The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1873-12-12
NUMBER 35.

act organizing the Territory. All pro-
ceedings at law are practically abolished
by these decisions, and there have been
but few or no jury trials in the district
courts of that Territory since the last
session of Congress. Property is left
without protection by the courts, and
crimes go unpunished. To prevent
anarchy there, it is absolutely necessary
that Congress provide the courts with
some mode of obtaining jurors, and
recommend legislation to that end, and
also that the Probate Courts of the
Territory, now assuming to issue writs
of injunction and habeas corpus, and to
try criminal cases and questions as to
land titles, be denied all Jurisdiction not
possessed ordinarily by courts of that
description.
CHANGES RECOMMENDED IN THE RANK
RUPTCY LAW.
have become impressed with the be-
lief that the act approved March I'd,
1867, entitled "An act TO establish a un-
form system of bankruptcy throughout
the United States" is productive gilmore
evil than good at this time. Many con-
siderations might be urged for its repeal,
but if this is not considered advisable, /
think it will not be seriously questioned
that those portions of said act provid-
ing for what is called involuntary bank
ruptcy, operate to increase the financial
embarrassments of the country. Care
full and prudent men may often become
involved in debt in the transaction of
their business, and though they may
possess ample property if it could be
made available for that purpose to meet
all their liabilities, yet on account of the
extraordinary scarcity Of money they
may be unable to meet all their obliga-
tions as they become due, in consequence
of which they are liable to interruption
in their business by proceedings in bank
ruptcy at the instance of unrelenting
creditors. People are now 30 easily
alarmed as to monetary matters that the
mere filing of a petition in bankruptcy
by an unfriendly creditor will necessari-
ly embarrass and oftentimes accomplish
the financial ruin of responsible bust
ness men, who otherwise might make
lawful and just arrangements to relieve
themselves from difficulties produced by
the present stringency in money. Men
are prevented by their constant expos
ure to attack, and disappointment by
4 proceedings against them in bankruptcy;
and besIdes-the law is made use of in
many cases by obdurate creditors to
frighten or force debtors into compliance
/ with their wishes, and into acts of injus-
| tice to other creditors and to themselves.
] | recommend that so much of said act
as provides for involuntary bankruptcy
on account of the suspension of pay
ment, be repealed.
! CLAIMS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT.
Your careful attention is invited to
the subject of claims against the gov
ernment, and the facilities afforded by
existing laws for their prosecution. Each
of the departments of State, Treasury
and War, have demands of many mil
lions of dollars upon their files, and
they are rapidly accumulating. To
these may be added those pending before
Congress, the Court Of Claims, and the
Southern Claims Commission, making
in the aggregate an immense sum. Most
of these grew out of the rebellion, and
are intended to indemnify persons on
both sides for their losses during the
war, and not few of them are fabrica-
ted and supported by false testimony
Projects are on foot, it is believed, to in
duce Congress to provide for new classes
of claims, and to revive old ones through
the repeal or modification of the statute
of limitations, by which they are now
barrel. 1 presume these schemes, il
proposed, will be received with little
favor by Congress, and recommend
that persons having claims against the
United States, cognizable by any tribu.
nal or department thereof, be required
to present them at an early day, and tina
legislation be directed as far as practica
bic to the defeat of unfounded and un
Just demands upon the government; anC
/ would suggest as a means of prevent
ing fraud, that witnesses be called upoI
to appear in person to testify before thi
tribunal having said claims before them
before adjudication. Probably thu
largest saving to the national treasury
can be secured by timely legislation OF
these subjects, of any of the economi'
features that will be proposed. YoI
will be advised of the operations of tn
Department or Justice by the report o
; the Attorney General, and 1 invite you
attention to the amendments of existing
laws suggested by him, with the vieV
of reducing the expenses Of the depart
ment.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIG R.
The policy in regard to the Indians
at the beginning Of the last administra
tion, has been steadily pushed, and ! be
lieve with beneficial results. II will b
continued, with only such modifcatio
: as time and experience may demonstrat
/ as necessary. With the encroachmen
of civilization upon the Indian reserva
t tions and hunting grounds, disturbance
= have taken place between the Indian
3 and whites during the past year, an
: probably will continue to do SO unit
: each race appreciates that the other ha
: rights which must be respected. 1h
E policy has been to collect the Indians 4
$ rapidly as possible on reservations, ana
1 as far as practicable, within what
4 known as the Indian Territory, and
: teach them the arts of civilization
: selfsupport. When found of the
!, reservation and endangering the peaC
n and safety of the whites; they have bee
punished, and will continue to be fc
: like offenses. The Indian Territor
;; south Of Kansas and west of Arkansa
: is sufficient in area and agricultural n
: sources to support all the Indians ca