Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1885-12-10

make a report to congress and he says
West Point Is IN excellent shape and the
attendance is unusually large.
The work Of the signal service was re-
ported as improving yearly. I
The navy does not include ship that
can stand. the sens against any pfomi-
nent powl. The president predicts i'm
provement In the service Ia the rear
future, but called the attention Of con-
gress to the abuses that the secretary Of
war found in his department.
| The president refers TO the report Of
the postmaster general and calls atten-
ton to the deficiency in the revenue IL
creates and has secured. The business
Of the country did not give the increas-
ed revenue anticipated, and the reduc-
ton in postal rate contributed to bring
about deficiency.
approve the recommendation Of the
postmaster general to reduce the charges
on domestic money orders Of five dollars
and less from eight to five cents. This
change will materially aid those Of our
people, who most of all avail themselves
Of this intrumentality, but to whom tho
element Of the cheapest is kof the
greatest value.
With this reduction the system would
still remain self-supporting. The free
delivery system has been extended to
nineteen additional cities during the
year and ITS now enjoy its conveniences.
Iapprove the recommendation OF the
postmaster general that another ASST. tant
be provided for his department.
The report Of the attorney general
contains history of the conduct of the
department Of justice during the last
year.
Further restriction Of the right to re-
move the cause from the State to Fed
erai courts, permitting appeals to the
Supreme Court from tho courts of the
District OF Columbia and the Terrific
ries only in the same cases as they are
allowed from State courts, and guard
ing against an unnecessary number of
appeals from the circuit courts. I ap-
prove the plan thus outlined, and
recommend the legislation necessary for
its application to our judicial system.
The present mode Of compensating
United States Marshals and District
Attorneys should. in my opinion, be
changed. They are allowed to charge
against the government certain fees for
service, their income being measured
by amount Of such fees within fixed
limit Ms to their annual aggregate.
| This is direct inducement for them to
make their fees in criminal cases as
largsas possible in an effort to reach
the maximum sum permitted.
In connection with this subject I desire
to suggest the advisabiiity---if it be
found not open to constitutional
ojection-of investing United States
Commissioners with the power to try
and determine certain violations of law
within the grade of misdemeanors.
4 Such trials might be made to de-
pend upon the option of the accused.
The Districts courts are now crowded
with petty prosecutions. involving q
punishment in cases of conviction, of
only slight fine, while parties ac-
cused are harrassed beyond endurance.
/ THE INDIAN QUESTION.
The report of the Secretary of the
Interior, containing an account of the
operations of this important depart
ment, and much interesting informa-
tion, will be submitted for your consid-
alton. The most intricate and difficult
subject in charge Of this department is
the treatment and management of In
dians. / am satisfied that some prog
ress may be noted in their condition,
as result of prudent administration
of the present laws and regulations for
their control. But it is submitted that
there is lack of fixed purpose or pol
10y on this subject which should be
supplied.
/ Our Indian population, exclusive of
those in Alaska, is reported as number
lag 100000. nearly all being located on
lands set apart for their use and occu-
patton, aggregating over 134,00o, ,000
OF acres. These lands are included in
boundaries of I'll reservations of differ
ent dimensions, scattered in twenty.
one States and Territories, presenting
great vari ttions in climate and in the
kind and quality of their soils Among
Indians upoR these several reservations
there exist the most marvellous differ.
ence in natural traits and dispositions
While some are lazy. vicious and stu,
pid. others are industrious, peaceable
and intelligent, while portion O
them are self-supporting and inde-
pendent and have SO far advanced in
civilization that they make their own
laws, administered through officers o.
their own choice, and educate theil
children in schools Of their own cstab
lishment and maintenance. Others
still retain in squallor and depend
ence almost the savagery Of their nat
ural state.
In dealing with this question, th,
desires manifested by the INDIAN
should not be ignored. Here again w
find great diversity. Some Of th,
tribal relations are preserved will til,
utmost tenacity, while its hold upor
! others is considerably relaxed. Th,
love of home is strong with all, and ye
there are those whose attachment to
particular locality is by no means nm
yielding. The ownership Of their lnnd.
in seyeralty is much desired by some
while by others, and sometimes ths
/ most civilized. sucli q distribution
would be bitterly opposed.
The variation of their wants growing
out Of and connected with the differ
ence Of their several locations sloult