Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1885-12-16
VARIOUS MATTERS,

Inc message ueNlS ~ great leTSln on tHO luS
dian question, citing facts already touched ppon
in the report OF the secretary OF the Interior
After reviewing the facts about the education Of
the Indians and their tribal relations, the prcst'
dent says: II recommend the passage Of O law
authorizing tho appointment Of six commission
ers, three Of whom shall be detailed from this
army. to BIZ charged with the duty OF O careful
inspection from time to time of all Indians upon
our resJ vations, or subject to the care and gou,.
troll of The government. with a view Of discoyag-
ing their exact condition and need, and de-
terminiDg what steps shall be taken on behalf
OF the government to improve their situation IN
the direction of their self-support and complete
civilization: that they ascertain from such In
~spection what, if any. Of the reservations may
be reduced in area, and in such cases what part
not needed for Indian occupation may be pur-
chased hy the government from the indiana aD&
disposed OF for their benefit; what, il any, In
dians may with their consent be removed to
other reservations with a view of their concen-
%tration." The message directs that the powers
and functions Of the commission should be
strictly defined.
THE LAM LAWS.
The message reconim ends the repeal aud mod.
~itcation of certain of the land laws and depre-,
Gates the falling of large tracts into the hands Of
sSndica,es for speenlstion, Lhs president urges
countabiiity in the matter Of grants.
PENSIONS. !.
Thu message cites that in July, 1855, there were
$751; 25 persons borne upon the pension rolls. an,
incr. ase during ten years OF 10000 persons. "a,
recommends that care he taken TO cleanse tue
rolls from any fraudulent personages.
THE MORMON QUESTION.
In the territory of Utah the law of the United
States passed for the suppression of polygamy,
has been energetically and faithfully executed
during the past year, with measurably good re-
suits. A number of convictions have been SCI
cured for uniawfnl rehabilitation and In some
cases pleas OF guilty have been entered and
slight nunIshmNnt f,nrnSal pp,a r.p
Use 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 opin-
ions, based upon such information as they were
able to obtain, that, but few polygamous mar
riages have taken place in the territory during
the last year. They further report that while
there cannot be found upon the registration lists
OF votes the name of a man actually guilty of
ing 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 polygamy. subscribe 10 the doctrine
OF polyga,nous marriage AS q divine revelation,
and a law unto all higher and more binding upon
the CONSCIENCE than any human Law. local or ma,
uonal. This is the strange spectacle presented
lean form Of soysrn@ent, to which
suffrage a principle and a belief Which sets At
nangbt 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 iestiny of the nation rests
upon. our homes established by the law of God,
guarded by parental care, regulated by parental!
authority and sanctihed by parental love. These
are not the homes of polygaIny. The mothers OF
our land who rule the nation ms they mould thel
Characters and guide the actions of their sons
live according 10 Gods holy ordinance, and each
pure and happy. in tho exclusive love Of tho
father Of her children, sheds the warm light of
true womanfosd; unpolluted, upon all within
not the cheerless crushed and unwomanly
mothers Of psolygamy. The fathers of our FAM
Lies are the best citizens of the republic. The
wife and children are the sources OF patriotism.
and c%onjugal' and parental affection beget de-
voiion to country. The man who, indebted
with plural marriage. is surrounded in his single
home with his wife and children has a state in
the country which inspires with respect for its
awe ana courage for its defense, These are not
feature OF this practice OF the eystem which;
s y, xalon i II INV which Is not opposed to all that I'll
prelasasion in The atSu r,u h@t mere should be no.
law now in operation, and l should be glad to ap-
prove such further discreet legislation as will rd
the ne"nle IN orr nus nrGt npon .s lame. since.
Immigration from other lands l recommend thai
a law he passed TO prevent the importatioH
Of Mormons into this country.
The closing portion Of tho message il devoted
TIE CIVIL SERVICE QUESTION.
The president says: II am inclined to think that
there'is no sentiment more general In the minds
OF the people OF our country than the conviction
Va ~ ~ 1Hc pTlutlpIe upon WHICH
the law enforcing civil service reform Is based,w
He reiteratss his former expressed views on the
subject, and says: = venture to hope that we
never shall again be RENTED TO the system.
WHICH distributes public positions purely as a rel
ward for partisan service. Doubts may well 81
entertained whether our government could sur
we the strain OF a continuance of this system,
which, upon every change of administration, In
spiresAn Immense army ct claimants for oiice
to lay siege 70 the patronage, Of the COVE rnInent,
engt1ssing the time OF public officers and their.
itiinotnnities spreading abroad the contagion Of
their disappointment and filing the air vi h the
rnmdt. t 81 ,h ths . ai.sfnt, - M me Elm MESSAGE recon-
missioners he increased to a sum more nearly
cominensurate to their important duties.
secnre a liSrary ,,."n,"i I'm ~ snpr9priaio q
pamphlets belonging to the government. and
aiSo on appropriation Tor certain District OK
'GIilinblGl internal improvements.
The mcs.hge concludes as follows: "The pres
eht CONDITION o6the law
RELATING TO THE SUCCESSION TO TIRE PREsJ.
DENCY
I OF both the pr sident ard yice-t,resident is such
as 70 require immediate amendments. This sub
lect has repeatedly been considered bX congress.
lamenthble death Of the vice-president and
vacancies at the same time in all other offices,
the incumhents Of which might i'm nediately sc
caused public anxiety and a Just demand that 2
not be permitted
In conclusion, l commend 10 the wise casu
and thoughtful attention OF congress the
NEEDS AND WELFARE OF AN INTELLIGENT
NATION.
To subordinate these to the narrow adsantage
ish aims, is to violate the peorle's trust and be.
tray the peoples interests, but an Individual
s sTlSs : q .ta1 resRSns,biiity on the part Of each oi III, g:
well, .mpst give ~ place AMONG thnso Who hnva