The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-12-14

1corrjace 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 owls, but in
Others they have been unable TO af-
ford adequate relief because of this
iurisdictional limitations which are imposed
upon them by the federal constitution. The
question whether the national government may
lawfully interfere i'll the premises, aud what,
if any. supervision of control 1t ought to exer-
else, is one which merits your careful consid-
Grafton, While we cannot faii to recog-
nize the Importance of Tho vast rail-
great and beneficial influence upon the
development Of our material wealth. We
should, on the other hand, remember that no
individual corporation ought 10 be invested
with absolute power over the interest or any
other citizen or class of citizens The right of
those railway corporations to any profitable re-
turn upon their Investment and to reasonable
freedom in their regulations must be
recognized, but it seems only just tnat, so far
as its constitutional authority VIII permit, con-
gress should protect people at large 10 their
interstate traffic against au act Of injustice
which State governments are powerless to
prevent
FOREST PRESERVES.
In my last annual message l called attention
to the necessity of protecting by suitable legis-
lation the forests situated upon the public do
main. 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 III contributing to the
regularity and constancy OF the supply of
water. During tho past year severe suffering
aud great loss of property have D en- occa-
stoned by profuse floods, followed " periods
of unusually low water IN many OF the great
rivers of the county; these irregularities were,
in great measure, caused by tho removal from
about the sources of the streams i'll question
of the timber by which tho water supply had
been nourished and protected. The preserva-
ton of such portions of the forests on tho ma
tional domain as essentially contribute to the
euuable flow of important water courses Is of
the highest consequence. Important tributaries
of the Missouri, the Columbia and The Sas-
k%atchewan, rise in The mountains of Montana,
now the northern boundary OF the United
States. between the Blackfeet and Fiathead In
dian reservations, This region 10 unsui able for
settlement, but upon the rivers which flow from
il, depends in the future the agricultural
development of a vast 1ratt of country. The
attention Of congress Is called to tho necessity
of withdrawing from the pubic salo this part
of the public domain, and establishing there a
forest preserve.
INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITIONS.
The indu-triai eXhlbitious which have been
held in the United States during the present
wear attracted the attention OF many foreign
1 VI iSs III tb' VI llCSb
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
countries, Notwithstanding the absence of
any professional chaiae T in those undertake.
ings, The centennial exposition to be held
next year at New Orleans, in cOmmemoration
of the century of the first shipment of cotton
from a port of the United States, bids fair to
meet with like gratifying success. Under the
act of congress of the 10th of February, 1883,
declaring that exposition to be national
and international in its character.
the foreign governments with which the
United States maintains relations, have been
invited to participate. Thu promoters OF this
important undertaking have already received
assurances of the lively interest it has excited
abroad.
The report of the commissioners of
the District Of Columbia is herewith trans
miited. | ask for it your careful attention., es-
pecially for those portions which relate to as
sements for taxes and water supply.