The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1880-12-09
NUMBER 36.
America and Of trans-Pacifc countries. is COM
mended to the serious consideration Of Congress
THE rr1DrcJkpv

THE JUnICIARY.
1t is recommended that the number of
judges Of the Circuit Court in each circuit,
with the exception of the Second Circuit,
should be increased by the addition Of another
judge; in the Second Circuit, that two should
be added; and that an intermediate Appellate
Court should be formed in each circuit, to con-
sist Of the Circuit Judges and tho Circuit Jus
tloe, and that in the event Of the absence of
either Of these judges the place Of the absent
Of the District Courts in the circuit. Such an
appellate court could be safely invested with
large Jurisdiction, and its decisions would
satisfy suitors in many cases where appeals
would still be allowed to the Supreme Court
The expense incurred for this intermediate
court will require . very moderate increase Of
the appropriations for the expenses of the De-
partment of Justice. This Recommendation il
commended to the careful consideration Of
Congress.
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
1t gives me great pleasure to say that our In
dian affairs appear to be in o more hopeful con-
dition now than eyer before. The Indixhs
have made gratifying progress in agriculture,
herding and mechanical pursuits. Many who
were few years ago in hostile conflict with the
Government are quietly settling down on farms
where they hope to mako their permanent
homes, building houses and engaging in the oc-
cupations of civilized life. The introduction Of
the freighting business among them has been
many of them conSenial and remunerative em-
ployment, and in stimulating their ambition to
earn their own support. Their honesty, fidelity
and efficiency as carriers are highly praised
The organization of police force Of Indians,
has been equally successful in maintaining law
and order upon the reservations and in exercis-
ing wholesome moral influence among the In
dians themselves. concur with the Secretary
of the Interior in the recommendation that the
pay OF this force be increased, as an inducement
to the best class of young men to enter it.
Much care and attention has been devoted to
the, enlargement of educational facilities for
the Indians. The means available for this inn
portant object have been very inadequate. A
few additional boarding schools at Indian agen-
cies have been established, and the erection Of
buildings has been begun for several more, but
an increase. of the appropriations for this in
teresting undertaking is greatly needed to nc
commodate the large number of Indian child
rem of school age. The numbes of Indian pu-
pills at the Normal School at Hampton, Virgin
ia, under the direction of General Armstrong,
has been considerably increased, and their pro-
gress is highly encouraging. The Indian school
established by the Interior Department in 1879,
at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, under the direction
of Captain Pratt, has been equally successful.
A similar school was established this year at
Forest Grove, Oregon, for the education of In
di IN youth on the Pacific coast.
The expenses Of Indian education have 80
far been drawn from the permanent civilization
fund at the disposal of the Department of the
Interior; but the fund is now 80 much reduced,
that the continuance of this beneficial work
will in the future depend on specific appropri-
ations by Congress for the purpose, and ven
ture to express the hope that Congress will not
permit institutions 80 fruitful of good results,
to perish for want OF means for their support.
The past year has been unusually free from
disturbances among the Indian tribes. An
agreement has heen made with the Utes by
which they surrender their large reservation in
Colorado in consideration of an annuity, to be
paid to them, and agree to settle in severalty
on certain lands designated for that purpose, as
farmers, holding individual title to that land
IN fee-simple, inalienable for certain period.
In this way costly Indian war has been avoid
ed. The conduct of the Indians throughout
the country, during the past year, with but few
noteworthy exceptions, has been orderly and
peaceful.
THE PUBLIC LANDS
large increase is reported in the disposal
of public lands for settlement during the past
year, which marks the prosperous growth OF
our agricultural industry, and vigorous
movement of population toward our unOccuped
lands. As this movement proceeds the codif-
cation of our land laws, as well as proper leg
islation to regulate the disposition of public
lands, become of more pressing necessity, and
therefore invite the consideration of Con-
gress to the report made by the Public Lands
Commission, which were communicated by me
to Congress at the last session. Early action
upon this important subject is highly desirable.
The attention of Congress is again asked to
the wasteful depredations committed on our
public timber lands, and the rapid and indis-
crinlirate destruction of our forests. The
urgent necessity for legislation to this end
now generally recognized. In view of the law
less characters of the depredations committed,
and the disastrous consequences which will in
evitably follow their continuance, legislation
has again and again been recommended to ar
rest the evil and to preserve for the people Of
our Western States and Territories the timber
needed for domestic and other essential uses.
MINING INTERESTS.
The consolidation Of the various geological
and geographical surveys and exploring enter
prises each of which has heretofore operated
upon an Independent plan, without concert,
can not fail to be Of great benefit to all those
industries of tho country which depend upon
the development of our mineral resources. The
labors of scientific men, Of recognizedmerit, who
compose the corps of the Geological Survey,
during the first season Of their field OPERATORS
and inquiries, appear to have been comprehen-
sive, and will soon be communicated to Con-
gress in . number OF volumes. The Director
Of the Survey recommends that the investiga-
tions carried on by his bureau, which, SO far,
have been confined to the so-called public land
States and Territories be cxtendedover the en-
tire country, and that the necessary appropria-
ton be made for this purpose. This would be
particularly beneficial to the iron, coal and
and of the Eastern and Southern States. Tho
subject is commended to the careful considers
ton Of Congress-.
MORE PUBLIC BUILDINGS WANTED.
TheSecretary of the Interior asks attention
TO the want Of room in the public buildings Of
the capital, now existing and in progress Of
construction, for the accommodation of the
clerical force employed, and of the public
records. Necessity has compelled the renting
of private buildings in different parts Of tho
city for the location of public Offices, for
which large amount OF rent is annually paid,
while the separation of Offices belonging to the
same Department impedes the transaction Of
current business. The Secretary suggests that
the blocks surrounding Lafayette Square on
the east, north, and west, be purchased as the
sites for new edilces, for the accommodation Of
the Government Offices, leaving the square it
self intact; and that, if such buildings
were constructed upon harmonious plan Of
architecture, they would add much to the beau
ty of the national capital and would, together
with the Treasury and the new State, Navy,
and War Department bnilding, form one of the
most imposing groups Of public edifcss in the
world.
COMMISSIONER LIE DUG, HIS SUGAR AND HIS TEA.
The Commissioner Of Agriculture expresses
the confident belief that his efforts in behalf Of
the production of our own sugar and tea have
been encouragingly rewarded. The Importance
Of the results attained have attracted marked
attention at home, and have received the spec
ial consideration Of foreign nations. The
successful cultivation of our own tea, and the
manufacture of our own sugar, make differ
epce Of many millions Of dollars annually in
the wealth of the Nation.
The report Of the Commissioner asks at
tention particularly to the continued prevalence
of an infectious and contagious cattle disease,
known and dreaded in Europe and Asia as
cattle-plague, or pleuro-pneumonia. The value
Of neat cattle exported from the United States
| fort f,o aiyhf r1O tha
was more than Sl2, OO0, ,000 and nearly double
the value for the same period in 1879.
THE POTOMAC MARSHES.
In nv annual messages heretofore, I have
urged upon the attention OF Congress the ne
cessity Of reclaiming the marshes OF the Po-
tomac adjacent to the Capital, and l am con-
strained by it's Importance to advert to the