Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-12-17

SYSTEM OF RAILROADS
projected as great national highways to connect
the Pacific states with the east. 1t has been
charged that these donations from the people
have been diverted to private gains and corrupt
uses, and thus public indignation has been
aroused and suspicion engebdere1. Our great
nation does not begradge its generosity but it
abhors specializing and fraud; and the favorable
f7gard OF our people for RE great cor tons
TO which these grants WerC made c:s riv be
revived by a restoration of confid-s,.. g..
cured by their constant unequivoca. 81 early
manifested integrity.
A faithful application of this undininished
proceeds Of the fraud to tho construction and
perfechng OF their roads, an honest discharge
OF their obligations and entire Justice to all the
people In the enjoyment of their rights on the
highways of travel is all the pIbkc asks and it
VIII be content with no less. To secure these
things should be the common purpose of the
officers OF the government as well az of the cor
porations. With this accomplishment prosperity
would be permanently secured to the roads and
national praise would take the place of nation
81 complaint.
TERRITORY OF UTAH
the law of the United States passed for the sup
pressi.n or polygamy has been esergeticalIy ana
faithfully executed during the past yeaT, with
measuraoly good results. A number Of convic-
tons have been secured for unlawful cohabta-
ton. and in some cases pleas of guilty have been
entered and slight punishment impnsed, upon
promise by the accused that they would not again
offend against the law Eor
abet in any way its violation by others
based upon such information Luey are able TO
obtain, that bat few poly gamous marriages have
taken place IN the territory during the last year.
They furtA~a report that while there cannot be
found upon tho registration lists CT voters the
name Of man actually guilty OF polygamy,
and while none 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 ctIaly living in the practice OF
polygamy, suDscrIoc Unv 0ssosrme or pOiyga-
NOUS marriages as divine revelation and law
unto all higher and more binding upon the con
science than any human law. local or national.
Thus Is tbs strange spectacle presented of a COM
community protected by republican form OF gov
eminent to which they owe alJegiances sustaining
by their suifrages principle and belief which set
az naught that obligation Of absolute obedience to
the law Of the land, which lies ut the foundation
of republican, institutions. The strength, the
perpetuaty, and the destiny of the nation rest
upon our homes established by the law or COO,
guarded by parental care, regulated by parental
authority aud sanctifed by parental love.
These are not the homes OF poIygamy. The
mothers of our land, who rule the nation as they
mould the characters and guide the actions OF
their sons live according to Gods holy ordinance
and each, secure and happy in the exclusive love
or the father OF her children, sheds the warm
light of true wonanhood, unperverted and IN
polluted, upon all within her pure and whole
some family circle. These are not the cherries,
crushed and unwonanly mothers of polygamy.
The fathers OF our families the best citizens
Of the republic, The wife and children are the
sources OF patriotism, and conjug al and parental
affection beget devotion to the country. The
man who, unidentified with plural marriage, sur
rounded in his single home Wfeh his VIE ana
children has a stake in the country which in
spires him with respect for IFS laws and courage
tor Its defense. These not the fathers OF
polygamous families. There is no feature of this
practice or the system which sanctions it, which
is not opposed to all that is OF value In our pstI
tutions.
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 coWntry of this blot
upon its fair fame. Since the people uphoiding
pOlygamy in territories REINFORCED bF
the immigration from other lands, recommend
that a law be passed to prevent the importation
of MOrmons into the country. The agricultural
interests Of the country demands just recognition
and liberal encouragement. 1t sustalns with GER
rGinty and Unfailng strength our nations
prosperity by the products OF its steady toll and
bears its full share of the burden of taxation
without complaint.
OUR AGRTGuLTURALdsTs
have but slight personal representation in the
councils of the nation and are generally content
with the humbleS duties of citizenship, aud willing
to trust TO the bounty of nature for reward Of
their labor. But the magnitude and value of tlI.s
industry is appreciated when the statement is
made that of our total annual exports moro taan
TIM -fourtRs are tRe products of agriculture, a1
OF our total population nearly onehaE are exclu-
SiveIy engaged In that occupation. The DEF art
Inent of agriculture was created for the purpose
Of acquiring and diffuSing among the people use
full information respecting the subjects
Il has in charge, aud aiding in the
cause Of intelligent and progressive farming
by the collection of statistics, by testing the
yalua and usefulness of new seeds and plants, and
Distributing Eucn as are t0unQ dSSlfaDlS among
agrcutturalSts This and other powers and duties
with which this department is invested. are OF
the utmest Importance, and II wisely exercised
must be OF greet benefit to the country. The aim
of our benefieenC government is the Improvement
of the people in every state, and in the ameli0ra
ton Of their condition Surely our agrioulturel
lists should rot be neglected. The instrumental
ity established in aid OF the farmers of the land
should not ouly be well eqIipped for the accom-
plishment of Its purpose, but those for whose
benefit it has peen adopted should be encouraged
TO avail themselves fully of its advantages.
AIMED AT THE HOG.
The prohibition OF the importation into severai
countries of certain of animals and their
products based upon the suspicion that health is
endangered in their use and consumption Sug
gests the importance OF such precautions for the
protection of our stock of all kinds against lis
ease will disarm the suspicion of danger, and
cause the removal OF such an injurious prohibit
ton. LIZ toe laws now IN operation are lnsutn.
Gent to accomplish this protection | recommend
their amendment 10 the neceSStiesof the situation,
and comme Sd to the consideration of congress
the suggestions contained In the report OF the
commissioner OF agriculture calculated TO in
crease the value and efficiency of this depart
ment. The report OF toe
SUCCESSION.
The present condition of the law in relation to
the succession TO the presidency in the event of
the death, disability removal of both the pres
immediate amendment This subject has re-
peatedfy been considered by congress, but no
reSElt has been reached. The recent laInentable
death OF the wee president, and the vacancies at
the same time in all other Offices the incumbents
Of which might Immediately exercise the func-
tions of the presidential office has caused public
anxiety and a Just demand shat recurrence of
such condition of affairs should not be permit
ted.
N CONCLUSION
/ commend to the wise and thoughtful atten-
ton Of congress the needs. the welfare and the
cooperation OF an Intelligent and generous
hation. To subordinate these TO the narrow adj
van6ages of paEtfsauShfp the accomplishment
of selfish aims, Is to Violate the peoples trust
and betraY the peoples interests But indi-
vIdual sense OF responsibility the part of each
Of us and stern determination to perform
duty well must give us place among those who
have added in their day and generation to the
glory and prosperity Of our beloved land
(Signed) GROVER CLGV RLAND.
WASHINGTON, D. G.. Dec. s, 1885.