The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-12-17

imputation OF humanity injustice, and mis-
management In order To carry out the policy
deemed expedient, IL will be necessary To have
surveys completed OF the reservations, and
hope that provision will be made for the prose
They should also be charged with the duty OF
nscertaining the number of Indians who
might properly be furnished with nipple
ments 81 agriculture, and Of what kind !;
in what cases the support of the Gov
eminent should be withdrawn; where the
present plan, of distributing Indian supplies
should be changed; where schools may be
established, and whore discontinued; the
conduct, method and fitness Of agents In
charge OF reservations; the extent TO
which such reservations are occupied or
| intruded upon by unauthorized persons, and
generally all matters relating to the well
| fare and improvement OF the Indian.
They should advise with the Secretary OF the
Interior concerning these matters Of detail In
management, and he should be given power TO
deal with them fully, IL he is not now invested
| with such power. This plan contemplates the
| selection Of such persons for commissioners
who are interested in the Indian question, and
| treatment
INDIAN TROUBLES.
In May OF the present year n small portion OF
4 the Chiricahua Apaches on the White Mountain
| Reservation in Arizona left the reservation and
| committed a number OF murders upon settlers
in that neighborhood. Though prompt and en-
ergetic action was taken by the military, the
renegades eluded capture and escaped into
| Mexico. The formation OF the country through
which these Indians passed, their thorough ac-
| quaintance with the same, the speed OF their
escape and the manner in which they scattered
and concealed themselves in the mountains
near the scene 81 their outrases' put put
| efforts to capture them, although the expecta-
ton is still entertained that they will ultimately
be taken and punished for their crimes.
| INDIAN RESERVATIONS PROTECTED.
| The threatening and disorderly conduct of the
Cheyennes, of the Indian Territory, early last
| summer, caused considerable alarm and I'M
| hat aat-
ening attitude was due, in great measure, to
the occupation of the land Of their reservation
owners claimed were rightfully there
under certain leases made by the Indians.
| Such occupation appearing, upon examination,
| to be unlawful notwithstanding these leases,
| the intruders were ordered TO remove with their
cattle from the land Of the Indians by the Ex-
ecutive proclamation. The enforcement OF this
proclamation had the effect OF peace and order
among the Indians, and they are now quiet and
| well behaved.
BY an Executive order issued on February 81.
| 1885, by my predecessor, portion of the tract
! of country in the territory known rs the Old
| Wnnebago and Crow Greek Reservations
directed TO be restored 10 the public domain and
| opened TO settlement, under the Land laws Of
the United States, and a large number Of per-
| sons entered upon those lands.
This action alarmed the Sioux Indians, who
| claimed the territory rs belonging TO their res
ervation under the treaty of 1868. This claim
was determined, after careful investigation TO be
| well founded and consequently the Executive
IL, 1885, declared to be imperative and of no eff
! feet, and all persons upon the land were warned
to leave. This warning has been substantially
| complied with.
OUR PUBLIC LANDS.
! The public domain had its origin in cessions Of
land by the States to the General Government.
The first cession was made by the State OF New
/ York, and the largest, which in area exceeded
all the others, by the State of Virginia. The ter
rtory, the proprietorship of which became thus
( vested in the General Government extended
from the western line of Pennsylvania TO the
Mississippi River. These patriotic donations Of
| the States were incumbered by no condition,
! except that they should be held and used "for
the common benefit of the United States. "
BY purchase with the common fund of all the
people additions were made TO this domain un-
til it extended TO the northern line of Mexico,
the Pacific Ocean, and the Polar Sea. The origi-
nal trust "for the common benefit of the United
States attached 10 all. In the execution of that
| trust the policy Of many homes rather than
| large estates" was adopted by the Government.
That those might be easily obtained and be tho
abode of security and contentment, the laws for
their acquisition were few, easily understood,
and general in their character.
But the pressure of local interests, combined
with n speculative spirit, has in many in
stances procured the passage of laws which
marred the harmony of the general plan and en-
numbered the system with multitude of gen.
eral and special enactments which render the
land laws complicated, subject the titles 10 un-
certainty and the purchasers often 20 oppression
and wrong. Laws which were intended for the
common benefit" have been perverted so that
large quantities of land vested in single
ownership. From the multitude and character
of the laws this consequence seems incapable
of correction by more administration.
II is not for the common benent of the United
States that n large area of the public lands
should be vested, directly or through fraud, III
the hands OF n single individual. The nation 4
strength is in the people The nations prosper
ity is in their prosperity. The nation glory is
in the equality of her justice. The nations per
petuity is in the patriotism Of all her people
Hence us far practicable, the plan adopted
in the disposal Of tho public lands should have
in view the original policy, which encouraged
many purchases of these lands for homes and
discouraged the massing of large areas
Exclusive of Alaska, about three-ifths
OF the national domain has been
Of the remaining two-hfths a considerable por
tion is either mountain orsdesert. a rapidly
increasing population creates n growing demand
for homes, and accumulation OF wealth inspires
an eager competition TO obtain the public land
for speculative purposes. IN the future this
collision Of interests Will be more marked thar
IN the past. and the execution OF the nation
trust in behalf OF our settlers viii be more din
| cult. / therefore commend to your attention
the recommendations contained in the report q
the Secretary of the Interior with reference e
the repeal and modification of certain of oul
land laws.
RAILROAD LAND GRANTS AND SUBSIDIES.
Tho nation has made princely grants and sub
sides 20 a system of railroads projected as great
national highways to connect the Pacific States
with the East IL has 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 en-
gendered. Our great nation does not begrudg,
its generosity, but il abhors peculation an6
fraud, and the favorable regard of our people fol
tho great corporations To which these grants
were made can only be revived by restoration
Of confidence, to be secured by their constant
unequivocal and clearly manifested integrity
A faithful application Of the undiminished pro
ceeds OF the grants 10 the construction and per
fecting of their roads, honest discharge OF
their obligations and entire justice To all the
people ia the enjoyment of their rights on these
highways of travel, is all the public asks, and il
Will be content with no less. To secure these
things should be the common purpose of the
officers OF the Government well as of the cor
porations. With this accomplished, prospect "
would be permanently secured 20 the roads and
| national pride would take the place of national
compl aint.
THE PATENT OFFICE.
The operations OF the patent Office demon
J strate the activity Of the inventive genius of the
| country For the year ended June 30, 1885, the
applications for patents, including reissues, and
for the registration OF trademarks and labels,
numbered SOS. During the same period
! there were y, 92S patents granted and reissued,
! and 1.429 trademarks and labels registered.
The number OF patents issued in the year 1875
| was Ii, 1857. The receipts during the last fiscal
year were Sl,07i,97435, and the total expendi-
lures, not including contingent expenses, 1894,
1911.
There was 9,7ss applications for patents pend
ing on the first day Of July, 1885, and 7S6 tho
same date in the year 1885. There has been con-
| siderable improvement made in the prompt de-
termination Of applications and n CONSEQUENT