The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1873-12-06

courts Of the Territory now assume ~ I''"G
7yrits of Injunction and habeaS corpus ana
TO try criminal cases, and in questions Is 10
land titles he denied all jurisdiction not
possessed ordinarily by courts u lhal
description. yc
have become impressed with the Dcilei
that the act approved March ., 1861 entitled
"An Act to establish a uniform system OF
Bankruptcy throughout the lnitco states,
is productive of more evil than good. Al
This time many considerations might he
uged for its total repeal, but II TINS Is not
considered advisable | think 1t VIII not be
seriously questioned that those porllons oi
SAID act providing for what IS caiieu IN
voluntary bankruptcy" operate to increase
the financial embarrassment Of careful and
prudent men, who very often become in.
yolyed in debt in the transaction of their
hnsiness. and though they may possess
annie property, if it could be made avail
able for that purpose, to meet all their la
bllitics, yet on account of the extraordinary
scarcity of money they may be unable to
meet ali their pecuniary obligations as they
become due, in consequence of which they
are liable to be Frustrated in their business
by proceedings in bankruptcy at the
instance of unrelenting creditors. People
are now so easily alarmed "a to monetary
matters that the mere filing of Il petition in
bankruptcy by an unfriendy creditor will
necessarily embarass and ottCntmcs &C
complish the financial ruin OF IA Responsible
business man. Those who otherwise would
make lawful and juSt arrangements to
relieve themselves from difficulties produced
by the present sringcncy in money are
prevented by their constant exposure to
attack and disappointment by proceedings
against them in bankruptcy; and Dcslues'
the law is used, in many cases, by obdura'c
-. =, lll. tnrl n
compliance with their wishes and into acts
of Injustice to other creditors and to them,
selves ! recommend that so much OF salu
act as provides for involuntary bankruptcy
on account of the suspension be repealed.
Your careful attention is invited to the
subject OF claims against the government,
and the facilities afforded. by the existing
laws for their prosecution in each Of the
departments. The departments OF state,
treasury and war have demands Tor many
millions Of dollars upon theirhles, ana thcy
are rapidly accommodating. To these may
be added those now pending before congress,
the Court Of Claims, and the Southern
Claims commission, making in the aggrc
rate an immense sum. Most of these grow
out Of the rebellion, and are intended to
indemnify persons Of both sides for their
losses during the war, and not u few OF them
are fabricated and supported by false testi-
mOny. Projects are ON foot, II Is believed
10 induce congress to provide for new
classes of claims, and to revive Old ones,
through the repeal or modification OF the
statute of Imitation by which they are now
barred. presume these schemes, II pro.
posed will be reCieycd with little favor by
Congress and ! recommend that persons
having claims against the United States,
cognizable by any tribunal or department
thereof, be required to present them at an
early day, and that legislation be directed,
AS far as practicable, 80 the defeat Of I'M
founded and unjust demands upon the
Government; and | would suggest as
means of preventing fraud, that witnesses
be called upon to appear in person to testify
before the tribunals having said claims
before them for adjudication.
Probably the largest saving to the Ma
tonal Treasury can be secured by timely
legislation on these subjects, OF any OF the
economic measures that will be proposed.
You will be advised Of the operations of
The department ofiuslce by the report OF the
Attorney General and invite your atten-
ZION to the amendments of existing laws
suggested by him, with the view Of rcduc-
ing the expenses of that department.
The policy inauguratcd toward the lndi-
ans at the beginning of the last Admins
tration has been steadily pushed, and, be
iievc, with beneficial results. II will be
continued with only such modification rs
lime and experience may demonstrate as
necessary with the enCrOachmcnts OF civil
izati on upon the Indian reservations and
hunting-groundS. Disturbances have taken
place between The Indians and the whites
during the past year, and probably Will
continue 10 do so until each race apprecl-
ates that the other has rights which must
bn 40 n
icct the Indians as rapidly as possible ON
reservations, and, as far as practicable,
within what is known Nv the Indian Terri
tory and to teach them the arts OF CiviIiIa-
ion and Selfsupport Whenever found of
their reservations and cndangerng the
peace and safety of the whites, they have
been punished, and will continue to be for
ike offences. The Indian Territory, south
If Kansas and west Of Arkansas, is sufficient
n area and agricultural resources to support
all the Indians of the Rocky mountains.
IN time no doubt, all of them, except few
who may select to make their homes among
white people, will be collected there. A.
preparatory step for this con,Ummation,
am now satisfied that territorial form OF
government should be given them, which
will secure the treaty rights Of the orig
nal settlers and protect their homcNcads
rom alienation for q period OF twenty
years.
The operation, Of the Patent Office are grow
Ing to such magnitude and che accumulation
Of material is becoming great, that the ne
ucssity for more room j, becoming obvious day
by day. respectfully invite your attention TO
the reports of the Secretary of the lnterorand
Commissioner of Patents on thi, subject.
The business Of the General Land Office cy-
hiDltS material increase in all it, branches
during the last fiscal year. During that time
here were disposed of out Of the public lands,
3OS9,GOb acres being an amount greater by
lGj,63l acres than was disposed Of during the
.rrcadn@ year OF the amount disposed Of
'62G26 acres were sold for cash: PA, $40 acres
were located with military land warrants; $, 1!3
Ul2 acres were taken for hOmcstcads Gj3 i4G
acres were located with agricultural college
scrip: so, 80 acres were certified by railroads :
TG5 1jG acres were granted To wagon roads :
G}>5+S acres were approved to States as swamp