The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1883-12-13
INTERIOR bEpARrMENT.

his presentation of certain phases of the
Indian question, to his recommendations for
the repeal of the presumption and timber cul-
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. l have prayl-
ously referred to the alarming state of litter
acy 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.
The Utah commission has submitted to the
secretary of the interior its second annual re-
port. As result of it's labors supervising
tho recent election in that Territory, pur-
it appears that the persons by that act
to the number Of about 1900,
we're excluded from the polls. This fact, how
ever, affords little cause for congratuiatlon,
and l f., that it ID far from indicating any
real and substantial progress toward the extir-
the legislature ara Mormons. There is grave
reason to believe that they are in sympathy
with the practices that this government is seek
ing to suppress, and that its effort in that re-
gard will be more likely to encounter their
opposition than re ceive their encouragement
and support Even if this view shorld
happily be erroneous, the law under
which the commissioners have been acting,
should be made moro effective by the ncorpor-
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.
am convinced that polygamy is SO strongly
intrenched in the Territory of Utah that 1t Is
proftless to attack with the state weapons
which constitutional legislation provide. | ia
vor, therefore, the repeal of the act upon which
the government depends, the assumption by the
national legislature OF entire political control
Of the Territory aud 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
the report Of the commits soner giving
the results of his investigations
and experiments. will be found inter-
estirg aud valuable At his instance
convention of those interested in the cattle IN
Gus;ry of the country was lately held at
Chicago. The prevalence of pleuro- pneu-
monia and other contagious diseases of ami
mails was one of the chief topics of dis
cussiop. A committee of the convention
will invite your cooperation III inVesilgat-
ing the causes of these diseases, and pro-
riding methods for their prevention and cure.
session to put Alaska under the protection of
laws. Its people have repeatedly demonstrated
against our neglect to afford them the mair-
tenance and protection 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 tie
collection of the debt, the support
OF schools the conveyance of property, the
administration of laws, or the enforcement: of
contlacts-none indeed for the punishment OF
criminals except such as are afforded by GER
tain customs, commerce and navigation acts.
The resources of Alaska, especially IN fur,
mines and lumber, are considerable IN eXteLt
and capable of large development, while Its geo
graphical situation is one of political and COM
mercial importance. The promptings OF inter-
est therefore. as we'll as considerations Of honor
and good faith, demand the immediate estah-
lishment of civil government In that IorTltory
RAILWAYS.
Complaints have lately been numerous and
urgent that certain corporations controlling IN
whole or art a-f-AilitiAs for the Interstate
carriage Of merchandise by the great railways
of the country have resOrtad IN their dealings
with the public to divers measures UNJUST
and oppressive in their character. In some
instances the State governments have attacked
and suppressed these evils, but in
others they have been unable to al
ford adequate relief because of the
jurisdictional limitations which are imposed
upon them by the federal constitution The
question whether the national government may
lawfully interfere in the premises, and what,
if any, supervision of control 1t ought to exer-
else, is one which merits your careful coasid-
Grafton. While we cannot fail to recog-
nize the importance of the vast rail
way systems of the country, and their
great and beneficial influence upon the
development of our material wealth. We
should, on the other 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 prohtabie re-
turn upon their investment and to reasonable
freedom in their regulations must be
recognized, but it seems only just that, SO Tar
rs it's constitutional authority will permit, con-
gress should protect people at large In 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 suitable legls-
lation the forests situated upon the public 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 irrigation would be impossible without the
aid afforded by forests in contributing to the
regularity and constancy of the supply of
water During the past year severe suffering
and great loss of property have been oeca-
stoned by profnse floods, followed by periods
of unusually low water in many of the great
rivers Of the country; these irregularities were,
in great measure, caused by the removal from
about the SOURCES of the streams in question
Of the timber by which the water supply had
been nourished and protected. The preserva-
ton of such portions of the forests on the ma
tional domain as essentially contribute to the
equable flow Of important water courses is of
HE highest conse quence. Important tributaries
of the Missouri, the Columbia and the Sas-
katchewan, rise in the mountains of Montana,
States between the Blackfeet and Fiathead H.
dian reservations. This region is unsuitable for
settlement, but upon the rivers which flow from
it. depends in the future the agricultural
development Of vast tract Of country. The
attention Of congress is called to the necessity
Of the public domain, and establishing there a
forest preserve.
INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITIONS.
The industrial exhibitions which have been
held in the United States during the present
wear attracted the attention of many foreign
countries, where the announcement of those
enterprises had been made public through the
foreign representatives of this government
The Southern exhibits at Louisville were
largely attended by the exhibitors of foreign
countries, Notwithstanding the absence of
any professional character in those undertak-
next year at New Orleans, in commemoration
Of the century Of the first shipment of cotton
from . port OF the United States, bids fair to
meet with like gratifying success. Under the
act of congress Of the 10th of February, 1883,
declaring that exposition to be national
and international in its character,
the foreign governments with which the
United States maintains relations, have been
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
mitted. / ask for it your careful attention, es-
pecially for those portions which, relate to as
sements for taxes and water supply.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
WORKINGS OF THE LAW.
The commissioners appointed under the act
Of Jan. 16, 1883, entitled ''An act 10 regulate
and improve the civil service Of the United
States" entered promptly upon the discharge
Of their duties. A series Of rules framed in az
cordance with the spirit Of the statute
| ~as arvrovAd And ,,rnrnu1rnted by the