Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-12-16

mend the Legislation necessary for it's applica-
t1on to our Judicial system.
:. The present mode of compromising United
SIaGes MarshRls and District Attorneys should,
IN my opinion, be changed. They are allowed
TO charge against the Government certain fees
Tor service their incomes being measured by the
amount of such fees within fixed limit to their
annual aggregate. This is direct inducement
for them to make their fees in criminal cases as
large as possible in an effort to reach the
maximum sum pernit.e0. AS entirely
natural consequence INSCRIPTIONS Marsha1s
are found encouraging frivolous prosecu-
uons, arrestiD3 people on petty charges of
crime and transporting them to distant
places for examination and trial, for the
purpose of earning mileage and other fees,
ana District Attorneys uselessly attend criminal
examinations far from their places of residence
Tor the express purpose of swelling their &C
counts against the Government. the actual ex-
peuses incurred in these transactions are always
charged against the Government. Thus the
rights and freedom of our citizens are outraged,
and public expenditures increased for the pur-
pose OF furnishing public officers pretexts for in
creaSlng the measure of their compensation
paid salaries adjusted by rule which will make
them commensurate with services fairly rem
dered.
Furnishing MISDEMEANORS.
In connection with the subject, desire to sug-
gest the ACCESSIBILITY, if it be found not obnox-
1ous to constitutional objection, OF investing
united States commissioners with the power to
try and determine certain violations of law
Within The grade of misdemeanors. Such trials
IllgnL DC MADE TO depend upG1 the option OF the
accused. The multiplication of small and tech
n1cal offenses especially under the provisions
OF our Internal Revenue law, renders some
change in our present system very desirable, in
the interests of humanity well economy.
The District Courts are now crowded with
petty prosecutions involving punishment, in
case OF conviction, of only a slight fine while
the parties accused harassed by an en-
forced attendance upon the courts held hum
dreds OF miles from their homes If poor and
frenGless they obliged to remain in jail,
n1t lnFr,H soto
OF the court is held, and are finally brought
to trial surrounded by strangers, and
with but little opportunity for defense.
In the meantime frequently the Marshal has
charged against the Government his fees for an
arrest, the transportation of the accused and the
expense of the same and for sunmoning wit
neBses before Commissioner, Grand Jury
and a court, the witnesses have been paid from
the public funds large fees and travelling ex-
penses and the Commissioner and District At
torney have also made their charges against the
Government This abuse in the administration
Of our criminal law should be reInedied and if
the plan above suggested is not practicable,
some other should be devised.
INTERNAL AFFAIRS
The report of the Secretary of the Interior,
containing account of the operation of this
important department and much interesting in
formation Will be submitted for your consdera-
ton. The most intricate and difficult subject in
charge OF this department is the treatment and
management of
l am satisfied that some progress may be noted
in their condition as a result of prudent
administration of the present laws and
regulations for their control; but it is sub
mitted that there is lack of fixed purpose of
policy on this subject which should be supplied
1t is useless to dilate upon the wrongs of the In
dlnns, and as useless to indulge in the heartless
belief that because their wrongs are revenged
in their own atrocious manner, therefore they
should be eXterminaJed.
They are within the care of our Government,
and their rights are, should be protected
from invasion by the most solemn obligations.
They are properly enough called the wards of
the Government, and it should be borne in mind
that this guardianship involves on our part ef-
forts for the Improvement Of their condition and
the enforcement of their rights.
There seems to be general concurrence in the
proposition that the ultimate object of their
treatment should be their civilization and citi-
zenship. Fitted by these TO keep pace in the
march of progress with the advanced ciVliza-
ton about them, they viii readily assimilate
with the mass of our population assuming the
responsibilities and receiving the protection in
cident to this condition. The difficulty appears
to be in the selection of the means to be at pres
ent employed toward the attainment of this re-
suit.
Our Indian population exclusive of those in
Alaska, is reported as numbering 260, 000 nearly
all beng located lands set apart for their use
and occupation, aSgregating over 134, 600 Of
acres. These lands ere included in boundaries of
seventeen reservations of different dimensions,
scattered in twenty-one States and Territories
presenting great variations in climate and in the
kind and quality of their soils. Among
Indians upon these several reservations
there exists the most marked differences
in natural traits and disposition, and
in their progress toward civilization
While some are lazy, vicious, and stupid, others
industrious, peaceful and intelligent. While
O. portion of them self-supporting and in
dependent and have so far advanced in civiliza-
tion that they make their own laws, administer
ed through officers of their choice and
educate their children in schools of their own
remain in squalor and dependence almost
in the saVagery of their natural state
In dealing with this question the desires mani
tested by the Indians should not be ignored.
Here again we find great diversity. With
some the tribal relation is cherished with the ut
most tenacity while its hold upon others is con-
siderably relaxed. The love of home is strong
with all, and yet there are those whose attach
ment to particular locality is by no means I'M
yielding The ownership of these lands in sew
crafty is much desired by some. while by others
and sometimes again the most civilized, such O.
distribution would be bitterly opposed.
The variation of their wants growing out of and
connected with the character of their several To-
cations should be regarded Some are upon
reservations most fit for grazing but without
f1ocks or herds, and some arabic land have
no agricultural implements while some of the
reservations are double the size necessary to
maintain the number of Indians now upon them
In few cases, perhaps. they should be en-
larged. Add to ali this the difference in the adj
mniStratOn of the agencies, while the same
duties are devolved upon all, the disposition of
the agents and the manner of their contact with
the Indians have 1n1cb to do with their cor,
The agent who perfunctionarily performs his
duty and slothfully neg1ects all opportunity to
advance their moral and physical improvement,
and fails to inspire them with q desire for better
things, will accomplish nothing in the direction
of their civilization, while he who feels the bur-
den of an Important trust and has interest in
his work will, by consistent examples, firm, yet
considerate treatment and well-directed aid and
encouragement, constantly lead those under his
charge toward the light of their acknowledgements.
The history of all the progress which has been
made in civilization of the Indian, I think, will
religious teaching, followed by or accompanying
secular education, while the self-sacrifcing and
pious men and women who have aided in this
good work by their independent endeavors have
for their reward the benefcent result of their
labor and consciousness of Christian duty well
performed. Their valuable services should be
fully acknowledged by all who, under the law,
are charged with the control and management
of our Indian wards
What has been said indicates that in the
present condition of the Indians attempt
should be made to apply fixed and unyielding
law of action to their varied and varying needs
and circumstances The Indian Bureau bur-
dened as it is with this general oversight, and
with the details of the establishment, can
hardly possess itself of the minute particulars
OF cases needing treatment, and thus the
propriety of creating an instrumentality auxil-
larry to those already established for the
care of the Indians, suggests itself.
recommend the passage of q law authorizing
Whom shall be detailed from the army, to be
6xrritI 1,,4rr Of of,,1