Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-12-12

ness, ana from Official postage
stamps, $26, 46S, 323.42; excess of
expenditures, S4,S54, 1SO.42. The or
binary revenue of the postoffice
department for the year ending June
3Oth, 1879, are estimated at an increase
OF three per cent. over those of 1877,
making $29,O34.096.2S, and the expendi-
lures for the same year are estimated
at S36, 427 III, leaving an estimated de-
ficlency for 1879 Of 81 1893 ,392.O2. The
additional legislation recommended by
the postmaster general for improve
ments Of the mail service, and to
protect the postal revenue from the
abuses practiced under existing laws, is
equally recommended to the careful
consideration of congress.
THE REPORT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
contains several suggestions as to the add
ministration Of justice, to which l in
vite attention The pressure Of business
III the supreme court of the United
States is now such that serious DELAYS.
to the great injury and even oppression
Of suitors occur, and remedy should
be sought for this condition of affairs,
whether it will be found in the plan
briefly sketched in the report of increas-
ing the number of judges Of circuit
courts, and by means of
this addition to the judicial force
of creating an intermediate court of
errors and appeals,-or whether some
other mode can be devised for obviat-
ing the difficulties which now exist, /
leave to your mature consldera ton.
THE INDIAN TRIBES
The present condition of the Indian
tribes IN the territory of the United
States, and our relations with them, are
fully set forth in reports of the secre-
tary of the interior and the commits
sioner of Indian affairs After series
of most serious conflicts, the successful
termination of which, while rejecting
honor on the brave soldiers who accom-
plished it, cannot lessen our regret at
the occurrence, we are now at peace
with all the Indian tribes in our borders
To preserve that peace by just and
humane policy will be the object of my
earnest endeavors. Whatever may be
said of their character and savage pro-
pensity of the difficulties of introduce
ing among them the habits of civilized
life, and the obstacles they have offered
to the progress of settling in certain
points in the country, the In
dams are certainly entitled to
every sympathy and conscientious
respect on our part, for their claims
upon our sense ofjustice They were
the aboriginal occupants ofthe lands we
from place to place the purchase
money paid to them in some cases for
what they called their own has still left
them poor. In many instances when
they had settled down upon the land
assigned to them by compact and begun
to support themselves by their own
labors, they were rudely jostled OFT and
thrust into the wilderness again. Many,
if not most all Of our Indian
wars have had their origin
in broken promises and acts of injustice
on our part and the advancing of Indians
in civilization has been slow. We can
not expect them to improve and follow
our guidance unless we keep faith with
them in respecting the rights which they
possess; and unless, instead Of depriv-
ing them Of their opportunities, we lend
them helping hand. I cordially APP
prove the policy regarding the manage
ment Of Indian affairs outlined in re-
ports Of the secretary of the interior
and of the commissioners of Indian
affairs. The faithful performance of
our promises is the first condition of a
good understanding with the Indians. /
cannot too urgently recommend to
congress that prompt and liberal pro-
vision be made for the conscientious
fulfillment Of all agreements entered
into by the government with the Indian
tribes. To withhold the means neces-
sary for the performance of promise,
is always false economy and is apt to
prove disastrous in its consequences.
Especial care is recommended
to provide for the Indians settled
on their reservation, cattle and agricul-
tural implements to aid them i'll what
ever efforts they may make to support
themselves, and by the establishment
and maintenance Of schools to bring
them under the control of civilized in
tiuences. [ see no reason why Indians
who can give satisfactory proof of hay
ing, by their own labor, supported their
families for number of years, and
who are willing to detach themselves
from their tribal relations, should not
be admitted to the benefits of the home
stead act and the privileges Of citizen
ship, and I recommend the passage of
a law to that effect. It will be an act of
justice as we'll as a measure of en-
couragement Earnest efforts are be-
ing made to purify the Indian service
SO that every dollar appropriated by
congress shall rebound to the benefit of
the Indian benefited The efforts will
have my firm support. With an i'm
proved service, and every possible en-
couragement held out to the Indians to
better their condition and to elevate
them in the scale of civilization, we
may hope to do at some time a good
work for them, and for ourselves.
| invite the attention of congress to the
importance Of statements and sugges-
tons by the secretary of the interior
THE TIMBER THEFTS.
Concerning the depredations commit
ted upon timber lands of the United
tot o,,I tho