The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1885-12-18


fined, though they should, i'll conjunction
with the secretary of the interior, be given
all the authority to deal definitely with the
questions presented, deemed safe and con-
sistent.
THE PUBLIC LANDS.
1t is not for the common benefit of the
United Statesn that large area of the pub
lie lands should be acquired, directly or
through fraud, in the hands of singl indi-
vidual. The nations strength is in the peo-
pie. The nations prosperity IS in their pros
perity The nations 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 in the
disposal of the public lands should have in
view the original policy, which encourages
many purchasers of these lands for homes
and discouraged the massing of large
areas Exclusive of Alaska, about three
fifths of the national domain has been sold or
subjected to contract or grant. Of the re-
naming two-fifths considerable portion is
either mountain or desert. A rapidly in
creasng population creates growing de-
mand for homes, and the accumulation of
wealth inspires an eager competition to OBJ
tain the public land for speculative purposes
| In the future this collision of interests will be
more marked than in the past, and the execu-
ton of the nations trust in behalf of our settlers
will be more difficnlt ! therefore commend
| to Your attention the recommendations con-
| tanned in the report of the secretary of the
| interior with reference to the repeal and
modification of certain of our land laws.
PENSIONS.
It appears from the report of the commits
sioner of pensions that there were, on July |,
1883, 345 125 persons borne upon the pension
rolls, who were classified as follows: Army
invalids, pa ,456 widows, minor children and
| dependent relatives of deceased soldiers,
| 1881; navy invalids, 2,145; navy widows,
minor children and dependents, ,926; sllrvi-
vors of the war of 1872, 2045; and widows of
those who served in that war, 11,2l2. About
one man in ten of all those enlisted in the late
war are reported as receiving pensions, OK
elusive of the dependents of deceased soldiers.
| On July /, 1915, the number of pensioners was
234, S21, and the increase within the ten years
next thereafter was 10000.
| While there is no expenditure of the public
funds which the people more cheerfully APP
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
ulcnt practices. Therefore it IS fully as inn
portant that the rolls should be cleansed Of
all those who by fraud have secured a place
thereon rs that meritoriou5 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-
rcCtlOnS.
THE PATENT OFFICE.
The operations of the patent Office demon
strate the activity of the inventive genius of
the country For the year ended June 80,
1SSj, the applications for patents including
reissues, and for the registration of trade
marks and labels, numbered 3j.iSS. During
the same period there were 22.g1S patents
granted and reiSsued, and 1,429 trademarks
and labels registered. The number of patents
issued in the year 1850 was l4,jS1, The re-
cciptS during the last fiscal year were Sl.O1i.-
D1I3j, and the total expenditures, not includ-
ing contingent expenses. SEA. l23 II.
There We're 9,iSS applications for patents
pending on July l.lNS4, and J, 1856 on the same
date in tine year 1SSj. There has been con-
siderable improvement made in the prompt
determination Of applications, and n eonsee
quent relief 10 eXpectant inventors.
TIE MORMON QUESTION
In the Territory of Utah the law u 10
United States passed for the suppression of
polygamy has been enercetically and faith
fully executed during the past year. with
measurablv good results 4 number of con-
/ VictiOnS have been secured for unlawful CO.
! habitatiun. and in some cases pleas of guilty
have been entered and slight punishment
imposed, upon promise by the accused that
they would not again offend against the law,
nor advise, counsel, aid, or abet, in any way,
its violation by others.
The Utah commissioners express the opin-
ion, based upon such information rs they are
able to obtain, that but few poygamous
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 a man
actually guilty of polvgamy and while none
of the class are holding office, vet at the last
election in the Territory all
county were men who, though not
actually living in the practice of polygamy
subscribe TO the doctrine of polygamous mar
riageS as n divine revelation and law unto
all, higher and more binding upon the con
science than any human law, local or national
Thus is n strange spectacle presented of g
community protected by n Republican form
of government, to which they owe allegiance
sustaining by their sufrrages a principle and 4
belief which sets at naught that obligation OF
absolute obedience to the law of the land
which lies at the foundation of Republican
institutions.
The strength, the perpetuity, and the DIES
tnv of the nation rest upon our homes, es
tabished by the law of God guarded by
parental care, regulated by parental authori
tv. and sanctified by parental love. ThesC
are not the homes of polygamy. The mother,
of our land, who rule the nation as they
mold the characters and guide the actions O
their sons, live according to Gods holy ordi
nanCcs, and each, secure and happy in IN,
exclusive love of the father OF her children
sheds the warm light of true womanhood
unperyerted and unpoluted. upon all Will
her pure and wholesome family circle. Thcs'
are not the cherries, crushed, and unwoman
" mothers of pOlygamy.
Tie fathers of our families are the best citi
Zens of the republic. VIE and children ar
the sources of patriotism, and coniugal an,
parental affection beget devotion to the couu
try. The man who, uudeiiled with plura
marriage, is surrounded in his single hom
with his wife and children, has a stake in tn
country which inspires him with respect fo
its laws and courage for its defence. Thes
are not the fathers Of polygamOus families
! There is no feature of this practice, or tn
system which sanctions it, which is not OF
/ posed to all that is of value in our institutions
There should be no relaxation in the firm bu
: Just execution of the law now in operation
and | should he glad to approve such furthe
discreet legislation as will rid the country q
this blot upon its fair name. Since the poopl
unfolding poygamy in our Territories are re
enforced by immigration from other lands,
recommend that "A law be passed 10 proven
the importation of Mormons into the country
AGRICULTURE.
[ The agricultural interest of the nuntr.
5 .cmands Just recognition and liberal "r""lr
agemenu 1t sustans with certainty and UNI
, failing strength our nations prosperity 10y
the product of its steady toll, and bears i'll
iull share of the burden of taxation without
l.s