Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1883-12-05

eVohohiy, anu Wouiu discourage the in
stitution of needless and oppressiy,
legal proceedings, which il Is To h,
feared have in some instances be o.
conducted for the mere sake of nor
sonal gain. Much interesting anf
valid Information is contained In m.
report of the
SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.
particularly call your attention /,
ms presentation of certain phases q,
the Indian question, his recommen.
dation for the repeal of the pre.emn.
ton and timber acts, and for more
stringent Legislation to prevent frauds
under the pension law. The statutes
which prescribe the definitions and
punishments of crimes relating 10 nan.
sions could doubtless be n,ada
more effective by certain amend.
ments and additions which
are pointed out in the secretary's re-.
port. have previously referred To
the alarming state of illiierary in Ger.
tain portions of the county, and again
submit for the consideration of con.
gress whether some federal aid shopld
be extended to public primary educa-
ton wherever adequate provision
thereon has not already been made.
THE UTAH COMMISSION
has submitted to the secretary of tho
interior its second annual report of.its
labors in the supervision of the cleo.
ton in that territory, pursuant to the
act of March 30, 1882. 1t appears that
persons by that act disqualified to the
member of about 12,00O We're
excluded from the polls. This
fact, however, affords little
cause for congratulation, and | fear
that is far from indicating real and
substantial progress toward the eXtir-
patton of polygamy. All the men,
bers of the Legislature are Mormons.
There are grave reasons to believe
they are in sympathy with the prac-
tices that the government is seeking
to suppress, and its effort in that regard
will be more likely to encounter their
opposition than to receive their en-
enlargement and support. Even If
this view should happily be erroneous,
the law under which the Utah com
mission has been acting should be
more effective by the incorporation
of some such stringent meas
ures as were included in
bill No. 2,23s in the calendar of the
senate ut its last session. | am con-
WINGED, however. that polygamy has
become so strongly intrencned in the
territory of Utah that it is profitless to
attack it with any but the stoutest
weapons which constitutional legisla-
ton can fashion. | favor, therefore, n
repeal of the act upon which the ex-
listing government depends, the AS
sumption by the national Legislature of
entire political control in the territory,
and the establishment of commits
sion with such powers and duties as
shall be delegated toit by law.
THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
is accomplishing much in the direction
of the agricultural department of
the country. and the report of
the commissioner giving the results
of his investigation and experiments
will be found interestingand valuable.
At his instance, convention of those
interested in the cattle industry of the
country was lately held at Chicago.
The prevalence of pleuro-pneumonia
and other contagious diseases Of ami
mails was one of the chief topics of dis
\ commission OF the conven-
ton will invite your cooperation in
the causes of these dis
eases and providing methods for their
and cure. | trust that con-
gress will not fail at its present ses-
sion to put
ALASKA
under the protection of law. Its
people have repeatedly demonstrated
against our neglect to afford them
the maintenance and protection
expressly guaranteed by the terms of
he treaty whereby that territory was
,eded to the United States. For six
cen wears they have pleaded in vain
or that which they should have re-
eived without the asking. They have |
10 law for the collection of debts, the !
Import OF education. the conveyance
II property. the administration of
states or the enforcement of contracts; |
zone indeed for the punishment OF |
riminals, except such MS are afforded |
" certain customs of commerce and !
The resources of Alaska,
md especially in fnrs, mines |
nd timber, are considerable /
N extent and capable |
# large developments, while its geo
graphical situation is one of political
nd commercial Importance. The
of interest, Therefore, as
veil rs considerations of honor and |
.ood faith, demand the immediate es-
Adjustment of civil government in
hat territory. Complaints have lately
een numerous and urgent that certain
controlling in whole or
art the facilities for the interstate
arriage of persons and merchandise
II the great
RAILROADS OF THE COUNTRY
ave resorted in their dealings with
he public to divers measures uli-
lst and oppressive in their
haracter. In some Instances
he state governments have
ttacked and suppressed these, but In
theirs they have been unable to afford
deouate relief because fthe jurisdic-
ional limitations which are imposed
n them by the federal constitution.
The question how far the national gov
rnment may lawfully interfere in the
,emises, and what ii any supervision
r control II ought to exercise. Is one
,hich merits your careful considera-
ion. While we could not fail TO rec
gnize the Importance of the vast rail-
md system of the country in their
rent and beneficial influence upon
he DEVELOPMENT of our own national
cath we should on the