Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1880-04-16
Agents for the .Teller.'


Report pr the U. ,. Grand Jury,
In the District Court of tia First
Judicial District of Idaho Territory,
in Nez Percs county, setting for the
trial Of causes arising under the con-
stitution Of the United States.
March term, A. d. 1880.
To the Hon. Norman Buck, Dis
trict Judge:
The grand jury Of the First Judicial
District having finished the business
brought before them, beg leave to re-
pert as follows:
We first devoted attention to our
public lands, believing them to be the
great revenue of wealth, and the foun-
dation of our increasing population.
Much Of the time Of our prolonged SEES
sion, we have given to the taking and
final proof of homestead and pre-emp-
ton claims, and timber culture acts.
We have carefully examined seven
cases Of perjury and have found three
indictments. We deem it due to the
law and to bona tide settlers, to state
that there appears to be much negli-
gence in observing the full require
ments Of the law in this matter. We
have sndeavored, with all the means
at our command, to check the tenden-
cy to monopolize lands with only q
nominal compliance with the liberal
spirit Of our lard laws, and we trust,
a. q result, that there will be no com
plants in future donating the danger
GUS tendency Of proving up" on in
sufficient settlement and residence.
We have examined to much less ex-
tent, but with no less interest, the vio-
lations Of the timber acts. Our for
ests, next TO our lands, are prime ne
oessities in support Of increasing popu-
1ation. We are glad to observe that,
though no convictions have hitherto
bssn made upon indictments for cult
ing timber on the public lands, yet the
moral effect of such prosecutions have
greatly exalted the tone Of public sen
timent, and hence, as general rule,
oil manufacturers Of timber within the
district are willing to pay the royalty
to the government in the shape Of
stumpAge, and thus settle the claims
Of the government without criminal
prosecutions as public trcspassers
But there is class Of trespasscrs who
claim exemption from either civil OF
criminal prosecutions. That class il
composed Of the railroad contractors
who claim hy virtue Of the char
tiers Of their corporations, the timber
on ell lands adjacent to the line Of tn,
railroad. The legal question Is mo-
clear, and We believe it would be vel
to have the matter referred to the de
partment Of justice for special instruc
tons rather than go to harassing liti
CATION and much costs.
We have given much attention alst
to tho Indian problem of the district
We have strong reason to believe tina
Indian murders have ceased, and tina
the most distant settlers may rest il
comparative security. There is bu
one source Of danger and that is from
six Of the Shsepesters' band, now sutf
cred to Be about one hundred mile
east Of Warrens, in Idaho county
Hence there may be some danger t
the settlers and miners Of the remot,
valleys from this source, and we hops
under the better sentiments of equa
Justice to white or red murdenrs il
the departmental quarters Of justic'
and war at Washington, that thos,
who committed such diabolical crime.
before tho Nee Perce war Of 1877 was
begun, and in timeof profound peacs
and inspecting security, win beprompt
~ surrounded and brought to punish
ment. This indeed is poor atonemcni
for the pangs Of the living, but the
trials thus far had in such cases, and
tho sure and igncminious penalty,
have done moro than dozen well
fought battles to subdue the spirit, and
tame the savage nature of the red men,
In conclusion We would return our