Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-01-31
WASHINGTON LETTER.

Special Correspondence of the Ledger.l
WASHINGTON, January26.-SenatOr
Carpenter to. day called up the bill
reported from the judiciary committee
to punish white men convicted of
stealing the property of Indians. At
ter a non-partizan debate, in which
the technique of the bill was dis
cussed, the matter was sent back to the
committee. The repeatedand success
sive violation Of treaties with Indians
has long since cast upon u govern
ment a stigma. With the exception
of England's conduct toward her sub
jects abroad, no nation nor govern
ment has ever committed such fearful
wrongs as has the United States in its
policy toward the a~borigines of North
America. The conduct Of the gov
ernment is a disgrace to modern civ
ilization and an insultto the religion
of Christian people. / wa not a
little surprised to read an
editorial in the LEDGER advo-
eating the lynching Of the Ute
indians en- route to Washington.
IF the Utes and other Indians would
kill the robbers, assassins and fugi-
tives from justice that leave the United
States and invade the reservations for
the sake of plumber, arson and MUIR
der, they would be justified both by
the divine and the human law. The
policy of the government toward the
Indians is a mOckery Ofjustiee, q farce
and a b~arbarity, p~racticed upon an an
tanned people. Newspapers that adj
voeate summary vengeance upon these
Indians should, to be Consistent. urge
mob law and champion every act d
lynching in the United States. Why
not urge the Christian necessity o.
hanging every graceiess preacher, sin
ming Snnday-school teacher and othei
sainted hypocrits who do more to cor,
rupt and yitiate the people than all the
other agencies combined?
Among the new bills introduced ID
the house yesterday is one by Mr.. Var
Mauuing, of Holly Springs Miss. Il
relates to judges Of United Statei
courts. This bill seeks to reorgsnizt
the Supreme court, which is to consisI
of tw~enty-one Justices, twelve to b
appointed in addition to those now OF
the bench. The chief justice end tel
justices are to be designated to PIE.
side over three divisions Of the court
The business now before the SupremC
court is to be divided up before tht
three courts thus constituted. 1t il
hardly probable that Mr.. Manning
idea Of reconstructing the Suprem,
court Of the United States will crystal
lize itself into q law. Congress will b,
slow 70 change the judiciary system
which has long since become part anC
parcel Of the great elemental constitu
%tutiOnality Of the eountry's govern
ment. | know nothing as to the mer
its of Mr.. Manuings bill. He nigh
do the country some good if he 0oalt
have enacted a law compelling court
to decide all causes within a limitet
time from the date oftheir filing.
To-day MIR. BFagg's house committe
on war claims rejected about half
million dollars of claims. The com
mittee's report says The eommitte
asserts as a principle, by which It vii
be governed, that when a case ha
been fairly heard and determined in
forum having jurisdiction. it will no
assume to sit in review of such deter
minatiOn.' 1t is well known tina
Mr. Bragg's course has induced th
opinion that according to his interprC
tation there we're no loyal men in tn
South during the war hence none
the many Southern claimants, WI
suffered the loss Of their property. al
entitled to compensation or PREPARATION
Mr.. Bragg was a brigadier-general /
the United States army and
a Northern Democrat. He h
JuoOlnSu bHS Dlb Itpcdhbu ar
malignant SANDER OF the Radio
press chat every man, woman al
child in the South were rebels, II
are liable to 80 back 10 their s%ecessi,
principles. There are men in Il
South whose loyalty to the Uni,
caused them to lose their hemes al
all their property. In manyinstano
the property of loyal subjects in 4
South was seized and used by {
United States government. IL N
Bragg's ideas are TO be believed the
men deserve no sympathy and VIC
hypocritical, and must receive
compensation. However prone
may be to condemn the one-stc
brain, the prejudicial views and
sectional dislike Of Mr.. Bragg.
must not be forgotten that many
unmerited claimant has been compt
stated by the government, a
more than one Radical claim ace
has Systematically and ~eonsecutiv,
swindled and robbed beth the Unit
States government and the people