Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1885-12-05


/ and much beyond the charges made to pri-
vats persons for services not lass burden
some.
| Some ofgthe steamship companies, upon the
| refusal of the Postmaster General to attempt
/ by this means provided the distribution OF the
/ sum appropriated ~ az extra compensa-
tion, withdrew the services Of their vessels
4 and thereby occasinned slight Inconvenience
though no considerabls injury. The mails
| have been dispatched by other means
| Whatever may be Thoughts of the policy Of
| subzidizing amy line OF public conveyance or
travel am satisfied that ID Should not bs
| done under coverof an expenditure nor should
there be any uncertainty to the recip-
| ients OF the subsidy or any discretion left
| TO an executive officer as TO its distribution.
| Ii such gifts Of public money are 70 be
made FOR the purpose Of aiding any enter
| prise in the supposed interest OF the public
| can not but think the amount TO be- paid
| and the beneficiary might better be deter
| mined by Congress than in any other way.
The International Congress of delegates
| from ths Postal Union countries convened az
| Lisbon, in Portugal. 10 February last. aud
after q session OF some weeks the delegates
| signed convention atnendatory of the pres
| emf Postal MON Convention, In some par
ticuiars designed TO advance Its purposes.
This additional act has had my approval and
will be laid before you with departmental
report.
approve the Recommendation of the POST
master General that another assistant be
provided for his department. Invite your
consideration TO the several other recon-
mendations contained in his report.
THE JUDICIAL.
The report Of the Attorney General con-
talns history OF the conduct of the De-
partment of Justice during the last year
aud number of valuable suggestions as to
needed legislation, and l invite your careful
attention to tae same. The condition OF
business in the of the United Stetesis
such that there seems 10 be an imperative me-
cessity for remedial legislation on the subject.
Some OF these courts are SO overwhelmed
with pending causes that ths delays in de-
termlning litigation amount often to do
NAL of justice. Among the plans suggested
for relief is one submitted by the ATTORNEY
General. It's main features are the transfer
OF all the original jurisdiction OF the Circui5
Courts 20 ths Dlstrlcs Courts and an in
crease Of Judges for the latter when neces-
sary, an addition Of Judges to the Circuit
Courts and constituting them exclusively
courts OF appeal and reasonably uniting ap-
peals thereto.
causes from ths Stats 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. / approve
the plan thus outlined, and recommend the
legislation necessary for its application TO
our Judicial system.
ABUSES OF OFFICE.
The present mode of compromising United
States Aarsbals and District ATTORNEYS
should, in my opinion, be changed. They
are allowed TO charge against the Govern
ment certain fees for services, their income
being measured by the amount Of such fees.
within fixed limit, as to their annual ag-
gregate. This is direct inducement for them
TO make their fees in criminal cases as large
as possible in an effort TO reach the maxi
mum sum permitted. As an entirely natur-
al Consequences interruptions Marsnals ara
found encouraging frivolous prosecutions,
arresting people ON petty charges of crime
and transporting than to distant places for
examination and trial for the purpose OF
earning mileage and other fees.
In connection with this subject desire to
suggest the adEisab ility, il u be found not
obnoxious to constitutional objection, of In
vesting United States Commissioners with
the power TO try ana determine certain vio-
lation of law within the grade of misds-
naeanors- Such trials might be made tt9 de-
pend upon the option of the accused. The
multiplication of small aad technical Of
fensss. especially under the provisions of our
internal revenue law, render some change
In our present SYSTEM very desirabls in the
interests of humanity as well as economy.
The District Courts are now crowded with
petty prosecutions, involving q punishment,
In cases of conviction, of only q slight fine
while the parties accused are harassed by an
enforced attendance upon courts held hun
dreds of miles from their homes. II poor
and frlendless, they are obliged TO remain In
jail during months, perhaps, that elapse be-
fore a session OF the court is held, and are
finally brought to trial surrounded by
strangers and with but little real opportunity
fer defense.
In the meantime, frequently the Marshal
has charged against the Government his fees
for an arrest, the transportation of the ac-
cused and the expense of the same, and for
snmmoning witnesses beforS a com missioner,
grand jury and a court; the witnesses have
been paid from the public funds large fees
and travelling expenses, and tas commission
er and district attorney have also mads their
charges against the Government. This abuse
in the administration of our criminal law
should be remedied. and if the plan above
suggested is not practicable some other should
be devised.
THE INDIAN PROBLEM.
The report OF the Secretary Of the Inte-
rior, containing an account of the operations
of this important department and much in
terostlng information. will be submitted for
your consideration. The most intricate and
difficult subject in charge of this department.
is the treatment and management OF the
Indians. am satisfied that some progress
may be noted in their condition as q re-
suit of u prudent administration of the
present laws ana regulations for their control.
But Il is submitted that there is lack of &
liked purpose of policy on this subject,
which should be supplied. 1t is useless TO
dilsts upon the wrongs Of the Indians, aud
as USELESS TO indulge in the heartless belief
that because their wrongs are revenged in
their own alFocious manner, therefore, they
should be extermiDatod. They are within
the care OF our Government, and thsir
rights are, or should be, protected from ia
vasion by the most solemn obligation. They
are properly enough called the wards of the
Government, and 1t should be borne In mind
that this guardiansnip In wolves, on our part,
efforts for the Improvement Of their conoi-
ton and the enforcement of their rights.
There seems TO be general concurrence
in the proposition that the ultimate result OF
tGeir treatmenG should be civilization and
citizenship. Fitted by those to keep nace in
the march of progress with the advanced
civilization around them, they will readily
AssimIlats with tue mass Of eur population,
assuming the responsibilities anu receiving
tns protection incident to this condition. Ths
difficulty appears TO be in the selection of the
means 10 be at present employed
toward the attainment of this result.
Our Indian population, exclusive OF those
III Alaska. Is reported as numbering EGO, 600,
nearly ali being located on lands set apaFs
for their Use aud occupation, ag2regating
over l34, 00O, 600 Of acres. These lands are
included IL boundaries of III reservations Of
different dimensions, scattered in 81 states
ana lsrFlteries, presenting great variations
in climate and IN The kind and quality of
their soils. Among the Injlans upon these
several reservations thars exist the most
marked differences in national traits and
disposition, and III their progress
toward civilization. While some are
lazy, vicious. and stupid, others are
Industrious, peaceful, aud intelligent.
porting and Independent. and have so far
advanced in civilization that buey make LhajF