The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-12-05

for more stringent legislation to prevent
frauds under the pension laws. The sta.
tutes which prescribe the definitions and
punlshments Of crimes relating to pensions
could doubtless be more effective by Ger
tain amendments and additions which are
pointed out in the Secretary's report.
1have previously referred TO the alarm.
ing state Of illiteracy In certain portions oil
the country and again submit for the con.
sideration Of Congress whether some federal
aid should be extended TO public primary
education wherever adequate provisions
therefor has not already been made.
THE MORMON QUESTION.
The Utah Commission has submitted to
the Secretary Of the Interior its second an
nunl report as result Of its labors in the
supervision Of the recent election in that
Territory pursuant to the act Of March %,
1882. 1t appears that the persons by that act
disqualified TO the number OF about 1900,
were excluded from the polls. This fact,
however, affords little cause for congratula-
ton, and fear that 1t Is far from indicat.
ing any real and substantial progress to-
ward to the extirpation Of polygamy. All
OF the members Of the legislature are Nor
mons. There Ia grave reason 10 believe
that they are in sympathy with the prac-
tees that this government Ia seeking to
suppress, and that its effort In that regard
will be more likely to encounter their op-
position than receive their encouragement
and support. Even il this view should
happily be erroneous the law under
which the Commissioners have been acting
should be made more effective by the in
corporation OF some such stringent
measures as they recommend as were in
cluded in Bill No. 2,22S, on the calendar Of
the Senate at Its last session. / am con-
WINGED, however, that polygamy has be-
come 80 strongly entrenched in the Terri |
tory OF Utah, that It is protitless to attack It
with any but the stongest weapons which
constitutional legislation can fashion. I
favor the repeal Of the act upon which the
existing Government depends, the assump- |
ton by the National Legislature Of the en-.
tire political control Of the Territory, and
the establishment Of commission with |
such powers OF duties as shall be delegated
to 1t by law.
The Department OF Agriculture Ia accom-
plishing much In the direction OF agricul.
tural development OF the country, and the
report OF the Commissioner giving the
results OF hisI Investigations and expert
ments will be found interesting and val1a-
BILE. At his instance and convention OF
those interested in cattle industry OF the
country was lately held ct Chicago. The
prevalence OF pleuro, pneumonia and
other contagious diseases Of animals was
one Of the chief topics Of discussion. A
committee Of the convention will invite
Of these diseases, and providing methods
for their prevention and cure.
ALAsKA's NEEDS.
trust that Congress will not fail at It's
present session to put Alaska under the
protection OF the law. It's people have re-
peatedly demonstrated against our neglect
to afford them the maintenance and pro.
lection expressly guaranteed by the terms
Of the treaty whereby that territory was
ceded 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 COL
lection Of debts, the support cf education,
the conveyance OF property. the admins
tration OF estates, or the enforcement oil j
contracts; none indeed for the punishment
OF criminals, except such as offend sgainst
certain 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 in It's geographical situation, Is one Of
political and commercial importance. The
Of interest therefore, as well as
the considerations Of honor and good faith,
demand the immediate establishment oil
civil government In that territory.
UNJUST DISCRIMINATION CT RAILROADS.
Complaints have lately been numerous
and urgent that certain corporations con.
trolling in whole or in part the facilities
for the interstate carriage OF persons and
merchandise over the great railroads OF the
country have resorted to in their dealings
with the public, to diverse measures un-
Just and oppressive in their character. In
some instance the State Governments have
attacked and suppressed these evils, but
in others they have been unable to afford
adequate relief, because Of the Jurisdiction.
al and limitations which are enforced upon
them by the federal constitution. The
question, how far the National Government
may lawfully interfere In the premises,
and what, II any, supervision ei:control
II ought to exercise, Ia one which merits
your careful consideration. While we can.
not fail to recognizes the importance OF the
vast railway systems OF the country, and
their great and beneficial influence upon
L. lavatnnonark AT Tl1atarta1 ,yaa1kb
we should on the other hand remember
that no individual and no corporation
ought to be invested with absolute power
over any other citizens or class Of citizens.
The right Of these railway corporations to
fair and profitable return upon their in.
vestments and to reasonable freedom in
their regulations must be recognized,
but It seems only Just that so
far s ita constitutional authority
will permit Congress should protec. the
people at large in their inter,8tate traffic
against acts OF injustice which the State
Governments are powerless to prevent,
TIE PUBLIC DOMAIN.
In mylsstannual message called attention
to the necessity Of protecting by suitable
legislation the forests situated upon the pub
lie domain. In many portions Of the West
the pursuit Of general agriculture Is only
made practicable by resort to irrigation.
While successful irrigation would be i'm.
possible without the aid afforded by for.
ests In contributing to the regularity and |
constancy Of tho supply Of water. During
the past year severe suffering and great
loss Of property have been occasioned by
protuse floods, followed by periods Of I'M
usually low water in many Of the great
rivers OF the country. These irregularities |
were in great measure caused by the re-
moval from about the sources Of the streams
in question Of the timber which the water |
supply had been nourished and protected.