Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1888-12-06

IA the report OF tbs secretary of the interior
tiiic'l viii DC lald before you, the condition of
we various branches of our domestic affairs con-
iscteo with tnat department and its operations
Silrlng the past year, are fully exhibited but a
prleI reference to some Of the subjects discussed
~ ths able and interesting report can here be
lilaue' out recommend the entire report 10 the
attention OF the congress- and trust that The
sensible and valuable recommendations il coz
tdias VIII secure car fai consideration. l cannot
tNf seriously INSIST upon the inheritance Of
proper measures 10 insure right disposition OF
eu4 public lands, not only as a matter of present
justice out IN forecast Of the consequences TO
future GENERATIONS. The broad rich acres Of orr
agricultural plains have been long preserved nv
nature 10 become her untrammeled gifts TO a
leeple ciVitiz and free, upon which should rest
IN wen distributed ownership the numnrous
homes Of emil yhtened, equal and fraternal CHI
zens They camA 10 the nation at the possession
WIN the warm K example in our ewes Of the en-
TAN OF lnquties ~ Ian Tod proprletorshiD which
'tner countries have permitted and still suffer
we nave no excuse for the violation OF prin-
clpies cVgently taught by reason and by example.
nor Tor the ail0WaUc, Of pretexts which have
S}neumes exposed our lands TO colossal greed
me Jaws which open the door to fraudulent
scqusHlon or the administration which permits
FAVOR TO rep9clous seizure by favored few Of
uie expanded acr5s that many should enjoy are
accessory To otensa against our national welfare
ana humanity, are not to be too severely con-
aemnsd or punished. II is gratifying to know
lhat something has been done at last to redress
me injuries t. our people and check the perlous
tendency OF The reckless waste of the national
domain; In all over So,000,0)O acres have been
arrested from legal usurpatiOn and the re-
covery Of unimptoYed grants and fraudulent
entries ana claims to be taken for the homestead
q hon 81 and honest industry, although less than
Tue eater areas thus unjnstly lost must afford
profound qualification to right feeling citizens
as recompense for the labors and struggle of the
recovery
Our dear experience ought sufficiently to urge
the speedy enactment of measures of legislation
which will coniine the future disposition Of cur
remaining agricultural lands to the uses Of actual
husbandry aud genuine homes nor should our
vast tracts of so-caled desert lands be yielded up
70 the monopoly Of corporations or grasping 10
divlduals, as appears 70 be much the tendency
under the existing statutes. These lands require
out the supply OF water to become fertile anG
productive. It is a problem Of great moment how
most wisely for the public good that factor shall
be furnished can not but think IL perilous to
suffer either those lands or the sources OF their
irrigation to fall into the hands of monopolies
which, by such means may exercise lordshp over
areas dependent on their treatment for produc-
tiveness. Already steps have been taken to secure
accurate and scientific information of the condi-
lions, which is the prime bsss of intelligent ac-
ton until this shall be gained The course Of
wisdom appears clearly TO lie in a suspension Of
further disposal which only promises TO create
rights antagonstic to the common interest No
harm can follow this cautionary conduct. The
land viii 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
dJlstlnent Of the various grants made TO the
states for internal improvements of swamp and
Owe flowed nds as well as TO ad Indicate and final
Is determine the validity and extent of tine numer-
oas 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 more pressing, than to fix as soon as possible
their bounds and terminate the threats or trouble
which arise from uncertainty.