Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-12-16

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. l 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.
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. Ithas 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 engendered. Our great
nation does not begrudge its generosity, 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 restora-
ton of confidence, to be secured by their
tested integrity. A faithful application of
the undiminished proceeds of the grants to
the construction and perfecting of their
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 accomplishment,
prosperity would be permanently secured to
the roads, and national pride would take the
place of national complaint
PENSIONS.
1t appears from the report of the commits
sioner of pensions that there were, on July 1,
1885, 345, 125 persons borne upon the pension
rolls, who were classified as follows: Army
al, II
dependent relatives of deceased soldiers,
rs, S41; navy invalids, 2,745; navy widows,
minor children and dependents, 1926; survi-
vors of the war Of 1872, 1915; and widows of
those who served in that war, 1912. About
enc 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 1, 1875, the number of pensioners was
234, S2i and the increase within the ten years
next thereafter was 110, 304.
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 meritorious claims should be
specially examined and adjusted. The re-
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
the country. For the year ended June go
1885, the applications for patents, including
marks and labels, numbered 81, 6SS. During
the same period there were q, 1928 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,-
974.35, and the total expenditures, not includ-
ing contingent expenses. $685., 10. IL.
There were 9,78S applications for patents
pending on July LISA, and 5, 7S6 on the same
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 recommended
tons 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
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 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 tab 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
that while there cannot be found upon the
registration lists Of voters the name of a man
actually guilty of polygamy and while none
of the class are holding Office, yet at the last
election in the Territory all
the officers elected except in one
actually living in the practice of polygamy,
subscribe to the doctrine of polygamous mar
riages as divine revelation and a law unto
all, higher and more binding upon the con-
science than any human law, local or national
Thus is a strange spectacle presented of a
community protected by a Republican form
of government, to which they owe allegiance,
sustaining by their suffrages a principle and a
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 rest upon our homes, es-
bdUllSuSu ny tu0 law VI OOu, SudIueu ny
parental care, regulated by parental authori-
ty, and sanctifed by parental love. These
are not the homes Of polygamy. The mothers
of our land, who rule the nation as they
mold the characters and guide the actions of
their sons, live according to Gods holy ordi-
nances, 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, upon all with
her pure and wholesome family circle. These
are not the cherries, crushed, and unwoman-
ly mothers of polygamy.
The fathers of our families are the best citi-
zens of the republic. Wife and children are
the sources of patriotism, and conjugal and
parental affection beget devotion to the coun-
try. The man who, undefiled with plural
marriage, is surrounded in his single home
with his wife and children, has a stake in the
country which inspires him with respect for
its laws and courage for its defence. These
are not the fathers of polygamous families.
There is no feature Of this practice, or the
system which sanctions it, which is not OPP
posed to all that is of value in our institutions.
There should be no relaxation in the firm but
lust execution of the law now in operation,
and should be glad to approve such further
discreet legislation as will rid the country of
this blot upon its fair name. Since the people
upholding polygamy in our Territories are re-
enforced by immigration from other lands, l
recommend that a law be passed to prevent
| the importation of Mormons into the country.
AGRICULTURE.