The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-12-15
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

MODIFICATION NEEDED.
The acting attorney general calls attention to
the necessity of modifying the present system
Of the courts Of the United States, a necessity
due to the large increase of business, especial
ly in the supreme court. Litigation in our
federal tribunals became greatly expanded
after the close of the late war. So long
as that expense might be attributed
to the abnormal condition in which the
community found itself Immediately
after the return of peace prudence required
that no change be mado in the constitution of
the tribunals; but it has now become apparent
that immense increase of litigation has re-
suited from the wonderful growth and devel-
opment Of the country. There is no ground
for belief that the business of the United
States courts will ever be less in volume than
at present. Indeed that it is likely to be much
greater is generally recognized by
the bench and bar: In view
much consideration to this subject, l make no
suggestion as to detail, but express the hope
that your deliberations may result in such leg
islation as will give carly relief to our over
burdened courts. The acting attorney general
also calls attention to the disturbance Of he
public tranquility during the past year in the
Territory of Arizona. A band of armed des-
peradoes, known as
COWBOYS,
probably numbering from fifty to 100 men,
hes been engaged for months in committing
acts of lawlessness and brutality, which the
local authorities have been unable to repress.
The depredations OF these cowboys have also
extended into Mexico, which the marauders
reach from the Arizona frontier. With every
disposition to meet the exigencies of the case
I am embarrassed by lack of authority
to deal with them effectually. The
punishment of crimes committed within Ari-
IONA should ordinarily, of course, be left to the
territorial authorities. but it is worthy of con-
sideration whether acts which necessarily tend
to embroil the United States with neighboring
governments should not be declared crimes
against the United States. Some of the incur
sions alluded to may perhaps be within the
SCOPE Of the law, revised statute sections
1886, forbidding military expeditions or en-
terprises against friendly states; but in
view of - the speedy assemblage
Of YOUR body I have preferred to
await such legislation as in your wisdom the
occasion may seem to demand 1t may perhaps
be thought proper to provide that the setting
on foot within our own territory Of brigandage
and armed marauding expeditions against
friendly nations, and their citizens shall be
punishable as an oifense against the United
States. will add that in the event Of re-
quest from q elritorial government for
protection by the United Sta1eo against
domestic violence, this governmoo1 would be
powerless to render assistance. The act of
A795, chapter SO, passed st. time when Terri
4soaal governments received little attention
from congress, enforced this duty OF the United
States only as to State government; but the
act Of 1907, chapter 80, applied also to tie
Territories This law seems to have remained
IN force until the revision Of tho statutes