The Dickinson press., 1883-12-15

carriage OF merchandise by the great railway
OF the country have resortsd in their dealings
with the public to divers measures unjust
and oppressive in their character. In some
and suppressed these evils, but in
Others they have been unable TO af-
ford adequate relief because of ths
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 consid-
Grafton, While We cannot fail to recog-
nize the importance Of the vast rail
great and beneficial influence upon the
development Of our material wealth. We
should, on the other hand, remember that ne
Individual corporation ought 10 be invested
with absolute power over the interest of any
other citizen or class of citizens. The right IT
those railway corporations to any profitable re-
turn upon their Investment and to reasonable
freedom in their regulations must be
recognized, but it seems only just that, 30 far
as its constitutional authority will permit. con-
gress should protect people at large in their
interstate traffic against an act Of injustice
prevent
oREsT PRESERVES.
In my last annual message I called attention
to the necessity of protecting BY suitable legis-
latlon the forests situated upon the public do
main. In many portions ofthe West the pur-
suit OF general agriculture is only made prac-
ticable by resort to irrigation. While success
ful 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 occa-
stoned by profuse 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
been nourished and protected. The preserva-
ton of such portions of the forests on the ma
tlonal domain as essentially contribute to the
equable flow Of important water courses is Of
the highest consequence Important tributaries
of the Missouri, the Columbia and the Sas-
katchewan, rise in the mountains of Montana.
now the northern boundary of the United
States, between the Blackfeet and Flathead In
dian reservations. This region is unsuitable for
settlement, but upon the rivers which flow from
it, depends in the future the agricultural
development of a vast tract of country. The
attention of congress is called to the necessity
of withdrawing from the public sale this part
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
year 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.
ings. The centennial exposition to be held
next year at New Orleans, in commemoration
Of the century of the first shipment of cotton
from a 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
ana International in it's character.
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. 1 ask for it your careful attention, es-
pecially for those portions which relate to as
sements for taxes and water supply.