Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-09


SUBSIDY APPROPRIATIONS.
Whatever may be thought Of the policy of
subsdizing any line OF public conveyance or
travel am satisfied that it should not be done
under cover OF an expenditure incident to the
administration of a department, nor should
there be any uncertainty as to the recipients
oil the subsidy, or any discretion left to an
executive of1cer as to it's distribution. II
such gifts of the public money are to be made
Tor the purpose OF aiding any enterprise in the
supposed interest of the public, cannot but
think that the amount to be paid and the ben
etciary might better be determined by Con-
gress than in any other way.
Milne international congress OF delegates
from the postal union countries convened at
Lisbon, in Portugal, in February last, and
after session Of some weeks the delegates
signed convention amendatory of the
present postal union convention in some par
tculars designed TO advance its purposes.
Tn1s additional act has had my approval, and
will be laid before you with the departmental
report. ] approve the recommendation OF the
Postmaster General that another assistant be
provided for his department. l invite your
consideration to the several other recon-
mendatlons contained In his report.
THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
The report of the Attorney General con-
tains history of the conduct of the depart
ment of justice during the last year and a
number of valuable suggestions ae to needed
legislation, and invite your careful atten-
tiOn to the same. The condition of business
there seems 80 be an imperative necessity for
remedial legislation on the subject. Some of
these courts are so overburdened with pend
ing causes that The delays in determining lit
lgatlon amount often to denial OF Justice.
RELIEF PLANS.
Among the plans suggested for relief is one
submitted by the Attorney General. Its main
features are: The transfer of all the original
jurisdiction of the Circuit Courts to the Dis
trict Courts, and an increase of Judges for
latter WhpTH addition
Judges to the Circuit Courts and constituting
them exclusively Courts of Appeal, and Tea-
sonably limiting appeals thereto; further
causes from the State to the Federal courts,
permitting appeals to the Supreme Court
from the courts of the District of Columbia,
and the territories only in the same cases as
they are allowed from state courts and
guarding against an unnecessary number of
appeals from the Circuit Courts. l approve
the plan thus outlined, and recommend the
legislation necessary for its application to
our judicial system.
FEES OF MARSHALs.
The present mode of compensating United
States marshals and district attorneys should,
in my opinion, be changed. They are al
lowed to charge against the government GER
tain fees for services, their Income being
measured by the amount of such fees within a
fixed limit as to their annual aggregates.
This is direct inducement for them to make
their fees in criminal cases as large as posi-
Ole IN an eUOFl 10 reach Inc maximum SUN
permitted. As an entirely natural conse-
quence, interruptions marshals are found en-
couraglng frivolous prosecutions, arrest
ing people on petty charges of crime,
places for examination and trial for
the purpose of earning mileage
and other fees and District Attorneys uselessly
attend criminal examinations, far from their
places of residence, for the express purpose OF
swelling their accounts against the govern
ment. Che actual expenses incurred in these
transactions are also charged against the
government Thus the tights and freedom
of our citizens are outraged. and public ex-
penditures increased for the purpose of fur
nishing public officers pretexts for increasing
the measure of their compensation.
SALARIES FAVORED.
/ think Narshals and District Attorneys
should be paid salaries, adjusted by a rule
which will make them commensurate with
services fairly rendered. In connection with
this subject, desire TO suggest the advisa-
bility, if it be found not obnoxious to cOnsti
tutiOnal objection, of investing United States
Commissioners with the power to try and de-
termine certain violations of law within the
grade of misdemeanOrs. Such trials might be
made to depend upon the option OF the &C
cused. The multiplication OF small and tech
nical Offenses, especially nnder the provis-
ions of our internal revenue law, render some
change in our present system very desirable in
the interets OF humanity as well as economy.
The district courts are now crowded with
petty prosecutions, involving punishment in
eases of conviction OF only a slight fine, while
the parties accused are harassed by an en-
forced attendance upon courts held hundreds
of miles from their homes. If poor and friend
less, they are obliged TO remain in Jail during
months, perhaps, that elapse before a session
of the court is held, and are finally brought
to trial surrounded by strangers and with but
little real opportunity for defense. In the
meantime frequently the marshal has charg-
ed against the government his fees for an ar
rest, the importation of he accused, and
Of hx4a
witnesses before commissioner and district
attorney. who have also made their charges
against the government. This abuse in the
administration of our criminal law should be
remedied, and if the lplan above suggested is
not practicable, some other should be devised.
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
The report of the Secretary of the Interior,
containing an account of the operations Of
this important department and much inter-
esting information, viii be submitted for your
consideration. The most intricate and diff
cult subject in charge of this department is
the treatment and management of the Indi-
ans. am satisfied that some progress may
be noted in their condition AS a result of a
prudent administration of the present laws
and regulations for their CONTROL. But it is
submitted that there is lack of a fixed pur-
pose or policy on this subject which
should be supplied. IL is useless to
dIlate upon the wrongs of tine
Indians. and as useless to indulge in the heart
less belief that because their wrongs are re-
NenStu IN tnelr own dIrOClOuS manner, there
fore they should be eXterminated. They are
within the care OF our government, and their
rights are. or should be, protected from inva-
sion by the most solemn obligations. They are
properly enough called the wards of the gov
eminent. and II should be borne in mind that
this guardianship involves on our part efforts
for the Improvement of their condition, and
the enforcement of their rights.
CIVILIZATION THE ULTIMATE OBJECT.
There seems TO be general concurrence in
the proposition that the ultimate object of
their treatment should be their civilization
and citizenship Fitted by these to Keen
peace In the march OF progress with the adj
vanced civilization about them, they will
readily assimilate with the macs of our popu-
lation, assuming the responsibilities and re-
ceiving the protection incident TO this con-
dition. The difficulty appears to be in the
selection Of the means to be at present en-
ployed toward the attainment OF this
OF those in Alaska. Is reported
rs numbering 100000 nearly all being located
on lands set apart for their Use and occupa-
ton. aggrtgatng over l84, 100000 acres
These lands are included in the boundaries Of
III reservations of different dimensions scat
tered in II states and Territories. presenting
great variations in climate and in the kim
and quality of their soils. Among the In
diane on these reservations there exists the
most marked differences in natural traits and
disposition, and in their progress toward civ
ilization. While some are lazy, vicious and
stupid, others are industrious, peaceful and
intelligent.
SOME IN sAVAGRY.
While n portion of them are self-supportinR
and independent, and have 80 far advanced
hot H., NN,.g,s