Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1874-12-17
shed-in resistance to constituted anthorityy

shed--in resistance to constituted authortyg
/ j sympathize with their PROSTATE con-
dition, and would do all in my power to
| relieve them, acknowledging that in some in
stances they have had most trying govern
| ments to live under, and very oppressive ones
| in the way of taxation for nominal improve
| ments, not giving benefits equal to the hard
| ships imposed; but can they proclaim them
| selves entirely blamless for this condition?
| They cannot Violence has been rampant
in some localities, and has further been justi-
| fled or denied by those who could have
prevented it. The theory is raised that
| there Is to be no further interference on
| the part of the General Government to
| protect citizens within State where
the State authorities fail to give protection.
| This is a great mistake. While remain the
Executive all the laws of Congress and the
provisions of the Constitution including the
amendments added thereto, will be enforced
| with rigor, with but regret that they should
have added one jot or title to the Executive
duties and powers Let there be fairness in
the discussion of Southern questions, the ad-
| yocatcs of both or all political parties giving
honest and truthful reports of occurrences,
condemnng the wrong and upholding the
right, and soon all will be we'll Under exist.
| ing circumstances the negro votes the
| Republican ticket because he knows his
| Fl ends are of that party. Many good cit
! izen votes the opposite not because he agrees
| arate the parties, but because, generally, he
| is opposed to negro rule. This is a most de-
! lusive cry Treat the negro as Il citizen and
| voter, as he Is and mustremain, and soon par
| ties will be divided not on the color line, but
on principle. Then we shall have no COM
| plant of sectional interferences
JUDICIAL AFFAIRS.
The report of the Attorney General contains
valuable recommendations relating to the ad-
| ministraton of justice in tho courts of the
United States, to which l invite your atten-
ton.
l respectfully suggest to Congress the pro-
priety of increasing the numoer of the judi
cial districts in the United States to eleven,
the present number being nine, and the crea-
ton of two additional Judgeships. The ter
ritory to be traversed by the Circuit Judges
is so great and the business Of the courts SO
steadily increasing that it is growing more
and more impossible for them to keep up
with the business requiring their attention.
Whether this would involve the necessity of
adding two more Justices Of the Supreme
Court to the present number submit to the
judgment of Congress.
THE INTERIOR.
The attention of Congress is invited to the
| report of the Secretary of the Interior and to
the legislation asked for by him. The domes-
tic interests of the people are more intimately
connected with this department than with
either of the other departments OF the Gov
eminent. Its duties have been added to from
time to time until they have become SO oner-
Gus that, without the most perfect system and
order, it will be impossible for any Secretary
of the Interior to keep trace of all official
transactions having his sanction and done in
his name, and for which he is held person
ally responsible.
The policy adopted for the management of
Indian affairs known as the "peace policy"
has been adhered to with the most beneficial
results. 1t is confidently hoped that a few
years more will save OR frontier from Indian
depredations. l commend the recommends
ton of the Secretary for the extension of the
Homestead laws to the Indians, and for some
sort of territorial government for the Indian
Territory. A great majority of the Indians
occupying this Territory are believed to be
incapable of maintaining their rights against
the more civilized and enlightened men. Any
territorial form OF government given Them
therefore, should protect them in their homes
and property for period of at least twenty
years, and before its final adoption should be
ratified by a majority of those affected.
The report of the Secretary of the Interior,
herewith attached, gives some interesting sta
tistical information, which | abstain from Civ
ing an abstract of, but refer you to the repor
itself.
PENSIONERS OF THE WAR OF 1872.
The act of Congress providing the oath
which pensioners must subscribe before
drawing their pensions cuts off from this
bounty few survivors of the war of 1912 re-
siding in the Southern States. l recommend
the restoration of this bounty to all such
The number of persons whose names would
be restored to the list of pensioners is not
large. They are all old persons who could
have taken no part in the rebellion, and the
services for which they were awarded pen
sions were in defense of the whole country.
THE CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION.
n.
culture, herewith attached, contains suggcs-
tons of much interest to the general public
andlrefers to the approaching Centennial and
thefpart his department is ready to take in it.
| feel that the nation at large is interested in
having this Exposition success, and CON-
mend to Congress such action as will secure
a greater general interest in it. Already
many foreign nations have signifed their in
tention to be represented at it, 1t may be
expected that every civilized nation will be
represented.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
The rules adopted to improve the civi,
service of the Government have been adhered
to as closely as has been practicable with the
opposition with which they meet. The effect
OF it has been beneficial on the whole and has
tended to the elevation of the service; but it
is implacticable to maintain them without the
direct and positive support of Congress.
Generally, the support which this reform re-
ceiyes is from those who give it their support
only to find fault when the rules are
apparently departed from. Removals
from office without preferring charges
against parties removed are frequently
cited as departures from the rules adopted,
and the retention of those against whom
charges are made by irresponsible persons
and without good grounds is also often con-
demned as violation of them Under these
circumstances, therefore, | announce that, If
Congress adjourns without positive legisla-
ton on the subject of civil-servce reform"
| viii regard such action as dsapproval Of
the system, and will abandon it. Except so
far as to require examination for certain APP
pointees to determine their fitness, com