under
which the commissioners have been acting,
should be made more effective by the incorpor-
! alton Of some such measures as they recon-
| mend and as were included in bill No. 2,23S
on the calendar Of the senate at its last session.
I am convinced that polygamy is so strongly
intrenched in the Territory of Utah that it Is
| profitless to attack with Che state weapons
which constitutional legislation provide. ia
vor. therefore, the repeal Of the act upon which
the government depends, the assumption by the
of the Territory and the establishment of
commission with such powers and duties as
shall be delegated to it by Law.
THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
is accomplishing much in the direction of the
agricultural development of the country, and
and experiments. will be found inter
estirg and valuable. At his instance a
convention of those interested in the cattle in
6ustry of the country was lately held at
Chicago. The prevalence of pleuro-pneu-
mails was one Of the chief topics of dis
cussion committee Of the convention
will invite your cooperation in investigat-
ing the causes of these diseases, and pro-
vding methods for their prevention and cure
trust that congress viii not fail at It's present
session to put Alaska under the protection of
laws. It's people have repeatedly demonstrated
against our neglect to afford them the main
tenance and projection expressly guaranteed by
the terms Of the treaty, whereby that territory
was 'ceded to the United States. For sixteen
years they have pleaded in vain for that which
they should have received without ask.
ing They have no law for the
collection of the debt, the support
OF schools the conveyance OF property, the
administration of laws, OR the enforcement of
contracts-none indeed for the punishment of
criminals except such as are afforded by Ger
tain CUSTOMS commerce and navigation acta. /
The resources Of Alaska, especially in fur,
mines and lumber, are considerable in extent
and capable Of large svelopment, while its geo.
graphical situation is one OF political and COM
mercial importance The promptings Of inter-
est, therefore, as we'll as considerations honor
and good faith, demand the immediate estab-
lishment of civil government in that Territory
RAILWAYS. :@5ssE@z55
Complaints have lately been numerous and
urgent that certain corporations controlling ia
whole or part the facilities for the Interstate