The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-12-18

tOn OF tne nation truStln DenalI OF our Sctlieir
will be more diflicnlt | therefore commend
to your attention the recommendations con
tanned in the report of the secretary of the
interior with reference to the repeal aud
modification Of certain of our land laws.
The nation has made princely grants and
subsidies to system of railroads projected as
great national highways TO connect the Pa
cific States with the East. lthas been charged
that these donations from the people have
been diverted to private gain and corrupt
uses, and thus public indignation has been
aroused and suspicion cngendered Dur great
nation does not begrudge its generosity, but
it abhors peculation and fraud; and the
! favorable regard of our people for tha
great corporations to which these granta
were made, can only be revived bya restora-
ton of confidence, to be sccureA by their
constant, unequivocal, and clearly mani
tested integrity. A faithful application OF
the undimnished proceeds of the grants TO
the construction and perfecting Of their
roads, an honest discharge of thcf2 obliga-
tions and entire justice to all the people in
the enjoyment of their rights on these high
ways of travel, is all the public asks. and it
viii be content with no less, To secure these
things should be the common purpose OF the
officers of the government, as well as OF the
corporations. With this accomplishment,
prosperity would be permanently secured to
the roads, and national pride would take the
| place of national complaint
| ftNNiONS.
| 1t appears from the report of the commits
| sioner of pensions that there were, on July |,
| 1885, 3+5, 125 persons borne upon the pension
! rolls, who were classified as follows: Army
| invalds, "a 456: widows, minor children and
dependent relatives of deceased soldiers,
1S,S4l: navy invalids, 2,T45 navy widows,
minor children and dependents, ,g26; survi-
vors of the war of 1912, 2,945; and widows of
those who served in that war, 17,212. About
one man in ten of all those enlisted in the late
war are reported as receiving pensions. ex-
elusive of the dependents of deceased soldiers
| On July !, 1873, the number of pensioners was
234 ,S2l and the increase within the ten years
next thereafter was 1l03o4.
| While there is no expenditure of the public
funds which the people more cheerfully ap-
prove than that made in recognition of the
services of our soldiers living and dead. the
sentiment underlying the subject should not
be vitiated by the introduction of any fraud
ulent practices. Therefore it is fully as i'm
portant that the rolls should be cleansed of
all those who by fraud have secured a place
thereon, as that meritoiious claims should be
| specially examined and adjusted. The re
forms in the methods of doing the business of
this bureau which have lately been inaugur-
ated promise better results in both these di-
| rections.
THE PATENT OFFICE.
The operations of the patent office demon
strate the activity of the inventive genius of
1885, the applications for patents, including
reissues, and for the registration of trade
marks and labels, numbered 35,6SS. During
the same period there were 22,92S patents
granted and reissued, and ,429 trademarks
and labels registered. The number of patents
issued in the year 1885 was 14,3S7. The re-
ceipts during the last fiscal year were 81 ,074,-
97435, and the total expenditures, not includ-
ing contingent expenses, 1884, 1881 II.
There were 9,78S applications for patents
I,,1.
date in the year 1885 There has been CON
siderable Improvement made in the prompt
determination of applications, and a conse-
quent relief to expectant inventors.
A number of suggestions and recommenda.
tions are contained in the report of the com
missioner of patents which are well entitled
to the consideration of Congress.
THE MORMON QUESTION.
In the Territory of Utah the law of the
United States passed for the suppression OF
polygamy has been energetically and faith
fully executed during the past year, with
measurably good results. A number of con
victions have been secured for unlawful co
habitation, and in some cases pleas of guilty
have been entered and a slight punishment
imposed, upon promise by the accused that
they would not again offend against the law
nor advise, counsel, aid, or abet, i'll any way
its violation by others.
The Utah commissioners express the opin.
ion, based upon such information as they are
able TO obtain, that but few polygamous
marriages have taken place in the Territory
during the last year They further report
that while there cannot be found upon the
registration lists of voters the name of man
actually guilty of polygamy and while none
election in the Territory al
the officers elected except in one
county were men who, though no
actually living in the practice of polygamy
subscribe to the doctrine of polygamous mar
riages as divine revelation and a law untt
all, higher and more binding upon the con
science than any human law local or national
Thus is a strange spectacle presented of (
community protected by Republican form
of government, to which they owe allegiance
sustaining by their suffrages principlband ,
belief which sets at naught that obligation o
absolute obedience to the law of the Lane
which lies at the foundation of Republican
, institutions.
The strength, the perpetuity, and the des
; tiny of the nation rest upon our homes, es
, tablished by the law of God guarded b,
parental care, regulated by parental authori
ty, and sanctitied by parental love. Thes
!. are not the homes of polygamy. The mother
of our land, who rule the nation ae the,
mold the characters and guide the actions o
their sons live according to Gods holy ordi
nances, and each, secure and happy in tn
exclusive love of the father of her children
. sheds the warm light of true womaahood
1 unperverted and unpolluted, upon all witt
f her pure and wholesome family circle. Thes
, are not the cherries, crushed, and unwoman
| ly mothers of polygany.
3 The fathers of our families are the best citi
e zens of the republic. Wife and children ar
e the sources of patriotism, and coniugal an
: parental affection beget devotion to the coun
/ try. The man who, undetiled with plura
marriage is surrounded in his single hom
4 with his wife and children, has a stake IN tn
$ country which inspires .him with respect TO
G its laws and courage for its defence. Thes
+ are not the fathers of polygamous families.
n There is no feature of this practice, or til
. system which sanctions it, which is not OF
f posed to all that is of value in our institutions
5 There should be no relaxation in the firm bu
g Just execution of the law now in operation
e and should be glad TO approve such furthe
s discreet legislation will rid che country {
y this blot upon its fair name. Since the peopl
:. upholding polygamy in our Territories are L,
a enforced by immigration from other lands,
+ recommend that law be passed to prever
h the importation OF Mormons into the country
3 AGRICULTURE.
n The agricultural interest of the countr
IS demands just recognition and liberal encoui
y agement. 1t s,lstains with certainty and III
l. failing strength our nations prosperity
n the product of its steady toll, and bears il
e full share of the burden of taxation withou
/ complaint Our agliculturists have bl