The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1888-12-06
PUBLIC DOMAIN.
Disposition of Public Lands-Railroad
Grants-Attempt to Solve the Indian


Disposition of Public Lands-Railroad
Grants-Attempt to Solve the Indian
Problem.
In the report of the secretary of the interior.
which will be laid before you, the condition OF
the various branches of our domestic affairs con-
nected with that department and its operations
during tine past year are fully exhibited. But
brief reference to some Of the subjects dis
cussed in this able and interesting report can
here be made, but commend the entire report
to the attention of the congress. and trust that
the sensible and valuable recommendations it
contains will secure careful consideration.
cannot too strenuously insist upon the i'm
portance Of proper measures to insure right
disposition Of our public lands, not only as a
matter of present justice, but in the forecast Of
the consequences to future generations. The
broad, rich acres of our agricultural plains have
been long preserved by nature to become her un-
trammeled gifts to people civilized and
free, upon which should rest i'll well
distributed ownership the numerous homes
of enlightened, equal and fraternal citizens.
They came TO the national possession with the
warning example in our eyes Of the entail of in
EQUITIES in landed proprietorship which other
countries have permitted and still suffer. We
have no excuse for the violation of principle
cogeuuly taught by reason and by example, no
for the allowance OF preteXtS which have some
times exposed our lands to colossal greed Laws
which open he door to fraudulent acquisition
or an administration which permits favor TO the
rapaciouS seizure by a favored few OF expanded
areas that many should enjoy are accessory to
tffenses against our national welfare and human
tv rot to be too severely condemned or pun
shed 1t is gratifying TO know that something
has been done at last to redress the injuries to
our people and check the perilous tendency of
the reckless waste of national domain; that over
eighty million acres have been wrested from
Illegal usurpers, improvident grants and fraud
ulent entries and claims to be taken for the
RoMEsTEAps OF HONEST INDUSTRY
although less than the greater areas thus I'M
Justly less lost, must afford profound gratih-
cation TO right feeling citizens. As it is
compense for the labors and struggles for the
recovery, CUR dear experience ought sufficiently
to urge the speedy enactment of measures of
legislation which will contine the future dispo-
sition Of our remaiLlng agricultural lands to the
nses OF actual husbandry and general homes.
Nor should our vast traces CT so-calied desert
lands be yielded up to the monopoly of corpor-
atoms or grasping individuals, as appears TO be
much the tendency under the existing statutes.
These lands req Iire but the supply of water TO
become fertile and productive. 1t IS q problem
Of great moment how most wisely for the pub
lie good that factor shall be furnished. cannot
but think it perilous TO suffer either these lands
Or the sources OF their irrigation to fall into the
hands of monopolies which, by such means,
may exercise lordships over areas dependent on
their treatment for productiyeness. Already
steps have been taken to secure accurate and
scientific information of the conditions, which is
The prime basis of the intelligent action Until
This shall be gained the course of wisdom appears
clearly to be in a suspension OF further disposal
which onlv promises to create rights antagonistic
50 the common interest. No harm can follow
his cautionary conduct. The land will remain
and the public good presents no demand for
hasty dispoSseSslon of national ownership and
control commend also the recommendations
hat appropriate measures be taken to complete
he adjustment of the various grants made TO
The states for internal improvements and of
swamp and overlooked lands, as well as to sd
Indicate and finally determine the validity and
sxtent of the numerous private land claims. All
these are clements of great injustice and peril
20 the settlers upon the localities affected,
md now that their existence is more
pressing measures should be taken to fix
is soon possible their bounds and ter
inmate the threats of trouble which arise from
uncertainty. The condition OF onr Indian popu-
alton continues to improve, and the proofs null
iply that the transforming change sp much to
De desired. which shat SD osti iite fof barbar1sm
arlightment and cyilizng educat ion, is in fay
orabie process. Our relations with these people
!:lring the year have been disturbed by no serie
BUS disorder, but rather marked by better
REALIZATION OF THEIR TRUE INTERESTS
ind increasing confidence and good will. These
so,.dltons testify to the value OF the higher tone
IF consideration ard humanity which has gov
.Tned the latter methods CT dealing with them
md commend its continued observance Allot-
aepts in severalty have been made on some res
aryauions until all those entitled to land thereon
iaye have had their shares assigned. and the
work is still continued In directing the execu-
lion Of this duty have :aot aimed so much at
rapid dispatch to secure just and fair
arrangements which shall best conduce to the
objects of the law by producing satisfaction
gith the results of the allotments made. No
mea>sare of general effect has ever been entered
On from which more may be fairly honed II 1t
shall be discreetfy administered 1t proffers OPP
portunity AID inducements to that in
dependence OF spirit and life which the
Indian peculiarities needs. while at the same
sime the inalienable right of title affords secur
tty against the risks his ine1perience Of affairs
or weakness of character may expose him to IN
dealing with others Whenever begun upon any
reservation it should be made complete, so that
Ill are brought to the same condition. and 20
soon rs possible community in lands should
cease by opening sacn remain upaliotted to
settlement. Contact with the ways of indus
.rious and successful farmers will. perhaps, add
ahealthy emulation which will both instruct and
stimulate but no agency for the ameiioration OF
this people appears to me so promising as l he
extension. urged by the secretary, OF such COM
plete facilities of education as shall, at the ear
iseSt possible day, embrace all .eachable indian
youths OF both sexes, and retain them with
kindly and benescent hold until their characters
gre formed and their fac1. lies and dispositions
Trained to the pursuits OF some form OF useful
Industry. The capacity or the AnQlan
NO LoNGEs NEEDS DEMONSTRATIONS
1t is established: it remains TO make the most
lifted, the Indian race saved and the SIN OF
their oppression redeemed The time of lts
accomplishment depends upon the spirit and
Justice with which it shall be prosecuted. lt
cannot be too soon for the Indian, nor for the
interests and good name Of the nation. The
average attendance Of Indian pupils in the
schools increased by over 900 during the year
and the total enrolment reached 1922. The
cost Of maintenance was not materially raised
The namber of teachable Indian youth Is now
estimated at 4O.UG5, or nearly three times the
enrolment of the sehLols It is believed the
obstacles in the way Of instruetipg all are sur
nountable and that the necessary e1peR dltnre
would be measure Of economy The Sioux
| tribes on the great reservation Of Dakota re-
s.sed to assent to the act passed by the
CONGRESS ct it's last session for opening portion
! If their lands to settlement, notwithstand-
ing modification OF tEa terms was suggested
which met most of their objections. Their de-
nand is for immediate payment OF Inc fail price
81 S. % per acre for the entire body OF land, the
/ occupancy Of which they are asked to re1nqulsl.
The manner of submission insured their fair
understanding of the law. and their ACTION was
undoubtedly az thoroughly intelligent as their
capacity adIniss g. 1t is at least gratifying that
! 40 reproach of over-reaching can In any man
ner lie against the government, however advls-
able the favorable completion OF the n gotiation
may have been esteemed concur i'll the sng-
Ycstions Of the secretary regarding the Turtle
Mountain Indians, the two reservations in Cali
fornia and TIE Crees. They should, in my opin-
. ion, receive fwQeciate attention