Morris tribune., 1883-12-05
INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
EVILS TO BE REMEDIED.


Much interest and varied information is con-
tanned 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
the repeal Of the presumption 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
isbments Of crimes pertaining to pensions, could
doubtless be made more effective by certain
amendments and additions, which are pointed
out in the secretarv's report l have pravl-
ously referred to the alarming state of Hitter
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 it's second annual re-
port As result of its labors supervising
the recent election in that Territory, pur-
it appears that the persons by that act
disqualified, to the number of about l2,OOO,
were excluded from the polls. This fact, how
ever, affords little cause for congratulation,
and l fear that it is far from indicating any
real and substantial progress toward the extir-
patton of polygamy, Ali of the members CT
the legislature are 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 It's effort in that re-
gard will be more likely to encounter their
opposition than re ceive their encouragement
and support Even if this view should
happily be erroneous, the law under
which the commissioners have been acting,
should be made more effective by the lncorpor-
alton of some such measures as they recon-
mend and as were included in bill No. z, Z3o
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
profitless to attack with the state weapons
which constitutional legislation provide. ia
vor, therefore, the repeal OF the act upon Whlch
the government depends, the assumption by the
national legislature of entire political control
of the Territory and the establishment of q
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 commissioner giving
the results of his Investigations
and experiments, will be found inter
estirg and valuable. At his instance
convention Of those interested in the cattle IN.
dusiry of the country was lately held az
Chicago. The prevalence Of pleuro-pneu-
monia and other contagious diseases OF AMI
mails was one Of the chief topics OF dis
cussion. A committee of the convention
will invite your cooperation IN lnvesu9at-
viding methods for their prevention and cure
trust that congress will not fail at its present
session to put Alaska under the protection OF
laws. Its 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 coded to the United States. For sixteen
wears they have pleaded in vain for that which
they should have received without ask
ing. They have ~ law for the
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 acts
The resources Of Alaska, especially In fur,
mines and lumber, are considerable IN extent
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 well considerations OF honor
and good faith, demand the immediate estab-
lishment of OWL government In that Territory
RAILWAYS.
Complaints have lately been numerous and
urgent that certain corporations controlling IN
whole or part the facilities for the interstate
carriage of merchandise by the great railways
of the country have resorted 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 af-
ford adequate relief because of the
iurisdictional limitations which are imposed
upon them by the federal constitution. The
aneetion whether the national government may
lawfully interfere in the premises, and what,
AZ anv. supervision of control 1T ought to exer-
else. is one which merits your careful co sid
Grafton While we cannot fail to recJg-
.nize the importance of the vast rail
way systems of the country. and their
great and beneficial influence upon the
9avelopment Of our material wealth. We
should. on the other hand, remember that no
Individual corporation ought TO be invested
with absolute power over the interest of any
other citizen or class of citizens. The right Of
fhosa railway corp0rations TO any profitable re-