The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-12-04
proper at the time of its euac.m...
but long since outgrown and reon;s
| ing REIMBURSEMENT.

fully prepared statistics accomna-,
| ing the postmaster-generals rers,s,
that Notwithstanding the great a.,
PenSe OF service the rate of exna,5s
lures has been lessened and he -
hcieney has been improved in cxs-,.
branch; that fraud and crime ~
decreased; that losses from the n,.;l.
have been reduced, and that the nn,,.
Der OF complaints of the service 49,
to pestmasters and the departmsr.
are far less than they were before
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
The transactions OF the denartas,.
OF justice for the fiscal wear enSas
June 80, ISIS, are contained in tbs -
port OF the attorney general. aS val
as number of valuable reconms,S.
tons, the most OF which are renss;-
tons of those previously made ara
ought TO receive consideratinn
Ii Is stated in this report that thonsh
| judgments in civil suits amounting -
$552, 02i 0S were recovered in favor -
the government during the wear, onlv
the sum OF $lS2 1854 was collectaa
thereon and that fines, penalties ara
forfeitares were imposed amounting
TO S5il.sos IS, but only Si0a.6ls AZ -
that sum was paid on account thereof
These facts may furnish an ilInStr.-
| ton OF the sentiment which exten-
sively prevails, that a debt due he
government should cause no ineor,-
yenience TO the citizen.
TANNING THE NoRNoxs.
L. also appears from this repor. thu,
though prior TO March, lsS5. there had
been but six convictions in the terri
1 Of fTfak
laws OF 1862, and lS2 punished for
polygamy and unlawful Capitalization
| crimes, there have been since thas
| date nearly GOO convictions under
| those laws and the statutes Of IsS-
and the opinion is expressed tnat
under such a firm and vigilaut ave-
eution OF those laws and the adyaxre
of ideas opposed to the forbidden ursr-
tice, polygamy within the United
States is virtually ut an end.
Suits instituted by the government
under the provisions OF the acts at
March 5, 1887, for the termination of
the corporations known as the Per-
petual Emigration Fund COMPANY
| and the Church OF Jesus Christ az
Latter Day Saints have resulted in a
| degree favorable to the government.
declaring the charters OF these cor.
porations forfeited and escheatine
their property, amounting in value 10
more than $4,000, which is in the
hands of a receiver pending further
proceedings, an appeal having been
taken to the supreme court Of the
United States.
THE PUBLIC DOMAIN
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 connected with
that department and its operations
during the past year are fully ex-
hibited. But brief reference to some
of the subjects discussed in this able
and interesting report can be here
male, but commend the entire re-
port to the attention of congress and
trust the sensible and valuable recon-
mendations it contains will secure
careful consideration. cannot too
strenuously insist upon the importance
OF proper measures to insure a right
disposition of our public lands. not
only US a matter of present justice. but
in forecast of the consequence to fu-
ture generations. The broad acres of
our agricultural plains have been long
preserved by nature TO become her I'M
trammeled gift to a people civilized
aid free, upon which should rest in
well-distributed ownership the numer-
Gus homes of enlightened, equal and
fraternal citizens. They come into
national possession with the warning
before our eyes of the entail of inequi-
ties in land proprieiorship which other
countries have permitted and still suf-
fer.
We have no excuse for the violation
of the principles cogently taught by
reason and example, nor the allowance
for pretexts which for some time ex-
posed our lands to colossal greed.
Laws which open the doors to fraudu-
lent acquisition, or an administrator
which permits favor to the rapacious
seizure by favored few of the ex-
banded areas that the many should
enjoy, are accessory TO otienses against
our national welfare and humanity,
not to be too severely condemned or
punished. Ii Is gratifying 10 know
that something has been done at last
to redress the injuries TO our people
and check the perilous tendency of
reckless waste of the national domain.
over o0,000.000 of acres have been ar
rested from illegal usurpation, improv-
ldent grants and fraudulent entries
and claims, TO be taken for the home
steads of honest industry. Although
less than greater arrears unjustly lost,
this recovery must afford profound
qualification to right-feeling citizens
rs 1t is recompense for the labors aud
struggles for recovery.
Our dear experience ought sufficient
ly to urge speedy enactment of meas
ures OF legislation which will eonfine
future disposition of our remaining ag-
ricultural lands to the use of actual
husbandry and genuine homes, nor
should our vast tracts of so-called des-
ert ands be yielded up TO the monop-
oily OF corporations or grasping indi-
viduals, as appears to be too much the
tendency under the existing statute.
The lands require but a supply OF wa
ter 20 become fertile and productive.
IL is problem of great moment how
most easily for the public good that
factor may be furnished. | cannot
bnt think il perilous to suffer either
these lands or the source of their irri-
CATION 10 fall into the hands
of monopolies. which By such
means may exercise lordship
over areas dependent on their treat
ment for productiveness Already
steps have been taken TO secure ac-
curate and 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 a suspension
oil further disposal which only promises
to create rights antagonislic to the
common interest. No harm can fol-
low this cautionary conduct. The
land will remain and the public good
presents no demands for hasty dis
possession of national ownership and
control.
SWAMP LANDS.
| conmend also The Communications
that appropriate measures to be taken
To complete the adjustment OF the
various grants TO the states, for inter
nal improvements. OF swamp and
overiloWe ed lands, as well as TO adiudi-
cate and finally determine the validity
and extent OF numerous land claims.
All these are elements of great injus-
hce and peril to settlers upon the To-
callties affected, and congress should,
as soon as possible, limit their bounds
ana terminate the threats OF trouble
which arise from uncertainty.
THE INDIANS.
The condition of our Indian popuia:
ton continues IN iruur,wa a.,,J ,.r,afs