The Wahpeton times., 1888-12-13
PUBLIC DOMAIN.
TUBUIC UON1AxNe n l5slIs
Disposition Of Public cLands-Railroad
Grants-Attemptt to Solve the Indian
Pr0hlepn f.l

been long preserved by nature to become her un-
stSs to Ps'Spe sv1d and
distributed ownership the numerous homes
OF enliRhtened: equal and fraternal oittsens.
They came 70 the n national possession With the
tqulttes In landed proprietorshfp which other
countries have permitted and still suffer. We
have no excuse for the violation Of principles
cogenGly taught by reason and by example, nor
for the allowance Of pretexts which have Eome-
times exposed our lands to colossal greed. Laws
or IN administration which permits favor s to The
rapactous seizure by q favored few OF expanded
areas that many should enjoy are accessory to
ity not to be too severely condemned or pun
1shed It Is gratifying to know that something
has been done at last to redress the injuries to
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
HoMEsTEADs OF HONEST INDUSTRY.
although less than the greater areas thus un-!
justly less lost. must AFFORD profound gratia-
compense for the labors and strngRles for tho
recovery. our dear experience ought sufficiently
to urge the speedy enactment Of measures Of
s1tion OF our remaining agricultural lands to the
uses of actual husbandry and general homeas
Nor should our vast tracrs OF so-called desert
atoms or graspfnR individuals, as appears 70 10
much the tendency under the existing statusee
These lands req aire but the supply Of water u
become fertile aud productive. It is q problem
OF great moment how most wisely for the pub\
lie good that factor shall be furnished. canndk
but Thick it perilous to suffer either these landa
or the sources of their irrigation to fall into the
hands Of monopolies which, by such MEANS
may exercise lordshtps over areas dependent on
their treatment for productiveness Already
steps have been taken to secure accurate and
scen ttf1c information of the conditions which L.
the prime basis Of the intelligent action. Until
this shall be gained the course of wisdom appears
hor d1ar1o oaa1
which onlv promises to create rights antagonistic
to the common interest," No harm can follow
and the public good presents no demand for
hasty dispossesston Of national ownershtp and
control commend also the Recommendations
the adjustment OF the various grants made ID
the states for internal improvements and Of
swamp and overfowed lands, ss we'll a. to ad-
extent of the numerous private land claims. All
to the settlers tier upon the lec.lities Affected
pressing measures should be taken to AZ
ss soon ks possible their bounds and ter
minase the threats Of trouble which arise from
1etion continues to improve, and the proofs muE-
tiply that tho transforming change 30 much to
be desired. which shall 50 Institute for barbarism
orable process. Our relations with these people
during the year have been disturbed by no seri-
ou' dis disorder, q, & but RI rather t marked by better
and Increasing confidence and good viii. These
conditions testify to the value Of the higher tone
erned the latter methods of dealing with them.
and commend its continued observance. Allot&
ments In severalty have been made On some res
have have had their shares assigned. and the
work ts still continued. In directing the execu-
tton OF this duty have not aimed 30 much as
arfaneements which shall best conduce d Get toSSs "a
objects OF the law. by producing satisfaction
with the results Of the allotnlents made. No
on from which more may be fairly hoped II it
shall be discreetly administered It proffers op-
9oranasy. Iortunsy AID I'd e indacement to that n
Indian peculiarities needs, while at the Same
time the tnalienable right Of title Affords secur-
ity AGAINST the risks his inexperiehoe Of affairs
or weakness Of character may expose him to in
dealing with others. Whenever begun upon any
reservation it should be made complete, 60 that
al are brought to the same condition. and g
soon as possible community In lands should
cease by opening such as remain unallotted to
settlement. Contact with the ways Of indus
heaithy which win Doth hisanr sad
stimulate. but no agency for the amelioration Of
this people appears TO me so promtsing as the
plete facilities Of education as shall st the ear
liest possible day, embrace all :eacbable Indian
youths Of both sexes. and retain them with
are formed and their faculties and dispositions
trained to the pursuits Of some form Of useful
industry. The capacity OF the Indian
NO LONGER NEEDS DEMONSTRATION.
Il is established: 1t remains to make the most
81 IT, and when # shall be done the curse will be
their oppression redeemed. Tho tine OF its
accomplishment depends upon the spirit and
justice with which 1t shall be prosecuted Il
cannot be too soon for the Indian, nor for the
interests and good name Of the nation. Tho
average attendance Of Indian pupils in the
schools increased by over 900 during the year
ana the total enrolment reached 1922. Tho
cost OF maintenance was not materially raised.
The number of teachable Indian youth 10 now
estimated At 4OO05. or nearly three times tho
enrolment OF the schools. 1t is believed tho
oossac!es IN the way Of tnstructtne all arc sur
would be measure Of economy. The Sioux
tribes on the great reservation Of Dakota e.
fused to assent to the act passed BY Tho
congress at its last session for opening portion
OF their lands to settlement, notwithstsnd.
ing modification Of tho terms was sneeested
mand ts for immediate payment OF the fun prjee
OF $1.25 per acre for the entire body Of land Tho
occupancy OF which they are asked to rolin0niah
The manne: Of submission insured theif &llir
understanding OF the Law. and thetr sctton, -
undoubtedly as thorouRhly tntelliGent a. t6tfr
no repfoach OF over-reachtnR can in any man.
ner le AGAINST the government, however adyio.s
able the favorable completion OF the otietion
msy have been esteemed. concur I'm the aeue..
gest1Ons OF the secretary regarding shb kbfle3
mountain Indiana, the Two reservations n Gait.
ion, receive immediate attention. = sss'''-- a
PENSIONS.
But . Small Portion Of tho Message