Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1880-04-23
Important Legis;stf IN for Idahs.
IDAHO TERRITORY ~'
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
M n l%S7 QUn

non. Geo. .4nSfte, house o. HtpFS-
sentatirss, Washingso5 D. c.. 4
DEAR SIR:-Many thanks for your
kind note Ut the I4th. : ~
l hope for success in securing the
passage of your bills for the benefit of
Idaho. That providing for justices of
the peace in neighborhoods now desti-
tute, b locally very necessary. 1t isl
rather Notifying to ask Congress to
supply defe..s caused by the indiffer-
ence of our own legislature. There
arc other matters in which we may
have TO ask Congress to do better for
as than We do for ourselves.
Whih itis better for the Territory
to havN our prisoners kept, " the
United States under existing Arrange-
ments, than to undertake that service
ourselves, the burden can he mitigated
and the prisoners hene6ted by author
lied and systematic labor. We have
no mechanical industries to be dis
turbed by competition. no trades un-
Ions, no workingmens combinations to
oppose or to interfere with any mode
Of employment that tho authorities Of
the prison may adopt Under such a
provision of Congress new Industries
can be created. and our people sup
piled with cheap articles of dostmeic
consumption, nowmads dear by profits
paid and cost Of transportation from
great distances. In this effort you
will have the aid Of delegates from all
the territories, nor can / conceive a
reason for opposition from any quarter.
In this matter | anticipate you success.
1t is very important, from many
considerations, that this session pass
not by without law for adjusting
claims growing out of the Nez Perces
and Bannock wars. 1t must be borne
in mind that the United States re-
serves sole control and care of the In
diAns, and the courts place them out
aide the territories, as respects iuris-
diction, though inside, geographically
and physically, so AZ to menace our
settlements and induce deadly conflicts,
It il The manifest duty Of the govern
ment to restrain, as we'll as protect
them. They are the wards of the ma.
ton; we are Of the nation itself, and
none will say that the Government
owes less to its own citizens than to
these Indian wards. 1t being the
manifest duty OF the Government to
protect its citizens, by military meas
ures, if need be, and failing to so do,
for want Of ali adequate force, it is
bound to repair the consequences Of its
neglect This is no new doctrine; but
runs through all our history. To make
compensation for services and losses
like these il the rule---to fail or refuse
tho exception. 81
l win mention, in aid Of your ef-
fort; that in Northern Idaho organized
bodies Of volunteer citizens, served
auxiliary to the regular forces re.
ceived orders from regular army Of
ficers and joined in movements and
battles under their command. The
published orders and reports show
this. The governor Of Idaho organ
lied attachments, and dispatched them
to the guarding Of ferries, and keeping
open lines Of communication upon the
request Of military 4 commanders.
Though 10 formal call for volunteers
was made, service was asked for, rem
dercd and officially recognized.
: do not understand that the La.
bility Of the Government for supplies
furnisAed and spoliations suffered is
der.iesl.
Do not think it proper to ask Con-
grcss TO act upon claims, by al
lowing accounts in individual cases.
No coihmittee, however vigilant and
labprious, can sift accounts and arrive
mtg Justice, My own attention has
Ictisn attracted to some that ought not
to be allowed, except perhaps, in part.
An improper claim paid, or even con-
sidered, prejudices those that have
merritt The proper course is, and will
doubtless be, to authorize commission
or boarl to audit aud report upon all
clailnA thus furnishing safe guide to
Congressional actiou The people de-
sire and deserve this recognition, and
will be Impatient and hard to satisfy,
if action be deferred beyond the pres
emit session.
The.building Of military roads, be-
ing forconveniencc Of army movement
tho public convenience being only a
necessary incident, you cannot take as