The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1885-12-10
The Land Laws.

The Land Laws.
The threatening and disorderiy con-
duct OF the Cheyennes Of the Indian Territory
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,
theirs under certain leases made by the
Indians. This action alarmed the Sioux
Indians, who claimed the terri
tory US belonging to their reservation
under the treaty Of 1868. This claim was de-
termined after careful consideration to be
order referred to was. by proclamation of
April IL, 1885, declared to be imperative and
of no effect, and all persons upon the land
were warned to leave. This warning has been
substantially complied with
The expense Of the Indian bureauduring the
last fiscal year was more than SO, SOC, 600.
believe much of this expenditure may be
saved under the plan proposed. That its
economical affects would be increased with
its 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 ilnputation Of
inhumanity. injustice and misnanagement
In order to carry out the policy OF allotment
OF Indian lands in severalty and when deemed
expedient, it will be necessary to have sur
veys completed of the reservations and
l hope that provision will be made
Tor the prosecution OF this work.
TIE PUBLIC DOMAIN
had Its origin In cessions of lands by the
states to the general government. The first
cession was made by the state Of New York
and the largest, which in its area exceeded
all others, by the state OF Virginia The ter
ritory, the proprietorship of which became
thus vested in the general government, ex-
tended from the western line Of Pennsyl-
vania to the Mississippi river. These patri-
otto donations Of the states were incumbered
with no conditions, except tnat they
should be held and 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 1t extended to the northern line of Mex
leo, the Pacific ocean and the polar sea. TIE
original trust, For the common benefit of
the United States" attached to all in the ex-
ecution of that trust tho policy of many
homes. rather than large estates. was adopted
by the government. That these might to
easily obtained and be an abode of security
and contenrlnent the laws for the acquisition
were few, easily understood, and general in
their character. But the pressure Of local
interests, combined with
A SPECULATIVE SPIRIT,
have in many instances procured the pas
sage OF laws which marrcd the harmony OF
the general plan and encountered the system
with multitude of general and special en-
act1nents which rendered the land laws conf
picatcd, subject the titles to uncertainty and
the purchasers often to oppression and
wrong Laws that were Intended for the ''com-
mon. benefit have been perverted so that
large quantities of land are vesting in sight
Ownerslips. From the multitude and char
acter of laws that seemed incapable OF
correction by mere administration
1t is not for the common benefit
of the Cn'' I'd States that large area of the
public LANES should be acquired, directly or
through grant, in the hands of single in
dividual. The nations strength is in the
people. The nations prosperity is in their
property.
THE NATIONS GLORY
is in the equality of her justice. The na-
tons perpetuity Is in the patriotism of all
her people, hence. as far as practicable, the
plan adopted for the disposal of public lands
should have in view the original policy
these lands for homes and discouraged
he massing of large areas. Ex-
elusive of Alaska about three-ffths
of national domain has been sold or subject
to contract or grant. OF the remaining two
tifths considerable portion is either mount
ain or desert. A rapidly-increasing popula-
ton creates growing demand for homes,
and the accumulation of wealth inspires au
eager competition to obtain this public land
for speculative purposes. In the future this
collision of interests will be more marked
than IN the past, and the execution OF the
nations trust, in behalf Of our settlers, will
be more difficult. I, therefore, commend to
your attention the recommendation contained
in my report of the secretary of the interior,
with reference to the appeal and modification
of certain Of our land laws.