Morning journal and courier., 1885-12-09

to these SuD16CUS 8nOulO D0 cl6hT1y 0UdA0-<J though they should, in conjunction with the Secretary of the Interior, be given all the authority to deal definitely with the ques- tions presented deemed safe and consls- tent.
 They should be also charged with the duty of ascertaining the Indians who might prop erly be furnished with implements of agri- culture, and of what kind; in what cases the support of the government should be with drawn: where the present plan of dlstr1but- ing Indian supplies should be changed; where schools may be established and where discontinued; the conduct, method and ht- ness of agents in charge of reservations; the extent to which such reservations are occu- pied or intruded upon by unauthorized per sons; ;and generally all matters relating to the welfare and improvement of the Indian.
 They should advise with the Secretary of the Interior concerning these matters of de- tail in management, and he should be given power to deal with them fully, if he Is not now invested with such power.
 This plan contemplates the selection ot persons for commissioners who are 1nterest- ed in the Indian question, and who have practical ideas upon the subject of their treatment
 THE PUBLIC LANDS.
 It is not for the ''common benefit of the United States" that large area of the pub lie lands should be acquired, directly or through ITuuO, III bI0 OL O SAASAO tAA dividual. The nations strength is in the people The nations prosperity is in their prosperity. The nations glory is ia the equality of her justice. The nations per petuity is in the patriotism Of all her people Honce, as far practicable, the plan adopted in the disposal of the public lands should have in view the original policy, which encouraged many purchasers of these lands for homes and discouraged the masslng of large areas Exclusive of Alaska, about three-fifths of the national domain has been sold or subjected to contract or grant. Of the remaining two-ffths a considerable DOT ,ion is either mountain or desert. A rapidly increasing population creates 8 growing de- mand for homes, and the accumulation of wealth inspires an eager competition to o6- tain the public land for speculative purposes. In the future this collision of interests will be more marked than in the past, and the ex- ecution of the nations trust ill behalf of our settlers will be more difficult. l therefore commend to your attention tho Tecommen- tlations contained in the report of the Secre- tary ot the Interior with reference to the re- peal and modification of certain of our land laws.
 The nation has made princely grants and subsidies to a system of railroads projected as great national highways to connect the Pa cific States with the East. It has been charged that these donations from the people have been diverted to private gain and cor rupt uses, and thus public indignation has been aroused and suspicious engendered. Our great nation does not begrudge it's gen. erosity, but it abhors peculation and fraud; :; and the favorable regard of our people for the great corporations to which these grants were made can only be revived by restors ton of confidence, to be secured by their constant, unequivocal land clearly manl- tested integrity. A faithful application of the undiminished proceeds of the grants to the construction and perteetlns Of tneir roads, an honest discharge of their 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 will 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 accomplish inent, prosperity would be permanently se- cured to the roads, and national pride would take the place of national complaint.
 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 ot con- victions have been secured for unlawful CO., habitation, and in some cases pleas of guilty have been entered and slight punishment imposed, upon a promise by the accused that they would not again offend against the law, nor advise, counsel, aid, or abet, in any way, it's violation by others.
 The Utah commissioners express the opin- ion, based upon such information as they are able to obtain, that but few polygamous mar riages have taken place in the territory dur ing the last year. They further report that while there cannot be found upon the regis actually actual l5a eaf1 G of pe poygay sh se sna w Gf Of that class are holding office, yet at the last election in the territory, all the officers elected except in one county were men who, though not actually living in the practice of pelygamy, subscribe to the doctrine of polygamous marriage as a divine revelation and law unto all, higher and more binding upon the conscience than any human law, local or national. Thus is the strange specta- cle presented of 8 community protected by a republican form of government, to which they owe allegiance, sustaining by their suf- frages principle and 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 des- tiny Of the nation lest upon our homes, es- tablished by the law of God, guarded by parental authority, and sanctifed by parental love.
 These are not the homes of polygamy.
 The mothers of our land, who rule the nation as they mould the characters and
  to Gods holy ordinances, and each, secure and happy in the exclusive love of the father of her children, sheds the warm light of true womanhood, unperverted and unpolluted, up on all within her pure and wholesome family circle.
 These are not the cheerless, crushed, and unwomanly mothers of polygamy. The fathers of our families are the best citizens of the republic. Wife and children are the sources of patriotism, and conjugal and parental affection beeet devotion to the country. The man who, unde6led with plural marriage, is surrounded in his single home with his wife and children, has a stake in the country which inspires him with re- spect for its laws and courage for it's defence.
 These are not the fathers of polygamous families.
 There is no feature of this practice, or the practice which sanctions it, which is not op- posed to all that is of value to our institu- tions.
 There should be no relaxation in the firm but just execution of the law now in opera tion, and should be glad to approve such discreet legislation will rid the country of this blot upon it's fair fame.
 Since the people upholding polygamy in our territories reinforced by immigration from other lands, Irecommend that a law be passed to prevent the importation of Mormons into the country.
 THE CIVIL SERVICE.
 The remaining most notable subject dis cussed in the message is the civil service. On this point the President says:
 The report of the civil service commission, which will be submitted, contains an account of the manner in which the civil service law has been executed during the last year and much valuable information on this important subject.
 am inclined to think that there is no sen timent more general in the minds of the pe0- pie of the country than conviction of the correctness of the principle upon which the law enforcing civil service reform is based. In it's present condition the law regulates only part of the subordinate public posi- tions throughout the country. It applies the test of fitness to applicants for these places by means of a competitive examination and gives large discretion to the commissioners as to the character of the examination and many other matters connected with it's execu- tion. Thus the rules and regulations adopted by the omnnission have much to do with the practical usefulness of the statute and with the results of it's application.
 The people may well trust the commis sion to execute the law with perfect fairness and with as little irritation as is possible. But of course no relaxation of the principle which underlies it, and no weakening of the safeguards which surround it, can be expect ad Exnarianoa ifa adn mir yuil