The Livingston enterprise. [volume] (Livingston, Mont.) 1883-1914, 1884-12-06

be most judiciOusly effected. One OF the
gravest of the problems which appeal to the
wisdom of congress for solution is the sscer-
tainment of the most effective means of in
creasing our foreign trade and thus relieving
the depression under which our industries
are now Ianguishing.
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
Of the varied governmental concerns in
charge of the interior department, the report
of its secretary presents an interesting sum-
mary. Among the topics deserving of par
ticular attention, refer you to his observa-
tions respecting our Indian affairs, the pre-
emption and timber culture acts, the failure
Of railroad companies to take title to lands
granted by the government, and the opera
tions of the pension Office, the patent Office,
the census bureau and the bureau of educa-
ton.
Allusion has been made already to the cir
cumstance that both as between different In
dian tribes, and as between Indians and the
whites, the past year has been one of un-
broken peace. In this circumstance the
president is glad to find justification for the
policy of the government in dealing with the
Indian question, and confirmation of the
views which were fully expressed in his first
communication to the Forty seventh con-
gress. The secretary urges new enactment
OF state for the punishment of crimes co:,i-
mitted OH Indian reservations and recon-
mends the passage Of the bill, now pending
in the house of representatives, for the pur-
chase of tract of 900 square miles from
the Sioux reservation. Both these measures
are worthy OF approval. concur with him
also in advising the repeal of the pre-emption
law, the enactment of statutes resolving the
present legal complications tending the
lapses of grants to railroads and the funding
| of the debt OF the several Pacific railroads
under such guaranty as shall insure its ulti-
mate payment. The report of the Utah
| commission will he read with interest 1t
discloses the results OF recent legislation
looking to the prevention and punishment
of polygamy in that Territory lstill believe
if that abominabe practice can not be sup
pressed by law, it can only be by the most
radical legislation consistent with restraints
of the constitution.
| GEN. GRANT.
l recommend that in recognition of the
eminent services of U. S. Grant, late general
of the armies of the United States and twice
president Of the nation, congress confer upon
him suitable pension.
| Certain of the measures that seem to mt
necessary and expedicnt. have now, in obe-
dience to the constitution. recommended tol
your adoption; as respects others of no les:
importance, shall content myself with re-
newing the recommendations already made
to congress without restating the ground:
upon which such recommendations wer'
based. The preservation of forests on TIN
public domain, the granting OF government
aid for popular education, the amendment 0
the federal constitution so as to make effective
the disapproval by the president of particular
items i'll appropriation bills, the enactmen
of statutes in regard to the filing of vacan
cies in the presidential Office and the deter.
mining of vexed questions respecting pres:-
dental inability, are measures which may
receive your serious consideration. AS thu
time draws nigh when l am about to retire
from public service, can not refrain from
expressing to the members of the nationa
legislature, with whom have been brough
into personal and political intercourse, m,
sincere appreciation of their unfailing cour
tesies and harmonious cooperation with th'
executive in so many measures calculated
to promote the best interests OF the nation
and to my fellow citizens generally, ac
knowledge deep se~se Of obligation for th'
support which they have accorded me in TIN
administration of the executive department
of the government.
lSigned. CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
WAsH1xGroH, December l, 1884.