Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1885-12-17

Wttuiil ilNtl ttlftib us I'd tiltlT
gate. This is direct inducement Tor them
q make their fees in criminal cases as
large as possible in an effort 10 reach the
maximum sum permitted. As an entirely
natural consequence INSCRIPTIONS Mar
shals are found encouraging frivolous pros
eeutlons, arresting people on petty charges
Of crime and transporting them to distant
places for examination and trial, Tor the
purpose OF earning mileage aud 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. The actual expenses incurred Ia
these transact ms are also charged against
the Government Thus the rights and free
dom of our citizens are OUTRAGED, and pub
lie expenditures Increased for the purpose
ct furnishing public officers pretexts for
increasing the measure OF their compensa-
ton. think Marsnais and District Attor-
neys should be paid salaries adjusted by
rule which will make taem commensurate
with services fairly rem Tered.
PUXIsHIXG MIsDEMEASoRs.
In connection with this subject desire to
suggest the ACCESSIBILITY if it be found not
obnoxious to constitutional objection of
investing United States Commissioners
with the POWER to try and determine GER
tain violations of law within the grade of
IuisdemeanOrs, Such trials might be made
to depend upon the option of The accused.
The multiplication of small and technical
Offenses, especially under the provisions of
our Internal Revenue law renders some
change m our present system very desir-
able. in the interests of humanity as well
as economy. The District Courts are now
crowded with petty prosecutions, involving
punishment, III case Of conviction. of only
slight fine, while the parties accused are
hafrassed by an enforced attendance upon
courts held hundreds OF inils from their
homes. Ii poor and frIendless they are
obliged to remain in Jail months, perhaps,
that elapse before session of the court is
held, and are finally brought to trial sur
rounded 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 ex-
pense of the same, and Tor SunmOning wit
neSSeS before q Commissioner a Grand
jury and a court the witnesses have been
paid from the public funds large fees and
travelling expenses, and the Commissioner
and District Attorney have also made 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.
INTERNAL AFFAIRS.
The report of the Secretary of the Inte-
riOr, containing an account of the operation
OF this important department, and much in
teresting information, will be submitted for
your consideration. The most intricate
and difficult subject in charge of this de-
partment is the treatment and management
OF
THE INDIANS.
| 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
submitted that there is lack of a fixed pur-
pose Of policy on this subject which should
be supplied. 1t is useless TO dilate upon
the wrongs of the Indians, and as useless to
indulge in the heattleSs beief that because
their wrongs are revenged in their atrocious
manner, therefore they should be exterm-
mated.
Taey are within the care of our Govern
ment and their ri gifts are, or should be pro-
tecied from invasion by the most solemn
Oh cations. They are properly enough
called the wards OF the Government, and IL
should De borne ia nina that this GUARDIAN
ship Involves on Our part efforts for the inn
prOVement a. their condition and the en-
forcement Of their rights.
There seems to be general concurrence in
the proposition that the ultimate object of
their treatment should be- taeir civilization
and citlz.nshN Fitted by these to keep
pace IN the march of progress with the adj
vaneed civil zdtion about them, they will
readily assilnldte with the mass of our
population, assuming the responsibilities
and receiving TIE protection incident TO
this condition. TAe difficulty appears to be
IN the selection of the means to be at pres.
ent cmpioyed toward the attainment of this
result.
Our Indian population, exclusive of those
in Alaska. Is report q as numb ring 260 000
nearly all being located on lands SET apart
for tn-ir usA aud occupation, aggregaIing
over ld, 600, 900 Of acres. These lands are
included III boundaries of seventeen reser-
vatOnS Of different Il mensions, scattered in
twenty-One States and Territories, present.
~ nfa and int lpa
kind and quality Of their soils. Among In
dams Il .Oit these several reservations there
kiss Tie most marked difference in natu-
ri traits and disposition, and in their prog
ress toward civilization. While some are
lazy, vicious and stupid, others are indus
triuuS, peaceful ana Intelligent. While
portion OF them are Self.supp0rting and ill.,
dependent and have so far advanced in
civilization that tiey may make their own
avs, administered through officers Of their
own choice, and educate their children in
schools of their own establishment and
maintenance, others still remain in Squalor
anu dependance, almost the saYagery of
their natural state. In dealing with this
question the desires manifested by the In
dams should not he ignored. Here again
we find great diversity. With some the
tribal relation Is CHI riSed with the utmost
tenacty, while its hold upon others is con-
siderably relaxed. The love OF home is
strong with all, and yet there are those
whose attachment to a particular locality is
by no means unyielding. the ownership
of their lands In seYerality is much desired
by some, while by others, and sometimes
the most civilized, such adiS,rlOutiOn would
be bitterly opposed. The variation of their
wants growing out of and connected with
the character of their several locations
should be regarded. Some are upon reSer-
yatlons most tit for grazing, but without
Hooks or herds, and some on arabic land
have no agricultural implements, While
some OF the reservations are double the size
necessary to maintain the number of In
dams now upon them. In few cases, per-
haps, they should be enlarged. Add to all
this the difference in the administration of
tile agencies. While the same duties are
devolved upon ALL the disposition of the
agents ana the manner OF theircontact with
the Indians have much to do with their con-
dltion and welfare.
The agent who perfunctionarily performs
his duty and slOthfully neglects all oppor-
tunity to advance their moral and physical
improvement, and fails to inspire tuem with
desire Tor better things, will accomplish
nothing IN the direction of their civilization,
while he who feels the burden of an Impor-
tant trust and has an interest in his work
Will, by constant example, firm, yet con-
Slderate treatment, and we'll directed aid
and encouragement, constantly lead those
under his charge toward the llgnt of their
enirancniSement. Tne history of ali the
progress which has been nad5. in the civil
cation of the Indian, | think, will disclose
the fact that the beginning mas been religious
teaching followed by, or accompanying,
secular education, wnie the setf-sacriilcing
and piouS men and women who have aided
in this good work by their indeDendent en-
deavorS, have for thelr reward the beneti-
cent results of Their labor and conscious
ness OF Christian duty we'll performed.
Their valuable services should De fully ac-
knowledged bs AL wl0, under the law, are
fltA
of our Indian wards.
What has been said indicates that in the
present condition of the IIdiaAsRo attempt
should be made to apply a fixed and I'M
yielding law ot action 70 their varied and
varying needs and circumstances. Inc In
diall bureau, Ourdened as Il 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 pTopuety of Great
ing an inSttumentailty auxiliary 10 those
already estaO shed Tor the care of the In
dIanS, suggests Itself | recommend the
passage OF a law authorizing the appoint
nlent OF SIX comm SSlonerS, three of whom
Shau DC detaucd from the army, 10 be
charged with the duty of a careful lnSpec-
tlon from time to lime Of ali the Indians
upon our reservations or su iect to tae care
and control OF the Governments, with view
OF discovering their eXic, conditions and
needs, ana dc, ei mining what steps shall he
taken on beaaf Ut thc G Jvernment To ln-
prove their situation Ia The direction of
their Selt-snpp0it aud complete civilization.
That they ascertain from suca inspection
what, II any, OF The reservations may be re-
duced IN area, and in such cases what part,
not needed Tor lndian occupation. may be
purchased by the Government from the In
dams ana disposed OF Tor their benz fit !;
what, II any, Indians may, with their con-
sent be removed 10 other reservations,
with view of their concentration. and the