The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1885-12-08
observed under It. operation. and th.. the M.

hope that provision will be made for the prose.
They should also be charged with the duty OF
ascertsining the number Of Indians who
might properly be furnished with imple-
in what cases the support of the Gov
eminent should be withdrawn; whore the
should be changed where schools may be
established, aud where discontinued; the
conduct, method and fines. OF agents in
charge Of reservations; the extent to
which such reservations are occupied or
tntrnded upon by unauthorized persons, and
generally all matters rotating to the vel
They should advise with the Secretary of the
interior concerning these matters of detail in
d7ll with them fully if be is not now invested
with such power, This plan c0nteuplatea the
eeloc-nlI Of such persons for commissioners
who are Interested in the Indian question, aud
Who nave practi IDEAS on the subject OF their
tler'nent
In May Of the present year a small portion Of
the ChirIcahua Apaches on the White Mountain
Reservation in Arizona left the reservation and
committed number OF murders upon settlers
in that noiFIborhoUd. Though prompt and en-
frgetic action WIS taken by the Military, the
feuuGgdes eluded capture and escaped into
Mexico. The formation of the country through
which these Indians passed, their thorough ac-
qua.ptHnne with the same, the speed Of their
escape md the manner in which they scattered
and concealed themselves in the mountains
neur tho scene of their outrages. put
our soldiers at II great DISADVANTAGE in their
efforts To capture them, although the expecta-
ton ia 4ll entertained that they will ultimately
be tuiou mud punished for their crimes.
INDIAN RESERVATIONS PROTECTED
Tho threatening and dsorderly conduct OF the
CheT"nuos, Of the Indian Territory. early last
sutGur, c@UHed considerable alarm and I'M
ear ir-7. Investigation proved that their threat
e1llr4s attitude WAS due, in great measure, tc
tie occupation Of thu band of eheir reservation
10y iumcn@" herds of cattle, which their
oTAprs cmiiucd rightfuily there
uuuer certain lenses made by the Indians.
ateh occupation appearing, upon examination,
to he urilWtGl. nutW standing these leases,
Tie intrudprE were ordered to remove with their
cHtiIa from the land of the Indiana by the Elk
tottt tr proclamation, The enforcement of this
proclamation had thu effect of peace and order
among tie Indians. and they are now quiet and
Vol p, hHpud.
by ~. in putive order issued on February q,
1-oJ, by nav predecessor. II portion of tho tract
Of country IN tine territory known rs the Old
Nlnn"haG" ana Gro" Crock RESERVATIONS was
directed To b' rp,sorod To the public duiIrin and
opened u settlement, under tho land laws of
tus United Stutu,. and large number OF per-
Sous outerrI upon those lands.
This action alarmed the Sioux Indians, who
claimed tho turrt,or, Us belonging to thoir res
CryGtI0U under the treaty Of 1865, This claim
N'es determined, after cnreful investigation 10 be
WI founded, and consequently the Executive
order rufrw4d to WIS, 10y proclamation of April
L. 1853, declared 10 be imperative aud OF no ef.
tuct and al porsons uIou the land warned
70 lrnNr, This warning has been substantially
orR PUBIC LANDS.
The public domain had its origin in cessions OF
lend by the States to the General Government.
The FIRST ressiuu was made by the State Of New
YORK, and the largest, which in area exceeded
all the others, hl the STAT of virginia The Ia
ritory, the prolrietorshp Of which became thu
vested in til" General Government extended
from the western ltno of Pennsy lyania to the
Mississippi River These patriotic donations OF
tho states were ihcuE!hefed by no condition.
except shat they should he held and used for
tho common benefit Of the United States. ;"
BY purchase with tho common fund of all the
people additions We're made to tins domain
iii it osteulad To tho northern line of Mexico,
tho Puciiu Oteun and the Polar Sea. The urisi-
hHu6ttt OF
States attached to all. In the execution of that
trust the policy Of many homes rather than
large estates adopted by the Government.
That those might be easily obtained and be the
abode of security and contentment the laws for
their acquisition were few, easily understood,
and general in their character.
But tho pressure of local interests, combined
with speculative spirit, has in many in
stances procured the passage of laws which
Inarrod the harmony of the general plan and en-
numbered the system with II multitude of gem
eraI and special enHctInents which render the
Land laws complicated, subject the titles TO
Certainty uud the purchasers often to oppression
and WRONG. Laws which were intended for the
common bonstit" have boon perverted that
large quantities Of land vested In single
ownership. From the multitude and character
of tho laws this consequence seems incapable
OF correction by mere administration.
II In not for tha common bepett of the United
States that lnrge ares Of the public lands
should be vested directly or through fraud in
the Antds of u single individual. The nations
strength is in tho people. The nations prosper
ity 10 i'll their prosperity, The nation glory ia
in the equality of her Justice. The nation per.
petuity is IL the patriotism of all her people.
Hence, as far as practicable, the plan adopted
III the disposal of the public lands should have
in Wow the original policy which encouraged
many purchases of these lands for homes and
EAclastye of Alaska, about three-htths
OF the national domain has been
sold on subjected to contract or grant.
OF tho remaining two-fths u considerable por
tiou ia other mountain desert rapidly
increasing population creates H growing demand
for homes. and accumulation of wealth inspires
nubilp
for speculative purposes In the future this
collision IT interests viii be more marked than
in the past, and tho execution Of the nation 8
trust in behalf of our settlers will be more diff
cult therefore commend to your attention
the recommendations contained in the report Of
the Secretary OF the Interior with reference to
tho repeal ana modification of certain Of our
land laws.
RAILROAD LAND GRANTS AND SUBSIDIES.
Tho nation has made princely grants and sub
sides to sy jtoIn OF railroads projected great
nmtlnnal IN !hways to connect the Pacific States
WITH toe East. II has been charged that these
dunsttHs from the people have been diverted
t. Priyaip gain and corrupt uses, and thus public
indignation has been aroused, and suspicion en-
genderud. Dur great nation does not hegrudge
its generally, but it abhors peculation and
fraud, and the favorable regard of our people for
the great corporations to which these grants
wpro lnndo can only be revived by restoration
Of confidence, to be secured by their constant
unoluiv0Gal and clearly manifested integrity
faithful application of the undimini4hod pro-
goods uf tho grants TO the construction and per-
frctimg Of their rlads. an honest discharge of
their obligations and entire justice tn all the
people in the enjoyment of their rights on these
highways Of travel, is all the public asks, and it
Will be content with no less. To secure these
things should he the common purpose of the
officers Of tho Government, well Hs of the
pprbt1Bus. With this accomplished, prosperity
would be prominently secured to the roads and
national pride would take the place of national
comp liant.
TIfI. PATENT OFFICE
The operations of the patent office demon
stretc the nrtiyity of the inventive genius of the
country. For the year ended June 80, 1883 the
applications for patents, .nsludng Reissues aud
for tho reg strHtion OF trademarks and labels,
nun bored SjIS5 During the same period
there Wurr y ~ patents granted and rsHsuel,
ant !, ~ trLlie-tuHrKs and labels registered.
The nGmber ut patents issued in the year 1875
WIS lt3S7 The receipts during the lust fiscal
year were Siu7i. 81, and the total eHpefrdi-
tures, not including contingent expenses, eJ4,-
Ell.
ing the tirst day Of July 1Ssl and 3 1856 on the
sumo dutc in the ycur l-~5. There lns7 been con-
sid. radio improvement maile IN the prompt de-
termination pf applications and consequent
rsIirf To eNu"rtHnt inventors, 4 nunber of sug-
eestinus anl recommendations ara contained i'll
the report of the Commits siOntr If Patents which
are well entitled to the consideration of Con
grcss.
POLTGtHY.
In the Territory OF Utah the law of the United
States palsrd for the suppression of pOlygaiuy
has hoeu enorgetcally and faithfully executed
during the past year with innHsurHbly good re-
suit-. \ number Of con rictions have been
cured for unlawful cohahtation, and ia soma
cusos pleas Of guilty have been entered md
slight punishment IMPOSED upon promise by die
accused that they would not again ottcud