The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1888-12-06


The broad. rich acres OF our agricultural
plains aaX been long preserves we. py nature % 10
civilized and Free upon which should rest IN
well distributed ownership thenumerOus homes
OF enlightened, equal and fraternal citizen.
They came TO national possession with the
warning example in our eyes Of the enteil OF
iniquities tn landed proprictorship which ether
countries have permitted and still snfIer.
Laws which open the door 10 fraudulent ac.
QUESTION or administration which permits IA
vor to vaprace0us seizure BY favored few Of
expanded areas that many should enjoy are
accessory to ofenses against our national vel
fare and humanity not to be tCO severely con-
temned or punished. IL IL gratifying to know
that something has been done at last 10 re
dress the injuries TO our people and check the
perilous tendency OF the reckless waste OF nR-
fional domain. that over H.OO00O acres have
been arrested from illegal usurpers improvi.
dent grants and fraudulent entries and claims
ustry--although less than the greater areas
thus unjustly lost-must AFFORD . profound
qualification 10 right feeling citizens,
s.r II ns u r,rrss ,ep ae for the
Our dear experience ought sufficiently to
urge the speedy enactment OF measures OF leg
islation which will confine the future disposi
tion of our remaining agricultural lands 10 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 corpora
tions or grasping individuals, as appears to be
much the tendency under the existing statute.
These lands require but the supply OF water TO
become fertile and productive. II Is problem
OF great moment how most wisely for the pub
lie good that factor shall be furnished. / can
not but think il perilous to suffer either these
lands or the sources OF their irrigation to fall
into the hands OF monopoles which by such
means may exercise lordship over areas de
pendent on their treatment for productiveness
STATE LAND GRANTS.
l commend also the recommendations that
appropriate measures be taken 10 complete
the adjustment OF the various grants made to
the states for internal improvements. and Of
~3~ESs 1.avn4 will
iudicatc and finally determine the validity and
extent Of the numerous private land claims.
All these are elements of great injustice and
peril to the settlers upon the localities affect
ed and now that their existence Is more pres
sing than 70 tix. as soon as possible, their
bounds, and terminate the threats OF trouble
which arise from uncertainty.
THE NOBLE RED MAN.
The condition of our Indian population con.
finues to improve and the proofs multiply that
sired which shall substitute for barbarism en-.
lightenment. and civilizing education is in fav-
orable process. Our relations with these peo
piles during the year have been disturbed by
no serious disorder. but rather marked by q
better realization OF their true interests and
increasing confidence and good will. These
conditions testify to the value OF higher tone
OF consideration and humanity which has gov.
erned the latter methods OF dealing with them
and commend its continued observance.
Allotmcnts In severalty have been made on
some reservations until all those entitled 10
land thereon have had their shares assigned
and the work Is still continued. In directing
the execution or this duty have not aimed 50
much ut rapid dispatch as TO secure just and
fair arrangements which shall best cohduce to
the objects of the law, by producing satisfac
ton with the results q tne sees made
entered on from which mere may be fairly
hoped. n It shall be discreetly ad
mias'erea fsas SSpportnn.s
OF spirit and life which the Indian peculiarifies
needs, while at the same time the inalienable
OF title affords security against the
expose him TO in dealing with others When.
ever begun upon any reservation it should be
made complete so that all are brought to the
same condition and as soon as possible com.
munity in lands should cease by opening such
as remain unallotted to settlement. Contact
with the ways Of industrious and successful
farmers will, perhaps add healthy emula
tion which will both instruct and stimulate but
no agency for the amelorafion OF this people ap.
pears to me SO promising as the extension
urged by the secretary OF such complete IA
ciliiies Of education as shall, Mt the earliest
possible day. embrace all teachable Indian
youths OF both sexes. and retain them with .
kindly and benefcent hold until their charac-
ters are formed. and their faculties and dispo
sitions trained TO the same pursuit OF some
Indian no longer needs demonstration. 1t Is
established: IL remains TO make the most Of IL,
and whom it shall be done the curse will be
lifted.
ATTENDANCE At THE SCHOOLS
The average attendance Of Indian pupils in
the schools increased by over 500 during the
year, and the total enrolment reached 152i2.
The cost OF maintenance was not materially
raised. The number OF teachable Indian youth
is now estimated At 4O,Oa or nearly three times
the enrolment of the schools. II is believed
the obstacles IN the way OF instructing all are
surmountable, and that the necessary expen
diture would be measure Of economy
THE SIOUX TRIBES
on the great reservation Of Dakota refused te
| assent to the oct passed by the congress at IL,
to tasas ssAss...-,. l.lstanding notiiica-
most OF beI isQS A1sns. Their demand is for
Immediate pay neanof the full price OF u .sa
| per acre for the entire scdy OF land the occu-
1 rhe manner Of submission insured their fair
| understanding of the law, and their action was
no doubt as thoroughly intelligent as their ca.
no reproach OF oyerreaching can in any man.
| ner be made against the government, however
advisable the favorable completion OF the ne
gotiation may have been esteemed. concur
| In the suggestions OF the secretary regarding
i the Turtle mountain Indians the two reserva
tions in California and the Crees. They should
IN my opinion receive immediate attenton.
THE PENSION LIST.
The number OF pensioners added to the list
during the fiscal year ended June ~, lsos, y
O.252 and increase OF pensions was granted u
| l5.s16 cases. The names OF 1880 pensloner'
| were dropped from the rolls during the yeal
| for various causes and, at the close oil ths
year. the number OF persons OF all classes re
ceiving pensions was 452.5 .551. OF these there
were N6 survivors of the war OF 1872, l0le
widows of those who served In that war; IL, W
soldiers of the Mexican war, and S. lO4 widows
ent rates Of pensions are paid to these bene
hciaries ranging from e to x416.GG per month
The amount paid for pensions during the fisca
psecsdIns was yesr of ~
The expenses attending the maintenance ant
operation OF the pension bureau durinl
wes as bureau pein
s1la per cent OF the total expenditures OF IN
| government during the year.
REVISION OF PENSION LAWS.
| / nm thoroughly convinced that our genera
pension laws should be revised and adjusted Y
meet as for as possible, in the light 81 our ex
perience, all meritorious cases. The fact ina
| lOs different rates OF pensions are paid cannon
in my opinion, be made consistent with lnstic'
| to the pensioners or to the government, and tn
| numerous private pension bills that are passe'
predicated upon the imperfection OF genera
| laws, while they increase in many-cases exist
ing in quality and injustice lend additiona
force, to the recommendation for Q revision 9
The laxity OF ideas prevailing among u larg
number OF our people regarding pensions y De Dc
coming every day more marked. The primer
| Piles upon which they should be granted are y
danger OF being altogether ignored, ana eal
ready pensions are often claimed because IN
applicants are as much entitled as other sue
ss'u' any disability sapifsAs reasonably mos at,ri!
utable to military service. !
the establishment OF various precedents b
continued; il the granting of pensions be no
divorced from partisan and other unworth
and irrevelant considerations and II the hon
orable name of veteran unfairly becomes .
these means but another term for one wh
constantly clamors for the aid OF the govern
ment, there is danger that injury will be don
to the fame and patriotism OF many whom ou
citizens all delight to honor, and that PREF.
dice will be aroused unjust to meritorious aI
plicanto for pensions.
THE CATTLE DISEASE
The president refers with commentator I
the intelligent efforts OF the agricultural IL
partment to augment the profits Of America
industry. The rapid extension OF pleuro pnel
monia among cattle; the outbreaks in Illinois
Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee and !
some counties in New York. New Jersey, PenI
sylvania, Delaware and Maryland are mer
toned and the president refers 10 the bent
ficial results of state corporation with the fec
eral authorities in the extirpation Of the dis
ease and advises the continuance and the wid
diffusion of the principle.
Favorable reference is made to the diffusion
process In making sugar from sorgham an
from the Louisiana cane. The experiments
station system OF the department Is con
mended, as is the prevention OF food adulters
tion by the scientific Investigations OF the bl
feAuS.