The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-12-05


acts. and for more stringent legislation 10
prevent frauds under the pension laws. The
statutes which prescribe the definitions
and punishmentS of crimes relating 10 PEN
sions could doubtless be made more effect
i've hy certain amendments and additions
which are pointed cut In the Sccretary's
report.
have previously referred 10 the alarm
ing state of illiteracy In certain portions OF
the country and again submit for the con-
sidcration of Congress whether some Fed
eral aid should not he extended 90 public
primary education wherever adequate pro-
vision therefor has not already been made.
THE MORMON QUESTION.
The Utah Commission has submitted TO
the Secretary Of the Interior It's second an
nual report rs a result OF its labors in SUI
pervising tn recent election i'm that Terri
tory pursuant to the act OF March 20, 1881.
Ii appears that persons 10y that act dis
qualified TO the number Of about $4,000
were excluded from the polls. This fact.
however, affords little cause for coneratu-
lati0n. and fear that IL is far from indi-
eating any real and substantial progress to-
ward the cXtrpaiion Of polygamy. All the
mcmhcrs-clCct Of the Legislature are Nor
mons. There Is grave reason 10 believe
that they are in sympathy with the prac-
tees that this Government is seeking 10
suppress. and that its efforts IN that re-
gard will he more likely TO encOun-
ter their opposition than TO receive
their encouragement and support. Even
il this view should happily DC erroneous
the law under which the commissioners
have been acting should be made more ef-
ieCtiyc by the incorporation OF some such
stringent amendments IS they recommend
and as were included in Bill No. 223S on
the calendar OF the Senate at its last ses-
sion. I am convinced. however. that po-
lyWamy has become 30 strongly cnlrenckd
into the Territory OF Utah that il is profit
less o. attack it with any but the stouteSi
weapons which constitutional legislation
can fashion. favor. therefore. the repeal
OF the act upon whic the existing govern
mcnt depends. the assumption by the Ma
ti0na Legislature Of the entire political
control OF the Territory. and the establish
ment OF n commission with such powers
and duties rs shall be delegated 10 il 10y
law
AGRICULTURAL. sc.
The Department Of Agriculture Is ac-
comphShing much i'm the direction Of the
agricultural development Of the country.
and the report Of the Commissioner giving
the results Of his investigations and expert
mentS will be found interesting and yalua-
bic. Al bis instance n convention OF those
interested IN the cattle industry OF the
country was lately held at Chicago. The
prevalence Of pleur0-pneumonta and other
contagious diseases OF animals was one OF
tie chief topics Of discussion. 4 commit
tee OF the convention will invite your CO.
operation in investigating the causes OF
these diseases AID providing methods foI
their prevention and cure.
CIvu. GOVERNMENT FOR ALASKA.
I trust that Congress will not fail at its
present session % put Alaska under the
protection Of law. Its people have repeat
edlv demonstrated against our neglect 70
afford them the maintenance aQd protection
exp, csSly guaranteed by the terms Of the
treaty whereby that Territory was coded ia
the United states. Fer sixteen year, 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 con-
vcyance Of property, the administration OF
estates. or the enforcement OF contracts
none indeed, for the punishment OF crimi-
mails. except such as offend against certain
customs, commerce, and navigation acts
The resources OF Alaska. especially in fur
mines. and lumber, are considerable in eX'
tent. and capable Of large development
while it, geographical situation is one OF
political and commercial importance. The
prOmptings OF interest, therefore, as wei
rs considerations Of honor and good faith
demand the immediate establishment OF
civil government in that Territory.
RAILROADS.
Complaints have lately been numerous
and urgent that certain corporations, con
trolling in whole or IN part the facilities
for the interstate carnage OF persons an(
merchandise over the great railroads OF the
country, have resorted in their dealings
with the public 10 divers measures uniuS
and oppressive in their character. In some
instances the state governments have at
tackled and suppressed these evils, but II
others they have been unable 10 afford ade
quate relief because OF the iurisdic
tiOnal limitations which are imposed
upon them by the Federal COpstllu
ton. The question. How far the nationa
Government may lawfully interfere IN the
premises. and what. if any, SUPERVISION OF
control il ought 10 exercise? IS one when
merits your careful consideration. WINE
we connot fail 10 recognize the Importance
of the vast railway systems OF the country
and their great and bcneticent influence
upon the development OF our materia
wealth, we should, on the other hand, re
member that no individual and no cOrporC
ton ought TO be invested with absolute
power over the interest OF any other citi
zen, or class of citizens. The right o
these railway corporations to fair and pro
fitabe return upon their investments, anC
to reasonable freedom in their regulations
must be recognized, but il seems only JUS
that so far a. its constitutional authority
will permit Congress should protect th'
people at large in their interstate traiii'
against acts of injustice which the STAT
Governments are pOwerlcss to prevent.
In nv last annual message ! called atten
ton 10 the necessity Of protecting by suit
able legislation the forests situated upoi
the pubic domain. I'm many portions o
the West the pursuit of general agricul
turc is only made practicable by resort It
IRRIGATION. while successful irrigation
would itself be impossible without the AK
afforded by forests in contributing 10 th
regularity and constancy OF the supply 0
water. During the past year severe SUI
fcring and great loss Of property haV
been occasioned by proiuse floods, followed
bv periods of unusually low water IL
MANY of the great rivers OF the country
These Irregularities were in great measun
caused by the removal from about th
sources Of the streams in question OF Tn
timber by which the water supply nat
been nourished and protected. The pre-
seryation OF such portions OF the forest
on the national domain as essentially con
tribute to the equable flow OF importan
water-courses is OF the highest conse
auence to the important tributaries OF I'm