Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-12-04

sum dhOA
We have no excuse for the violation of
principles, cugently taught By reaiou and
example, nor for the slloWauCe of prS-
texts which have sometimes exposed orr
lands to colossal greed. Laws which opsn
q door to fraudulent acquisition, or &d-
ministration which permits favor TO ra-
pacios seizure by o favored few of ex-
banded areas that many should epioy, are
accessory to offenses against our national
welfare and humanity, not to be too Sc
verely condemned or punished.
AN EMPIRE RECLAIMED FOE THE PEOPLE.
1t is gratifying to know that something
has been done at last to redress the ipiu-
ries to cur people and check the perilous
tendency Of the reckless waste of national
domain. That over eighty million acres
have bsen arrested from illegsl %usurpstjOD,
impIoS ident grants and fraudulent entries
and claims, to be taken for the homesteads
of honest industry-althOugh less than the
g~rsster sress thus unjustly lost-must
Sfford a profound qualification to right
Falling citizens, "a it is q recompsense LOT
the lsbors and struggles Of the recovery,
Our dear experience ought to urge the
snasdy enactment of measuTe] OF leglsla'
ton which will coufine the future DISPOSE
ton Of our remaining agricultural lands 70
the uses of actual h~usbandry and u
homes. No7 should our vast tracts OIL So
called desert lands he yielded up 10 the
monopoly Of corporations or grasPipg ln-
6iyiduals, as appears to be much the ten
depcy uuder existing statute. Ihese
lands REQUIRE but the supply Of water to
make them fertile and productive. 1t Is o
problem of great moment, how most
wisely for the public good that factor shall
re furnished. l can not but think it per-
lions to suffer either these lands or the
sources of their irrigation to fall into
The hands of ~monopoliss, which by such
means may exercise lordshlp over the
areas dependent on their treatment for
productivenssI. Already steps have been
taken TO secure accurate and sclentlhc IN
formation of the conditions which are the
prime basis of intelligent action. Until
This shall be CARED the course OF wisdom
az pears clearly to lie IN a suspension OF
further disposal, which only promises to
create rights antagoDistic 10 the common
interests. No harm can follow this pie
c%autionary conduct. The land Will re-
main, and the public good presents no de-
mand for hasty dispossession oil national
ownership and control.
commend, also, the recommendations
that %sppropriste measures be taken to COM
plete the adjustment of the various grants
made to tie Ststss for internal improve
meat and Of swamp aud OVERLOOKED lands,
az we'll as TO a djudicste and hnallV de-
fermine the validity and extent OF the
numerous private land claims.
All tbeSe are elements of great injustice
and peril 10 the settlers upon the localities
affected: and now that their existence can
rot be avoided, no duty is more pressing
than 70 fix az soon as possible their bounds
and temiuatsths threats OF trouble which
arise from uncertainty.
OUR INDIAN POPULATION.
The condition of our Indian population
contiuues to improve, and the proofs
multiply that the transforming change,
80 much to Re desired, which shall sub
ssitute for barbarism, enlightment n
ciyilizing education, Is in favorable pro-
gress. Our relations WITH these people
during the year have been disturbed by
/ TO serious disorders, but rather marked
by a better realization of their true in
terests aud increasing confidence and good
will. The conditions testify to the value
of the higher tone Of consideration anu
humanity which has governed the later
methods OF dealing with them, and com
mand its continued observance.
AllotmeutJ 10 severalty have been made
on some reservations until all those en-
| titled to laud thereon have had their
shares assigned and the work is still con-
tinuad. Ia dire citing the execution Of this
dnty, | have not aimed go much at rapid
dispatch rs to secure Just and fir arrange
mepts which shall best COnduce to the OBJ
iects OF the law, by producing ssisf4ction
with the results Of the sllotments made.
No measure Of general effect has ever been
entered OIL from which moro may be itiTly
hoped if it shall be dtscreetly admins
tered. .
1t proffers opportunity and inducement
TO that independence of spirit and lie
which the Indian peculiarly needs, while
M the same time ths i~uslienability or Of
tits affords security sgainst the risk5 his
inexperience of aff4irs or weakness OF CHAT
acter nav expose him to in dealing with
others. Whenever begun upon any Tesar-
walton il should be made complete, so thai
all are brought 10 the same condition;
and, az s-On as possible, community IN
AMOS should cease by opening such as he
main uusllotted to settlement. Contact'
with toe wsys Of industrious and success
full farmers will perhaps add a healthy
emulation which will both instruct ano
stimulate.
TEACHERS FOR INDIAN EDUCATION.
But no agency for the smeliorsiion o
this people appears to me so promising a
the extension, urged by the Secretary, o
such complete facilities OF education 81
shall ut the earliest possible day embTac
all teachable Indian youth. of 10th sexe'
and retain them with a kindly and beniii
cent hold until their characters are formed
and their faculties and dispositions tralntC
to the sure pursuit of come form OF u'e:u
Industry. The capacity of the Indian NJ
longer needs demonstration. 1t Is estab
likhei. 1t remains to make the most OF 1t
and when that shall be done the curse viii
be lifted, the Indian race saved aud the 81
of their oppression redeemed. The time o
its accomplishment depends upon the spin
and Justice with which it stall he prose
cn;ed, II cannot be too soon for the lnd!ai
nor for the Interests and good name OF tt'
nation.
The average attendance Of Indian pu
nils on the schools increased by over 9Ol
during the wear, and the total enrollmen
reached Is 2l2. The cost Of m~aintainanc'
was not materially raised. The humble
of tSaohable Indian youth is now estima
ted at 10000 or nearly three times tbs en-
roDlmsnt of the schools. 1t is believed tn
obstacles in the way Of ~instrusting are al
surmountable, and that the necessary ex
penditure would be q measure Of economy
The Sioux tribes on the great rsseTya
tion of Dakota refused to assent TO the &C
passed by the Congress at it's last session
for opening q portion Ct their lands u
settlement, Notwithstanding modification
Of the terms was suggested which ne: mes
of their objections. Their demand
for immediate payment Of the tul
price of 81. % per acre for the entire bod,
Of land, the occupancy Of which they ar
asked to r%eliuquish. The manner CT Sub
mission insured their fair understanding
, oGtbs law and their action was undoubted
" as thoroughly intelligent as their capac
iiy admitted. 1t is at least gratifying
that no repro&ch Of over-reaching in an.
manner lies against the government, no"
ever advisable the favorable completion o
the negotiation may have been esteemed
concur in the suggestions Of the S-cre
T tsry regarding the Turtle Mountain In
dams, the two reservations IN Oallforni
) and the Crees. the sbould in my cplnlo
{ receive iumsdiAte attention.
Marnincant Pension Record.