The new North-west., 1883-12-14
TERRITORIAL INTERESTS.
Some Wise Suggestions In Governor Cros-
bys Report to Secretary Of Interior.
AN INCREASED JUDICIARY pEsrRABLE.

AN IScREAsED JUDICIARY DESIRABLE.
"If Montana Is 10 continue in lis terri
torial condition much longer, there ID an
imperative necessity for increasing the
number Of her judges. This matter has be-
fore been presented to the Department upon
Its merits and the necessity is constantly
increasing. There Is more work than thr ee
judges can now perform, and the same judges
who preside In the district courts, also con-
stitute the supreme court, snd these try :he
appeals from their own rulings and decisions.
Every case that comes before the supreme
court has already been tried before one of
the judges in the court below. There
should be at least three judges to hear and
decide all such cases without prejudice.
Decisions SO rendered would command
greater respect with the bar aud the people.
The same trouble exists IN all the territor.
les, and cannot forbear to urge the mat
ter upon the attention ofyourself, the Depart
ment of Justice and Congress for speedy
remedy. If the suggestion / made last year
to the Senate Committee on Territories is
adopted, attaching the Jurisdiction Of the
the Yellowstone Park TO one Of the districts
of Montana for judicial purposes, as seems
eminently proper, /. will also furnish .
strong reason for increasing the number Of
our judges. .& .....--
THE PENITENTrARY.
The only penitentisry Ia the Territory Is
tho property Of the United States and the
present structure was originally built as .
wing for the main building, and was fur
nished with but tweDty.eight cells. There
are at present confined In the institution
seventy -nine--three times the number that
can be properly accommodated or properly
guarded with the present force under the
warden. The lives of the prison guards
are constantly in danger and escapes are
frequent Of the most desperate Grimm ais.
Many sentenced to terms In the pententisry
are now confined In the county jails. /
would recommend that Congress authorize
the Department of Justice to turn over TO
the Territory the present buildings and
grounds, SO that The main structure might
be erected by the Territory on scale com.
mensurate with its present and growing
necessities. Aud would further recon-
mend the passage of some statute that
would permit the authorities to contr act
with those 10 the older States for the keep
ing Of its long term convicts, at a consi iier-
able saving Of expense and under better dis
cipline.
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
The law governing the intercourse with In
dians
and those especially framed to prevent the
selling Of whisky to Indians are greatly in
need of revision. There Is much doubt and
conflicting decisions upon the question of
what constitutes Indian country, and many
cases fail by reason that the law is by its
terms confined TO "Indians under the charge
Of an Indian agent or superintendent"
Perhaps the whole subject can be mere effect
ually disposed Of when the present reserva-
tions have been cut down, their boundaries
clearly defined, the Indians prevented from
leaving their lands, aud whites also prevent
ed from trespassing or intrudng upon Indian
reservations. Before any convictions are
possible under the present state of affairs,
the compensation TO witnesses should at
least be made sufficient TO pay their actual
necessary expenses In attending court.