Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-12-28

the present session. In the natur, of things,
your deliberations would probably be aided
slightly, if at all, by my particular sugges
tions which l might now submit. avow my
be authorized by law to exercise some sort OF
supervision over Interstate telegraph COM
munication, and l express the hope that for
vised which will receive your appreciation.
JURORS N IN FEDERAL COURTS.
The Attorne y-deneral criticizes, in his re-
port, the provisions of the existing law fixing
the fees Of jurors and witnessesin the Federal
II tho act Of Feb; g, IFS, though some Of
statutes which had been passed many
years previous. 1t is manifest that such
compensation as might, when these laws
reasonable, would in many instances
be justly regarded at the present day as mad
equate. l concur with the Attorney General
in the belief that the statutes should be revis-
ed by which these fees are regulated. So, too,
should the laws which regulate the compensa-
ton Of District Attorneys and Marshals. They
should be paid wholly by salaries instead OF in
part by fees, as is now the case. The change
would prove to be a measure of economy, and
would discourage the institution of needless
to be feared, have, in some instances, been
conducted for the mere sake of personal gain.
DEPARTMENT.
Much interesting and varied Information is
contained In the report of the Secretary of tho
Interior. l particularly call your attention to
his presentation of certain phases Of tho In.
the repeal OF the Presumption and Timber
Culture acts, and for more stringent legisla-
ton to prevent frauds underline Pension laws,
The statutes which prescribe the definitions
n dpunishments of crimes relating to pom
sions could doubtless be made more effective
by certain amendments and additions which
i ara nnlntad ont In fhn SnnrAfa rvfS r.oVNrf
PRIMARY A
Ihave previously referred to the alarming
country, and again submit for the considera-
ton OF Congress whether some Federal aid
should . not be extended to public primary edu-
cation wherever adequate provision therefor
has not already been made.
THE ii
The Utah Commission has submitted to the
Secretary OF the Interior its second annual re-
port as 9 result of its labor in supervising the
recent election in that Territory, pursuant to
the act OF March q, 1882. It appears that the
This fact, however, Affords little
substantial progress toward the extirpation
Of polygamy. All of the members Of tle
Legislature are Mormons: There is grave
with the practices that this Government Is
that regard will be more likely to encounter
SSAA SAGi CSOASC llCl
ment and support. Even il this view should
happily be erroneous, the law under which the
commission have been acting, should be made
more effective by the incorporation of
some such stringent measures as they reco n
mend, as were INCLUDED in bill No. 2258 on t e
calendar of the Senate, at its last session. L
am convinced, however, that %polygamy has
become 50 strongly intrenched in the Terri
tory OF Utah, that it is Proftless to attack it
with any but the strongest weapons which
constitutional legislation can fashion. flavor,
therefore, the repeal of the act upon viii Iii
the existing Government depends, the rs
SUMPTION ~ the National legislation of the
entire political control of the territory and
the establishment OF a commission, with such
powers and duties as shall be delegated to it
by law.
AGRICULTURAL
Inc Department OF Agriculture is accom-
pl1sh1ng much in the direction of the a%sricult-
ural development of the country, and the re.
port of the Commissioner giving the results
OF his investigations and experiments will be
found interesting and valuable. At his in
cattle industry Of the country was lately
held at Chicago. The prevalence of pleuro-
and other contagious diseases of
animals was one Of the Chief topics of discus
sion, and u committee of the Convention will
invite your cooperation in investigating tho
causes OF these diseases, and providing
methods for their prevention and cure.
ALASKA.
trust that Congress will not fail, at its
present session, to put Alaska under the pro-
lection OF law. Its people have repeatedly
demonstrated against our neglect to afford
them the maintenance and protection ev-
R tpeatgy, w fsacqgt ssat f y tho te was ce Of tile e
the United States. For sixteen years they
have pleaded in vain for that which
a safi snG T%sy nave nave ns'0l lave f GI'h s1e d 5,,H
lection of debts, the support of education.
the conveyance OF property, tho admin
Of contracts, nor, indeed, for the punishment
of criminals, except such rs is afforded
aga1nstcertain customs, and navi-
cially in fur, mines and lumber. are consider
able in extent and capable of large develop
ment, while in its geographical situation it is
The pronaptings of interest, therefore, as well
as considerations Of honor and good faith. de-
mand the immediate establishment Of civil
government in that country.
INTERSTATE COMMERCE.
Complaints have lately been numerous and
urgent that certain corporations controlling,
in whole or in part, the facilities for the inter.
State carriage of persons and merchandise
over the great railroads of the country, have
I%esorted, In their dealings with the public, to
state governments lave a tsdasfs a and
suppressed app Jesse these these evils, but in others they
because of the jurisdictional limitations
which are imposed upon them by the Federal
CONSTITUTION. The question how far the Ma
tional Government may lawfully interfere IN
the premises. ana what. if any. supervision
or control it ought to exercise, is one which
Hierlts your careful CONSIDERATION. While we
can not fail to recognize the importance Of
the vast railway systems of the country. ard
dneir great and beneficial influence upon the
should, on the other hand, remember that no
individual and no corporation ought to be in
vested with absolute power over the interest
right of these railway corporations to award
any profitable return upon their investments,
ana to reasonable freedom in their regula.
tons, must be recognized. But it seems on.y
Just that, SO fur as its constitutional authority
VIII nl,,ppe rmmit Congress should protect tie
people at large, in their, Interstate traffic
ernments are powerless to prevent.
THE NATIONS FORESTS,
In my last annual message l called atte,l-
ton to the necessity Of protecting by suitable
legislation the forests situated upon the pub.
ne domain. In many portions of tho West
made practicable by resort to Irrigation.
Wnlle successful irrigation would be ilnpossi.
PIE without the aid afforded by forests in con-
| trlDOtiOQ to tho rapu1urjtv onJ