Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1885-12-12

should be given power to deal with then
fully, If he is not invested with such
power. This plan contemplates the -
lection of persons for commissioners who
are Interested in the Indian question,
and who have practical ideas on the sub
ject of their treatment.
The expense Of the Indian buFeau
during the last fiscal year was more
than Sc, 100000. Much of this expendi-
ture might be saved under the plan pro-
posed. It's economical effects would be
increased with its continuance; the SAFE
ty of our frontier settlers would be sub
served under the operation, and that the
nation would be saved through its re-
suits from the imputation of inhumanity,
injustice and mismanagement in order
TO carry out the policy of the allotment
of Indian lands in severally when deem
ed expedient. It will be necessary to
have surveys completed of the reserva-
tions, and hope that provision will be
made for this purpose.
In May. of the present year, q small
portion of the Chirachuahuas, on the
White Mountain reservation in Arizona,
left the reservation and committed .
number of murders and depredations
upon the settlers in that neighborhood.
Though prompt and energetic action was
taken by the military the renegades
eluded capture and escaped into Mexico.
The formation of the country through
which these Indians passed, their thor
ough acquaintance with the same, the
speed of their escape and the manner in
which they scattered and concealed
themselves among the noun.
tains enabled them to avoid
their pursuers, though the
expectation is still entertained they will
be ultimately taken and punished for
their crimes.
THE CATTLEMEN.
The threatening and disorderly con-
duct of the Cheyennes, Of the Indian
Territory, early last summer, caused
considerable alarm and uneasineas.
Investigation proved that their threat
ening attitude was due, in treat meas.
ure, to the occupation of their lands by
immense herds of cattle, which their
owners claimed were rightfully there
under certain leases made by the In
dams.
Such occupation appearing upon e1-
animation to be unlawful, notwithstand-
ing these cases, the marauders were Or
dered to remove with their cattle from
lands of the Indians by executive pro-
clamation. The enforcement of this
proclamation had the effect of restoring
peace and order among the Indians, and
they are now quiet and well behaved.
By an executive order issued on Feb
ruary q, 1885, by my predecessor. q
portion of the tract of country known as
the Old Winnebago and Grow Creek
reservation was directed to be restored
to the public domain, and opened to
settlement under the land laws of the
United States, and large number of
persons entered upon those lands.
The public domain mad its origin in
cessions of land by the states to the gen.
eral government. The first cession was
made by the state of New York, and the
largest in area, which exceeded all the
others by the state of Virginia. The ter
ritory, the proprietorship of which be-
came thus vested in the general govern.
ment, extended from the western line of
Pennsylvania to the Mississippi river.
These patriotic donations of the states
were incumbered with no condition,
except that 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 it extended to the
northern line of Mexico on 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 that trust the policy of many
homes rather than large estates was
adopted by wise government. That
these might be easily obtained, and be
the abode of security and contentment,
the laws for their acquisition were few,
easily understood and general in their
character.
But the pressure of local interest COM
bined With speculative spirit have in
many instances procured the passage of
laws which man ed the harmony of the
general plan, and incumbered the system
with multitude of special enactments
which render the land laws complicated,
and subject titles to uncertainty and the
purchasers often to oppression and
wrong. Laws which were intended for
the common benefit, have been pervert-
ed 30 that large quantities of land are
vested in single ownership. From the
multitude and character of the laws this
consequence seems incapable of correc-
ton by mere administration.
It is not for the common benefit ofthe
United States that large area of public
lands should be acquired directly, or
through fraud, in the hands of single
individuals. The nations strength is in
the people. The nations prosperity il
in their prosperity; the nations glory js
in the quality of her Justice; the nations
perpetuity is in the patriotism of her
people. hence, as far as practicable, the
plan adopted in the disposal of public
lands should hsvs in view the original
policy, which encourages many purchas-
ers of the public lands for homes, and
discourages the massing of large areas.
Exclusive of Alaska, about three-fifths
of the national domain has been
sold or subjected to contract. OF the
remaining two-tifths, q considerable
portion is either mountain or desert.
A rapidly increasing population
creates q growing demand for homes,
and the accumulation of wealth inspires
an eager competition to obtain the pub
lie 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 diff
cult.
I commend to your attention the
recommendations contained in my report
of the secretary of the interior with
reference to the repeal and modification
of certain Of our land laws.
LAND GRANTS.
The nation has made its principal
oranta and auheidioe To a 6vgtom of rail.
roads, projected a. great national high
ways to connect the Pacific states with
the east. 1t has been charged that these