McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1883-12-13
INTERNAL AFFAIRS.

tion to his presentation of certain phrases of
the Indian question, to his recommendations
for the repeal of the presumption and tim
her culture acts, and for more stringent
legislation to prevent frauds under the pen
sion laws. The statutes which preserve the
definitions and punishments Of crimes rela-
ting to pensions could doubtless be made
more effective by certain amendments and
additions which are pointed out in the treas
nry report.
FEDERAL AID FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
l have previously referred to the alarming
state of illiteracy in certain portions OF the
country, and again submit for the consider
alton of congress whether some federal aid
shorld be extended to public primary edu-
cation when adequate provision therefore
mas not already been made.
THE poLYGAMY ULCER.
The Utah commission has submitted to the
secretary of the interior its second annual re-
port, with full particulars of It's labors in that
territory. pursuant to the act OF March ~
1852. 1t appeals that the persons by that act
disqualified, to the number of about 1900,
were excluded from the polls, This fact, how
ever, affords little cause for congratulatiOn,
and fear that it ia far from Indicating any
real and substantial progress toward the cX-
tirpation of polygamy. All OF the members
of the legislature are Mormons. There is
grave reason to believe that they are in SYM
pathy with the practices that this government
is seeking to suppress, and that its efforts i'll
that regard Wilt be more likely to encounter
their opposition than to receive their eneour-
agement and support,
MORE STRINGENT LAWS NEEDED.
Even If this view should happily be err
roneous the law under which the commits
sioners have been acting should be made
more effectual by the incorporation of some
such stringent measures as they recon-
mend, As were included in bill No. 2, 23S,
on the calendar of the senate ut Its last ses-
sion. l am convinced, however, that
polygamy hiss become SO strongly intrench-
ed in the Territory of Utah that it is profit
less to attack with any but the stoutest
weapons which constitutional legislation can
make. favor, therefore, the repeal of the
act upon which the existing government de-
pends, the resumption by the national
legislature of the entire political control of
the territory, and the establishment of 4
commission with such powers and duties
as shall be delegated to it by law.
AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT..
The department Of agriculture is accom-
plishing much in the direction of the agri-
cultural development of the country and
the report Of the commissioner giving the
results of his investigations and expert
ments will be found interesting and valu-
able. At his instance a convention Of those
interested in the cattle industry of the coun-
try was lately held at Chicago. The preva-
lence Of pleuro-pneumonia and other con-
tagious diseases OF animals was one of the
chief topics of discussion. A committee Of
the convention will invite your cooperation
in investigating the causes Of these diseases
and providing methods for their prevention
und cure
THE NEEDS OF ALASKA.
l trust that congress will not fail at its
present session to put Alaska under the pro-
lection Of law. It's people have repeatedly
demonstrated against our neglect to afford
them the maintenance and protection ex-
pressly guaranteed by the terms Of the
treaty whereby that territory was coded to
the United States. For sixteen years they
have pleaded in vain for that which they
should have received without the asking.
They have no law for the collection Of debts.
the support OF education, the conveyance OF
property, the administration OF estates or
the enforcement OF contracts; none, indeed,
for the punishment OF criminals except such
as offered against certain customs, COM
merce and navigation acts.
The resources of Alaska, especially in fur,
mines and lumber, are considerable in eX-
tent and capable Of large development,
while Its geographical situation is one of
political and commercial importance. The
promptlngs of interest, therefore, as well
az considerations of honor and good faith
demand the immediate establishment Of
civil government in that territory.
RAILWAY ABUsEs.
Complaints have lately been frequent and
urgent that certain corporations, controlling
in whole or In part the facilities for the in
ter-state carriage OF persons and merchan-
disc upon the great railroads Of the country,
have resorted in their dealings with the pub
lie to diverse measures, unjust and oppres
sive in their character. In some instances
the state courts have attacked and sup
pressed these evils, but In others they have
been unable to afford an equal protection
because Of the jurisdictional limitations
which are imposed upon them by the feder-
al corporation.
GOVERNMENT SUPERVISION.
The question, how far the national gov
eminent may lawfully interfere in the prem
iscs, and what, if any, supervision or con-
troll 1t ought to exercise, lie one which merits
your careful consideration. While we can
not fail 10 recognize the Importance OF the
vast railway systems Of the country, and
their great and beneficial influences upon
the development OF our material wealth, we
should, ON the other hand, remember that
the individual and no corporation ought to
be invested with absolute power over the
interest Of other citizens or class of citizens.
CONGRESS SHOULD PROTECT THE PRoPLE.
The right OF the railway corporations to
demand profitable return upon their in
vestments and to 3 reasonable freedom in
their regulations must be recognized, but it
seems only just, SO far as its constitutional
authority will permit, that congress should
protect the people at large in their inter-
state traffic against acts OF injustice which
the state governments are powerless to pre-
vent.