San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1879-01-11

from nearly all the civilized countrie,
OF the world. 1t adopted q new consti
tution, to take the place Of the treaty
concluded at. Berne, October 0, 1874
which goes into effect on the LIST o.
April, 1879, between the countries who's,
delegates have signed it. II was ratified
and approved by and with the consent
OF the president August IS, 1878, A
synopsis of the universal postal oonycn
ton will be found in the report of the
postmaster general, and the full text in
the appendix thereto. In its origin the
postal union Comprised twenty.three
countries, having a population of 350,,
100000 OF people. On the LIST Of April
next it will comprise forty-thrce coun-
tries and colonies with q population OF
more than 65O,OOO,O0O of people, and
will soon, by the accession Of the fow
remaining countries and colonies which
maintain organized postal services, con-
stitute in fact as well as inname, as its
new title indicates, universal union,
regulating upon a uniform basis of cheap
postage rates, the post intercourse be-
tween all civilized nations. Some en-
barrassment has arisen out Of the con-
hict between the customs laws of the
country and 1.-The provisions Of the pos
tai convention, in regard to the trans
mission of foreign books and newspa-
pers to this country by mail. It is hoped
that congresswih be able to devise some
means of reconciling the difficulties
which have thus been created, so as to
do justice to all parties involved,
FEDERAL COURTS "
The business of the supreme court
and of the courts in many Of the cir
cults, has increased to such nm extent,
during the past years, that additional
legislation is imperative to relieve and
prevent the delay of justice and possible
oppression to suitors which is thus occa-
stoned. The encountered condition Of
these dockets is presented anew in the
report of the attorney general and The
remedy suggested is earnestly urged for
action. The creation of
additional circuit judges as proposed
would afford complete remedy and
would involve an expense at the present
rate OF salaries of not more than $780,
900 year. 'asrst
~ INDIAN AFFAIRS.
The annual reports of the secretary
of the interior and of the commissioner
of Indian affairs, present on elaborate
account Of the present condition of the
Indian tribes, and of that branch Of the
public service which ministers to their
interest. While the conduct Of the In
dams, generally, has been orderly, and
their relations with their neighbors
friendly and Apeaceable, two local dis
turbances have occurred which were de
plorable in their character, but remain
happily confined to q comparatively
small number of Indians. The discon-
tent among the Bannocks, which led
first to some acts Of violence on the part
ofssome members of the ribe, and final
ly toithe outbreak, appears to hayesbeen
caused by nm insuficiency of food on
the reservation, and this insufficiency
seems to have been owing to the made
quacy Of the appropriations made by
congress to the wants of the Indians, ut
a time when the Indians were prevented
from supplying the deficiency by hunt
ing. After an arduous pursuit by the
troops of the United States, and several
engagements, the hostile Indians were
reduced to subsection and the larger
part of them surrendered themselves as
prisoners. In this connection I desire
to call attention to the recommendation
made by the secretary of the interior,
that a sufficient fund be placed at the
disposal of the executive, to be used
with proper accountability, Mt discre-
ton, in sudden emergencies OF Indian
service. The other case of disturbance
was that of n band of northern Chey-
ennes, who suddenly left their reserva-
ton in the Indian Territory, and march
ed rapidly through the states of Kansas
and Nebraska, in the direction of their
old hunting grounds, committing muir
ders and other crimes on their way.
From documents accompanying the re-
port of the secretary of the interior it
appears that this disorderly band was
as fully supplied with the necessaries of
life MS were the 400 other Indians who
remained quietly on the reservation, and
that the disturbance was caused by men
of restless and mischievous disposition.
among the Indians themselves. Almost
the whole of this band have surrendered
to military authorities, and it is graft
fying fact when some of them had taken
refuge in the camp Of Red Cloud, a
Sioux with whom they had hecn in
friendly relations, the Sioux held them
as prisoners and readily gave them mp
to the officers of the United States, thus
giving new proof of tho loyal spirit
which, alarming rumors to the contrary
notwithstanding, they have uniformly
shown ever since the wishes they ex-
pressed at the council, September, 1877.
Ia l.aa,, ao,nyIia1 with