Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1888-12-05
INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
Speedy Enactment of Measures to Prote ct
the Public Domain Urged.

In the report Of the secretary of the interior,
which will be laid before fyou, the condition of
the various branches of our domestic affairs, con-
nected with that department and its operations
during tbs 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 commend the entire report to the
attention of the Congress, and trust that the SEN
sible 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 d
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 untram-
meled gifts to people civilized and free upon
which should rest, in well-distr buted ownership
the numerous homes of enlightened, equal
and traterna! citizen. They came to natural DOS
session with the warning example in our eyes Of
the entail OF iniquities in landed proprietorship
which other countries have permitted and still
suffer. We have no excuse for the violation OF
nor for the allowance of pretexts which have
sometimes exposed our lands to colossal greed.
Laws which open the door to fraudulent acquisi-
ton or administration which permits favor to
rapacious seizure by favored few of expand
ed areas that many should enjoy, are ACCESSORY
to ofenses against our national welfare and hui
mainly not to be too severely condemned or pun
ished.
1t is gratifying to know that something has
been done at last to redress the injuries to our
people and check the perilous tendency ofthe reck-
less waste of national domain that go 600 600
acres have been arrested from illegal usurpation,
improvident grants and fraudulent entries and
claims to be taken for the homesteads of honest
industry, although less Than the greater areas
thus unjustly lost, must AFFORD profound graft
fcatiOn to right feeling citizens, 1t as recon-
pense for the labors and the struggles of the re-
covery.
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-called desert lands
be yielded up to the monopoly of corporations or
grasping individuals, as appears to be much the
tendency under the existing statute These
fertile and productive It is problem of great
moment how most wisely for the public good
that factor shall be furnished. cannot but
think 1t perilcus to suffer either these lands or
the hands of monopolies, which by
over areas dependent upon their treat
ment for productiveness. Already steps have
been taken to secure accurate ana scientlfac IN
formation Of the conditions which Ia the prime
basis of intelligent action. Until this shall be
gained the course of wisdom appears clearly to
be in suspension of further disposal which only
promises to create rights antagonistlc to the
common interest No harm can follow this eau
tionary course. The land viii remain and the
public good presents no demand for hasty dis
possession Of national ownership and control.
commend also the recommendations that APP
propriate measures be taken to complete the al
justment ofthe various grants made to the states
for internal improvements and OF swamp ana
overlooked lands, AZ well as to adjudicate and
finally determine the validity and extent of the
numerous private land claims. All these are ele-
ments of great injustice and peril to the settlers
upon the localities affected, and now that their
existence 10 more pressing than to fix as soon as
poegible their bounds and terminate the threats
oftrouble which arise from uncertainty.