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

were classified as follows: Army inva.
lids, 24l, 243; widows, minor chill.
dren and dependent relatives
of deceased soldiers, 1854; navy
invalids, 2,745; navy widows minor
children and dependents, ,923; survivors
of the war of 1872, 295; and widows OF
those who served in that war, 81. About
one man out of two of those who en-.
listed in the late war are reported as
receiving pensions, exclusive of the de.
pendents of deceased soldiers.
On the first of July, 1875. the number
of pensioners was %, S2l and the increase
within the ten years, next there
after was no. 04; while there is no ex.
penditure of public funds which the peo-
pie more cheerfully approve than that
which is made in recognition of the
services of our soldiers living and dead
the sentiment underlying the subject
should not he vitiated by the introduc.
ton of any fraudulant practices. There.
fore it is fully as important that the
rolls should be cleared of all these who
by frauds have secured place thereon,
as that meritorious claims should be
speedily examined and adjusted. The
reforms in the methods of doing the
business of the bureau, which have late
" been inaugurated promise better re-
suits in both these directions.
PATENTS.
There were 2,97S applications pending
for patents the first day of July, 1884,
and 5,7S6 on the same date in the 1885
There has been considerable improve
ment made in the prompt determining
of applications, and constant relief to
expectant inventors. A number OF
suggestions and recommendations are
contained in the report of the commits.
sioner of patents which are entitled to
the consideration of congress.
In the terri DRY of Utah the law OF
the United States passed for the sup
preston of polygamy has been energet-
ically and faithfully executed during the
past year, with measurably good results.
A number of convictions have been
secured for unlawful Capitalization, and
in some cases pleas of guilty have been
entered and slight punishment imposed
upon promise that the ofense would
not again be committed.
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 results. A number
of convictions have been secured for
unlawful cohabitation, and in some cases
pleas of guilty have been entered and
slight punishment imposed, upon a
promise that the ofense would not be
committed again.
The Utah commissioners express the
opinion, based upon such information as
they are able to obtain, that but few
polygamous marriages have taken place
in the territory during the last year.
They further report, that while there
cannot be found upon the registration
lists of voters, the name of man,
actually guilty of polygamy, and while
none ofthat class are holding office, yet,
at the last election in the territory, all
the officers elected, except in one
county. were men, though not actually
living in the practice of polvgamy, sub
scribe to the doctrine of revelation,
law unto all higher and more binding
than any human law, local or natural.
Thus is the strange spectacle presented
of committee protected by republican
form of government to which they own
allegiance, sustaining. by their suffrages
u dllu d UCllCl WAAlS1 OCto oG
naught that obligation of the absolute
existence to the law of the land which
lies at the foundation of the republican
institutions. The strength and the per-
petuity and the destiny of the nation
rests upon our homes established by the
law of God guarded by parental care,
regulated by parental authority and
sanctified by parental love-.
These are not the homes of pOligamy.
The mothers of our land who rule the
nation as they would their own charac-
tiers, and who guide the action of their
sons lives according to Gods holy ordi-
nances. Each secure and happy in the
exclusive love of their children shed the
warmest light of true womanhood un-
perverted and unpolluted upon all with.
in their pure and wholesome family cir
Gle. These are not the cherries, crush
ed and unwomanly mothers of polygamy
The fathers of our families are the best
citizens of the republic. Wife and chill
dren are the sources of patriotism, and
perfect conjugal affection begets devotion
to country. The man who is undefiled
by plural marriage, is surrounded in his
single home with his wife and children,
has stake in the country, which inspires
him with respect for itslaws and courage
for its defense. There is no feature of
this practice, or the system which sane
tions it, which is not opposed to all that
is of value in our institutions.
There should be 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 name. since the people upholding
polygamy in our territories are rein
forced by immigration from other lands.
l recommend that law be passed to
prevent the importation Of Mormons
into the country.
THE AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.
Our agriculturists have but q slight
personal representation in the councils
of the nation, and are generally content
with humber duties of citizenship, and
willing to trust to the bounty of nature
Tor the reward of their labor. But the
magnitude and value of this industry is
appreciated when the statement is made
that of our total annual exports, more
than three-fourths are the products OF
agriculture; and of our total population
nearly one-half are exclusively engaged
in that occupation.
The department of agriculture was
created for the purpose of acquiring and
diffusing among the people useful infor.
nation respecting the subjects it has in
charge and aiding in the
cause of intelligent and progressive
agriculture. By the collection of Stats
tics; by testing the value and usefulness
of new seeds and plants; the distribution
of such as are found desirable among the
agriculturists; these, powers and duties
with which this department is invested
are eff the utmost importance: and