Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-12-14

government during the year, only the sum of
vl5s,SN was collected thereon and that
though hne penalties and forfeltures were Inn
04s. 42 Of that SUN was paid On sccount there.
Of. These facts may furnish an illustration
q the sentiment which extensively prevails,
that debt due the government thould
cause no Inconvenience to the citizens.
It also appears from this report that though
previous to March, 1885, there had been but
few convictions in the territories Of Utah and
Idaho under the lawsof 1862 and 1882 punish
Ing polygamy and unlawful cohabitation Is
crimes. There have been since that date
nearly 600 convictions under those laws and
the statutes Of 1887, and the Opinion is ex-
pressed that under such firm and Wig
OF ideas opposed to the forbidden. practices,
polygamy within the United States is vlrtu-
ally at an end. Suits instituted by the gov
eminent under the provisions Of the act Of
March 8, 1887, for the termination Of the cor
Porations known as the Perpetual Immigrating
Christ OF Latter Day Saints have resulted, in
degree, favorable to the government, de-
claring the charters Of these corporations
forfeited and escheatiDg their property. Such
property, amounting In value to more than
100000 is in the hands Of receiver, pend
irg further proceedings, an appeal having
been taken to the supreme conrt of the
United States.
THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
In the report of the secretary of the inter-
ior, which will be laid before you, the condi-
ton of the various branches of our domestic
Affairs connected with that department and
!! Its operations during the past year are fully
exhibited. But as brief reference to some Of
the subjects discussed in this able and inter-
esting report cannot here be made, ! CON-
mend the entire report to the attention of
congress and trust that the sensible and val
liable recommendations 1t contains will &C.
cure careful consideration. cannot too
strendously insist upon the Importance Of
proper measures to insure right disposition
of our public lands, not only as matter Of
present justice, but in forecasting the conse-
rich acres Of our agricultural plains have
been long preserved by nature to become the
untrammeled gift to people
civilized and free upon which
should rest In well distributed owner
equal and fraternai citizens. They came to
National possession with the warning exam
pie in our eyes of the entail of iniquities in
landed proprietorehip, which o.he1 countries
have permitted and still suffer.
We have no excuse for the violation Of
principles cogently taught by reason and ex-
which have sometimes exposed our lands to
colossal greed. Laws which open the door
of fraudulent acquisition or administration
which permits faver to rapacious seizure by
favored few of the expanded acres that the
many should enjoy are accessory to offenses
against our national welfare and humanity
can not be too severely condemned or
punished.
II 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 the national domain
k11k have hnn
wrested from illegal usurpation, improvident
grants and fraudulent entries and claims to
be taken for the homesteads of honest in
dustry, although less than the greater areas
thus unjustly lost, must afford profound
qualification to right feeling citizens,
abors " and struggles Of their reeove4y
Our dear experience ought sufficiently to
urge speedy enactment Of measures of legis-
lation which will confne future disposition
of our remaining agricultural lands to the
use Of actual husbandry and genuine homes,
nor should our vast tracts OF so called. desert
lands be yielded up. to the monopoly OF
corporations or grasping individuals as ap-
pears to be much the tendency under existing
statutes. The lands require but the supply OF
water to become fertile and productive. 1t Is
problem of great moment how most wisely
for public good that factor shall be furnished
cannot but think 1t perilious to suffer
either these lands or the sources of their
irrigation to fall into the hands Of monopol-
les which by such meas may exercise lord
ship over acres dependent on their treat
ment for their productiveness. Already steps
have been taken to secure accurate ana
scientific information Of the conditions which
is the prime basis Of intelligent action. Until
this shall be gained>the course OF wisdom
appears clearly to be in the suspension OF
further disposal which only promises to
create rights sntagonistic to the common In
terest and no harm can follow this caution
ary conduct The land will remain and the
oispossession of the national ownership
and control. commend also the recon-
nnendatfons that appropriate measures be
taken to complete the adjustment OF the var
ioue grants to the states for internal improve
ments and of the saving Of overlooked lands as
valkity and extent Of the numerous private
land claims. All these are elements OF
great injustice aud peril to the settlers upon
the localities affected. and now that their ex-
istence is ascertained there is no more press
ing necessity than to fix as soon as possible
their bounds and terminate me threats ol
trouble which arise from uncertainty.
The condition OF our Indtan population
continues to improve, aud the proofs multi
NV that the Transforming change, so mncn
To- be desired, which shall substitute for bar
barism enlightment and ctyiltzipg education,
is In favorable progress OuE 1eistsODe ",oAA
these people during the yesr have been dis
turbed BY no serious disorders, but rather
marked BY better realization OF their true
interests and increasing co. adence and good
will. These conditions testify to the value OF
the higher tone of consideration and humani-
ty, Which has governed the lat.
ter methods of dealing with them
and az, commands its continued OBJ
servance. All settlements in severalty
have been made on some reservations unit!
ali thoee entitled to land thereon have he s
their shares assigned and the work 10 stu
continued. In directing the execution Ct this
dnty have not aimed % much ct rapid DIS
nstch ss to secure Just and fair arrangements
Trhich ahsll best conduce to the object 81 the
i.w. bv producing satisfaction WITH stde re.
sults Of the allotments made. NO measure OF
General effect e ever been entered On from
Ghich more may NO fairly hoped. 1t snsu
he diecreetly administered. It prchere oppM-
tnnitv to that Independence OF spirit and me
tha anne time. the i,slienabie title Affords
se ec against the risks bis inexperience OF
sSsairs or Weakness Of character may exPsse
hin TO in dealing v tn Others. whenever oe.
1nn mon n, any nssrvation, It should Be made
eeomniete. 60 that oil are brought to tne same