Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-12-09

tion alarmed the Sioux Indians. Who claimed
the territory ~ belonging to their reservs-
ton. This claim WAS determined. after care
full investigation, to be we'll founded, and
consequently the executive order referred to
was, by proclamation of April 18th, declared
to be imperative and Of no effect, and all
persons upon the land were warned 70 leave,
and this warning has been substantially COM
piled with.
Referring to the laws governing public
lands, the President says: The laws which
were intended for common benefit have been
perverted, so that large quantities of land are
vested in single ownership.
From the multitude and character of the
laws, this consequence seems incapable OF
correction by mere administration. 1t is not
for the common benefit of the United States
that large area of public lan'is should be
acquired directly or through fraud, in the
hands of q single individual. The nations
strength is in the people. The nations pros
perity is in their prosperity. The nations
glorv is in the equity of her justice. The
nations perpetuity is in the patriotism of all
her people. Hence, as far as practicable, the
plan adopted in disposing of the public land
should have in view the original policy which
encouraged many purchasers of these lands
for homes, and discouraged the massing of
large areas.
PENSIONS AND PENSIONERS.
About one man in ten of all those who en-
listed in the late war are reported as receiv-
ing pensions. Exclusive of dependents OF
deceased soldiers, on the LIST of July, 1875,
the number Of pensioners was 234 S2l, and
the increase within the 10 years next there
after was llO.3s4. While there is no
expenditure of public funds which
the people more cheerfully approve
than that made in recognition of the services
of our soldiers, living and dead, the senti-
ment underlying the subject should not be
vitiated by the introduction of any fraudulent
practices. Therefore it is fully as important
that the rolls sh ould be cleansed of all those
who by fraud have secured place thereon,
so that meritorious names should be placed
on the lists.
PATENTS.
number of suggestions and recommends
tions are contained in the report of the Com
missioner of Patents.
UTAH AND PoLYGAMY.
In the territory of Utah the Law of the
United States passed for the suppression Of
fully executed the past year with good re-
suits.
The Utah Commissioners express opinion
based upon such information as they are able
to obtain. that but few polygamous mar
riages have taken place the last year. There
should he no relaxation in the firm but just
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 fame. l recommend
that law be passed to prevent the importa-
ton of Mormons into the country.
THE AGRICULTURAL INTEREST
of the country demands just recognition and
liberal encouragement. Ii sustains with GER
tainty and unfalling strength our nations
prosperity, by the products of its steady toll.
and bears its full burden of taxation without
complaint. Our agriculturalists have but
slight personal representation in the councils
of the nation and are generally content with
the humber duties of citizenship and willing
to trust to the bounty of nature for the re-
ward of their labors, but the magnitude and
value of this industry is appreciated when
the statement IS made that of our total an
nual exports more than three-fourths are
products of agriculture. and of our total pop
ulation nearly one-half are exclusively en-
RdStu III oCCupdtlOu. liz DTOnlDltlOn
of the importation into several countries of
certain of our animals and their products,
based upon the suspicion that health is en-
dangered in their use and consumption, sug-
gests the Importance of such precautions for
the protection of our stock of all kinds against
disease as will disarm suspicion of danger
and cause the removal of such an inurOus
prohibition. If the laws now in operation
are insufficient to accomplish this protec-
ton, recommend their amendment to
meet the necessities of the situation.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The report of the civil service commission
which will be submitted contains an ac-
count Of the manner in which the civil service
law has been executed during the last year,
and much valuable information on this i'm
pOrtant subject In its present condition the
law regulates only part of subordinate pub
lie positions throughout the country. Peo-
pie may well trust the commission to execute
the law with perfect fairness and with as lit
tie irritation as possible. But of course, no
relaxation of principle which underlies it
and no weakening of safeguards which sur
round it, can be expected. Experience in its
administration will probably suggest an
amendment Of the methods of it's execution,
but venture to hope that we shall never
dSdll Ue Teuultteu 10 LHe system winch dis
tributes public positions purely as rewards
for partisan service. One effect of this SER
vice not enough regarded. is the freedom it
brings to the political action of those con.
sentative and sober men who in fear of the
confusion and risk attending arbitrary
and sudden change in all public
offices with change of party rules
cast their ballots against such change While
partisanship continues bitter and pronounce
ed and supplies so much of motive to senti-
ment and action. it is not far to hold pub
lie officials in charge of important trusts re-
sponsible for the best results in the perform.
ance of their duties and yet insist that they
shall rely in confidential and important places
upon the work of those not only opposed to
them in political utilization, but so stepped in
partisan prejudice and rancor that they have
no loyalty to their chiefs and no desire
for their success. The whining of a clerk
discharged for Incidence or Incompetence.
who, though he gained his place by the
worst possible operation of the spoil system
suddenly discovers that he is entitled to pro-
lection under the sanction of civil service re-
form. represents an idea no less absurd than
the clamor of the applicant who claims va
cant position as his compensation for the
most questionable party work. | recommend
that the salaries of the civil service commits
sioners be increased. The present condi-
49, RI