Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1891-12-17

Change Necessary.
The relation Of the five civilized tribes now
occupying the Indian territory to the United
States is not / believe the best calculated 10
promote the highest advancement Of these In
dians. That there should be within our bor-
ders five independent states having no rela-
tfons except those growing out Of treaties with
The government OF the United States no repre-
Ientation in the national legislature, itS
people not citizens, is startling anomaly.
Il seems TO me TO be inevitable that there
shall be before long some organic changes in
the relation OF these people to the United
states What form these changes should take
do not think IL desirable now 10 suggest even
u they were well defined in my own mind
they should certainly involve the acceptance
Of citizenship by the Indians and representa-
ton In congress These Indians should
have opportunity to present their claims
and grievances upon the floor rather
than, aS now, ia the lobby. II a commission
could be appointed to visit these tribes to con
fer with them in friendly spirit upon this
whole subject. even u no agreement we're pres
sntly reached, the feeling OF the tribes upon
this question would be developed and discus
sion would prepare the way for changes which
must come sooner or later.
Lands Opened to settlement.
The good work OF reducing the larger Indian
reservations, by allotmeuts in severalty to the
Indians and the oesson OF the remaining lands
TO the United States for disposition under the
homestead law, has been prosecuted during
the year with energy and success. In Septem-
Der last was enabled TO open TO settlement In
ell OF which was taken up by settlers in
single day. The rush for these lands was
oompanied by 3 great deal of excitement, but
was happily free from incidents OF violence
II was source OF great regret that
i was not able to open at the
same time tho surplus lands OF the Cheyenne
and ArapahOe reservation. amounting to about
3OOOOOO acres, by reason OF the insuflciency
OF the appropriation for making the allotmeuts
Deserving and impatient settlers are waiting
TO occupy these lands, and urgently recon-
mend that a special deficiency appropriation
be promptly made Of the small amount needed
so that the allotments may be completed and
the surplus lands opened IN time 10 permit the
settlers 10 get upon their homesteads Ia the
early spring.
Pensions.
The administration Of the pension bureau
has been characterized during the year bv
great diligence. The total number Of pension
ers upon the roll on che Both day n June, 1921
was 6i6 100 There were allowed during the
hScal year ending at that time 30 365 cases.
OF this number ,3S7 we're allowed under the
law OF June "a. 1890. The issuing OF certificates
has been proceeding at the rate of about ZOO
per month about y per cent OF these being
cases under the new law. The commissioner
expresses the opinion that he Will lie able to
carefully adIudcate and allow 5000 claims
during the present fiscal year. The apprOpria-
ton for the payment Of pensions for the fiscal
year lS90gi was sig7 GS5 f93 80 and the amount
expended sllSA60 tao - leaving an unexpeuded
surplus Of So 10 lis.ot The commissioner is
quite confident that there Will he no call tins
year for a deficiency appropriation notwith-
standing the rapiilty with which the work IS
being pushed
Subsidized Railways.
The report OF the commissioner Of railroads
shows that the total debt of the subsidized
railroads TO the United States was. on Decem-
Der 3D. 1920 Sll2,5i2 6la0d. large part Of this
debt Is now approaching maturity with no ad.
equate provision Tor IT'S payment Some policy
for dealing with this debt, with a view to It's
ultimate collection should b. At once adopt
ed
The Territories
The report Of the secretary EXHIBITS with in.
teresting fu.lncSs the condition Of the terri
tories They have shared with the states the
great lncrcHse IN farm products and are bring
ing yearly large areas into cultivation uy ex.
tending their irriEatiug canals This work is
being done by individuals or local corporations
and without that system which a full prelim
mary survey Of the water supply and OF the If
rigabe lands would enable them to adopt. The
future OF tho territories Of New Mexico, Ari-
iona and L tab IN their material growth and IN
the increase, Independence and happiness OF
their people is very largely dependent upon
wise and timely legislation either by congress
or their own legislatures regulating the distri-
button OF the water supply furnished by their
streams II this matter Is much longer neg
lected. private corporations Will have unre.
stricted control Of one OF the elements
OF life aud the patentees of the arid lands will
be tenants at will % the water companies The
improvident granting Of franchises OF enormous
value without recOmpense to the state or mu-
nicipality from which they proceed and with
out proper protection OF the public interests
Is the most noticeable aud fragrant evil of mod
ern legislation. This fault should not be com
mitted in dealing with "A subject that Will be
fore many years affect so vitality thousands of
our people
Suppression of PoIygamy.
The legislation OF congress for the repression
OF polygamy has, after years OF resistance on
the part OF the MOrmons, at last brought them
TO the conclusion that resistance is uuprotit-
able and uuavaiing The power OF congress
over this subject should not be surrendered un-
ul we have satisfactory evidence that the peoy
pie OF the states TO be created would exercise
the exclusive power Of the state over this sub
lect in the same way.
Government for Alaska.
l recommend that provision be made for the
organization OF \ simple form Of town govern
ment In Alaska with power to regulate such
matters Is are usually in the states under
municipal control
The Agricultural Department..
II the establishment of the department Of
agriculture was regarded by anyone as mere
concession 10 the unenightened demand OF a
worthy class Of people. that impression has
been most euectualiy removed by the great re.
suits already attained Its home influence has
been very great in disseminating agricultural
and horticultural information; in stimulating