Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1885-12-17

ttOuoLlitdi tliHClS WDulu DC il9CTedStu Will
It's continuance, that the safety OF our from
tier settlers would be subserved under its
operation, and that the nation would be
saved through its results from the imputa-
ton OF humanity, injustice and mismanage--
ment. In order TO carry out the policy or
allotment of Indian lands IN severalty,
when deemed expedient, it will be neccs-
sary TO have surveys completed of the reser-
vatlons, and | hope that provision will be
made for the prosecution of this work.
INDIAN TROUBLES.
In May of the present year smell por-
ton OF the Chlricahua Apaches on the
White Mountain Reservation in Arizona
left the reservation and committed a num-
Der OF murders upon settlers III that neigh
bOrh00d. Though prompt and energetic
action was taken by the military, the rene
gades eluded capture and escaped into Mex
leo. The formation of the country through
which these Indians passed, their thorough
acquaintance with the same, the speed of
! their escape and the manner in which they
scattered and concealed themselves in the
mountains, near the scene of Their outrages,
put our soldiers at great disadvantage in
their efforts to capture them. although the
expectation is still entertained that they
will ultimately be taken and punished for
their crimes.
INDIAN RESERVATIONS PROTECTED.
The threatening and disorderly conduct of
the Cheyennes. OF the Indian Territory,
early last Summer, caused considerable
alarm and uneasiness. Investigation proved
that their threatening attitude was due, in
great measure, To the occupation of the
land of their reservation by immense herds
of cattle, which their owners claimed were
rightly theirs under certain leases made by
the Indians. Surh occupation appearing,
| upon examination to be unlawful, not
withstandng these leases, the intruders
were ordered to remove with their cattle
from the land of the Indians By the Execu-
tive proclamation. The enforcement of this
proclamation had the effect of peace and
order among the Indians. and they are now
quiet and we'll behaved
BY an Nccutive order issued on February
q, 1885, by my predecessor, a portion of the
tract OF country in the Territory known as
the Old Winnebago and Crow Creek ReSer-
vations was directed to be restored to the
public domain and opened to settlement
under the law lands of the United States
and large number OF persons entered up
on those lands. This action alarmed the
Sioux Indians, who claimed the territory as
belonging T. their reservation, under the
treaty of 1868. This claim was determined af-
ter careful investigation to be well founded
and consequently the Executive order re-
ferred to, was proclamation of April II,
1883, declared to be inc 'eratiye and Of no
affect, and all persons upon the land were
warned to leave. This warning has been
substantially complied with.
OUR PUBLIC LANDS.
The public domain has its origin in ceS-
! SionS OF lands by the States to the general
Government Tie first ce-sOn was made
BY the State of New York. and the largest,
which in area exceeded all Others, by the
State of Virginia. The territory, the pro-
prietorship 0 which became thus vested in
the general Government. extended from the
western line OF Pennsylvania to the Missis-
sippi river. These patriotic donations of
! the States was incum5ered with no cOndi-
ANppnt that they SnOniH q on a
used for the common benefit of the United
| States" BY purchase with the common
fund of all the people additions were made
to this domain until it extended to the
northern line of Mexico, the Pacific ocean
and the Polar sea. The original trust "for
the common benefit of the United States
| attached to all. In the execution of tn t
! trust the policy Of many homes rat er
| than large estates" was adopted by the
| Government. That these might be easily
/ obtained and be the abode OF security and
! contentment, the laws for QUESTION were
! few, easily understood, and general in their
! character.
But the pressure of local interests, com
bned with a speculative spirit have in
many instances procured the passage OF
law which marred the harmony of the gen.
eral plan and incumberet the system with a
multitude of general and special enactments
which render the land laws complicated,
subject the titles to uncertainty and the plir-
Laws which were Intended for the com
mon benefit, ave been perverted so that
| rye quantities of land are vesting in sim
gle ownership. From the multitude and
character of the laws this consequence
seems incapable II correction by a mere adj
ministration 1t is not for the common
benefit of the United States that a large
area of the public lands should be acquired,
directly or through fraud, in the hands of a
single individual. The Nations strength is
in ftaa 10 Nnffg
in their prosperity. The Nation glory is
in the equality of her justice. The Nations
| perpetuity is IN the patriotism of all her
people. Hence, as far as practicable, the
| plan adopted III the disposal of the public
land iulu have view the original poll
cy, - encour gcd many purchases of
these lands for homes, aad discouraged the
massing of large areas Exclusive of Alas
ka about three-fifths of the national do
main has been sold or subjected to contract
or grant. OF the remaining twO-firhs a con-
siderable portion Is either mountain or deS-
ert. rapidly incr asing population
creates growing demand for homes, and
| accumulation of wealth inspires an eager
competition to obtain the public land for
| speculat We purposes. In the future this
| collision of interests will be more marked
! than III the past, and the execution of the
| Nations trust in behalf of our settlers will
! be more difficult. | therefore commend to
| your attention the recommend tions con-
tanned N the report OF the Secretary OF the
| Interior with reference 10 the repeal and
modification of certain of our lands laws.
| RAILROAD LAND GRANTS AND SUBSIDIES.
The Nation has made prineely grants and
| subsidies 10 q system of railroads projected
as great national highways to connect the
| L ellie States wi II the East 1t has been
| charged that these d0nitiOnS from the PEG
/ pie have been diverted 10 private gain and
| corrupt u-e>. and !huS ,ual Indignation
| h IS been aroused, and SusieiOn cngen-
derpd. cur great atom does no hegrudgC'
| It's generosity, nut it abhors necnlAtion All /
| frdltii, md tine tavorlb e rel.drd OF our peO-
! pie for The great corporations 10 Which these
| grants wprs IN lt'p can only b revived hy
| restoration OF coih hence 10 TIE secured Y
| N II CO OF ~ CT Yh 4 amt ctr,J Y
| maniie tel IN cgrity. A fitiful arp lc;l-
| ton Of tie und min she'd N ceeds OF the
grants to the clls'fu ION laa peri citing Of
their roads. an honest dischargc of their OBJ
! ligatolis and en- ire ins ice o al the people
| ~ the EN- oJmsftt Q the rig Is on these
highways Of ,riyel, is all the public ASKS,
! AID 1t will be coltsnt with hn less. FL So
cur these things should ne tle common
/ purpose OF I'll offers of he Govermant
| ls well as of the c9fporatib :. Wita his
ace0lnp ished, prosperity would be perma-
| nentv secured 70 tie roads ami naiiana
| pride won take the place Of national conn
| pant.
PENSIONS
/ II sppears from ;le report Of the Commits
| siQner Of Pensions thli there were oa the
! first day of ia So. S4F125 person horn
! up n tho pension loliS, who were class fled
| rs follows: ArRv iHYaiiis. 9 1, 50; widows,
| decc se,l solder ~. I ;sDyy iavalids. .
| 734; uaVs Wl,t0Ns, miisur raiidrcn, and de-
ne dents i92 Survivors az tie war OF
| lsl9 81, and widow 81 hpse ye.io served