The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1883-12-13

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
tam customs, commerce and navigation acts
Tie resources of Alaska, especially in fur,
mines and lumber, are considerable in extent
and capable of large development, while it's geo.
graphical situation is one Of political and COM
mercial importance. The premptings Of inter
est therefore. as well as considerations Of honor
and good faith, demand the immediate estab-
lishment Of civil government in that Territory.
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
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-
jurisdichonal 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 it ought to exer-
Grafton. While we cannot fail to recog-
nize the Importance of the vast rail
way systems of the country, and their
great and beneficial influence upon the
development OF our material wealth. We
should, on the other hand, remember that no
with absolute power over the interest of any
other citizen or class Of citizens. Tie right Of
those railway corporations to any profitable re-
turn upon their Investment anu TO reasonaD
freedom in their regulations must be
recognized, but it seems only just that, 80 far
as it's constitutional authority will permit, con-
gress should protect people at large in their
interstate traffic against an act of injustice
which State governments are poWerless to
prevent
In my last annual message called attention
to the necessity of protecting by suitable legis-
lation the forests situated upon the public do
MAN, In many portions OF the West the pur-
suit OF general agriculture is only made prac-
ticable by resort to irrigation. While success
full 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-
of unusually low water III 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
Of the timber by which the water supply had
been nourished and protected. The preserva-
ton of SUCH portions Of the forests on the ma
tional 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 Sass
katchewan. rise in the mountains of Montana,
now the northern boundary of the United
States, between the Biackfeet and Fiathead 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 vast trait of country. The
attention of congress is called to the necessity
Of withdrawing from the pubic sale this part
IT the public domain, and establishing there
forest preserve.
The industrial exhibitions which have been
held in the United States during the present
year attracted the attention of many foreign
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
notwithstanding the absence of
any professional character in those undertak-
lngs. The centennial exposition to be held
next year at New Orleans, in commemoration
of the century of the first shipment Of cotton
from port Of the United States, bids fair to
meet with like gratifying success Under the the
act of congress of the 10th of February, 1883,
declaring that exposition to be national
and international in it's character,
tho foreign governments with which the
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. ask for it your careful attention, es-
pecially for those portions which relate to as
for taxes and water supply.