Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-12-06
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.

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 the past year, are fully exhibited, but a
brief reference to some of the subjects discussed
in this able and interesting report can here be
made; but recommend the entire report to the
attention Of the congress, and trust that the
sensible and valuable recommendations 1t con-
tains will secure careful consideration. 1 cannot
too seriously insist upon the Importance of
proper measures to insure right disposition of
our public lands not only as a matter of present
justice but in forecast Of the consequences to
future generations. The broad, rich acres of our
agricultural plains have been long preserved by
nature to become her untrammeled gifts to q
people civilized and Free upon which should rest.
in well distributed ownership, the numerous
homes of enlightened, equal and fraternal citi-
zens. They came to the nation at the possession
with the warning example in our eyes OF the en-
tail of iniquities in lanfed propretorship which
other countries have permitted and still suffer.
We have no excuse for the violation of pTin-
ciples cogently taught by reason and by example.
nor for the allowance of pretexts which have
sometimes exposed our lands to colossal greed.
The laws which open the door to fraudulent
acquisition or the administration which permits
favor to rapacouS seizure by a favored few of
the expanded acres that many should enjoy are
accessory to offense against our national welfare
and humanity, are not to be too severely con-
demned or punished. 1t is gratifying to know
that something has been done at last to redress
the injuries to CUR people and check the periions
tendency of the reckless waste OF the national
domain. In all over $4,000 900 acres have been
arrested from illegal usurpation and the re-
covery Of unimproved grants and fraudulent
entries and claims to be taken for the homestead
of honest and honest industry, although less than
the greater areas thus unjustly lost must afford
a profound qualification to right feeling citizens
as recompense for the labors and struggle or the
recovery.
Our dear experience ought sufficiently to urge
the speedy enactment of measures of legislation
which will confine the future disposition Of our
remaining agricultural lands to the uses of actual
husbandry and genuine homes nor should our
vast tracts of so-caed desert lands be yielded up
to the monopoly of corporations or grasping in
diyiduals as appears to be much the tendency
under the existing statutes These lands require
but the supply of water to become fertile and
productive. It is a problem of great moment how
most wisely for the public good that factor shall
be furnished. can not but think it perous to
suffer either those lands or the sources OF their
irrigation to fall into the hands of monopolies,
which, by such means, may exercise lordsbip over
areas dependent on their treatment for produc-
tiveness Already steps have been taken to secure
accurate and scientific information of the condi-
tions, which is the prime basis of intelligent &C
ton until this shall be gained. The course or
wisdom appears clearly to lie in suspension OF
further disposal, which only promises to create
rights antagonStic to the common interest. No
harm follow this cautionary conduct The
land will remain, and the public good presents no
demand for the haSty disposition Of national
ownership and control.
commend also, the recommendations that
appropriate measures be taken to complete the
adjustment of the various grants made to the
states for internal Improvements Of swamp and
overfowed lands as well as to adjudcate and final
ly determine the validity ami extent OF the nuner
GUS private land claims. All these are elements Of
great injustice and peril to the settlers upon the
localities affected and now that their existence
is pressing, than to fix as soon as possible,
their bounds and terminate the threats Of trouble
which arise from uncertainty.
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENTAL STATIONS.
The department seeks a progressive develop
rnent 1t would combine the discoveries OF
science with the economies and aneioration of
rural practice. A supervision OF the endowed
experimental station system recently provided
for is a proper function OF the department and
is now in operation. This supervision Is very
important and should be wisely and yigiIantly
directed to the end that the pecun1ary aid of the
government in favor of intelligent agriculture
should be so applied as to result IN the general
good and to the benefit of all our people thus
justifying the appropriation made from the
public treasury.
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE RAILROADS.
The adjustment Of the relations between the
government and the railroad companies which
have received land grants and the guaranty OF
the public credit in and Of the constitution Of
their roads should receive early attention. The
report of the majority of the commissioners ap-
Of these roads ia which they favor extension
of time for the payment of such Indebtedness in
at least one case, where the corpor-
alton appears to be able to COM
of such extension and the reinforcement OF their
opinion by gentlemen Of undoubted business
Judgment and experience appointed to protect
the interests OF the government, as dIrecto.s OF
such an extension would be to the advantage of
the government. The subject should be treated
as business proposition with a view to final
realization Of its Indebtedness by the government
rather Than that question to be decided upon
prejudice or by way OF punishment for previous
wrong doing.