Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-12-09

for the post Office department 10 contract Tor
carving our foreign mails under additional
authority given by the last Congress-. The
amount limited was inadequate to pay all
within the purview of the Law. the full rate
of City cents per mile. and it would have
been unjust and unwise to have given 1t to
come and denied it to others, nor could con-
tracts have been let under the Law to all at
rate to have brought the aggregate within
the appropriation without such . practical
of terms as would have vio-
lated il. Whatever ma be thought Of the policy
of substituting any line of public conveyance or
travel, am satisfied it should not be done
under cover of expenditure incident to the
administration OF the department, nor should
there be any uncertainty as to recipients of
subsidy or any discretion left to the execu-
tive officers as to its distribution. l approve
the recommendation of the postmaster gen.
eral that another assistant be provided for
his department. invite your consideration
to several other recommendations contained
in his report.
The REPORT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
contains the history of the conduct
of the department of justice during the
last year. and number of valuable sugges-
tions as to needed LEGISLATION, and invite your
careful attention to them. The condition of bu-
siness in the courts Of the United tates is
such that there seems to be an imperative
necessity for remedial legislation on the sub
ject. Some of the courts are so overburden-
ed with pending causes that the DELAYS in
determining litigation amount often to de-
NAL of justice. The present mode of COM
pensating United States Marshals and Dis
trict Attorneys should, in my opinion, be
changed. They are allowed to charge against
the government certain fees for services.
their income being measured by the amount
of such fees, within a fixed limit as to their
annual aggregate. This is a direct induce
ment for them to make their fees in criminal
cases as large as possible, in an effort to reach
the maximum sum permitted. AS an entirely
natural consequence, INSCRIPTIONS Marshals
are found encouraging frivolous prosecutions,
arresting 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; and District
Attorneys uselessly attend criminal examina-
tions far from their places of residence, for
the expressed purpose of swelling
their accounts against the government. /
think marshals and district attorneys should
be paid salaries adjusted by the rule which
vices rendered. In connection with this sub
ject desire to suggest the ACCESSIBILITY of in
vesting the United States commissioners with
power to try and determine certain violations
of law within the grade of misdemeanors.
THE REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE
INTERIOR,
containing an account of operations of this
important department and much interesting
information, will be submitted for your con-
sideration. The most intricate and
difficult subject in charge of this depart
ment is the treatment and management of
the Indians. l am satisfied that some pro-
gress may be noted in their condition as the
result of the prudent administration of the
present laws and regulations for their control,
but it is submitted that there is lack of fixed
purpose or policy en- this subject, which
should be supplied. 1t is useless to dilate
upon the wrongs of the Indians, and as use
less to indulge in the heartless belief that
because their wrongs are revenged in their
own atrocious manner, therefore they should
be exterminated. They are under the care
of our government and their rights are, or
should be, protected from invasion
by the most solemn oblga-
tions They are properly enough
should be borne in mind that the guardian
ship involves, on our part efforts for i'm
provement of their condition and enforce
ment of their rights. There seems to be
general concurrence in the proposition that
the ultimate object of their treatment should
be civilization and citizenship. Fitted by
these to keep pace In the march of progress
with the advanced civilization about them,
they will readily assimlate with the mass of
our population, assuming responsibilities
and receiving protection incident to this con-
dition.
Among the Indians upon several reserva-
tons there exists the most marked difference
in natural traits aud disposition, and in their
progress towards civilization. While some
are lazy, vicious and stupid, others are indus
trious, peaceful and intelligent: while a por-
ton of them are self-supporting and indepsn-
dent, and have so far advanced in civilization
that they make their own laws administered
through officers of their own choice,
and educate their children in schools
of their own establishment and
maintenance; others still retain in squalor
and dependence almost the savagery of their
natural state. In dealing with this question
the desires manifested by the Indians should
not be ignored the variation of their wants
growing out of and connected with the
character of their several locations should
be regarded. Some are upon reservations
most fit for grazing. but without flocks 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 Indians
now upon them. The history of all progress
which has been made in the civilization of
Indians. l think, will disclose the fact that
the beginning has been religious teaching
followed by or accompanying secular educa-
ton, while self sacrificing and pious men and
women who have aided in this good work BY
their independent endeavors. have for their
reward, the benefcent results of
their labor and consciousness
of Christian duty well performed their
valuable services should be fully acknowled-
ged by all who under law are charged with
the control and management of our Indian
wards. recommend the passage of law
authorizing the appointment of six commits
sioners, three of whom shall be detailed from
the army to be charged with
the duty of careful inspection
from time 10 time of all indians upon our res
ervatlons, or subject to the care and con-
troll of the government, with the view of dis
covering their exact condition and needs and
determining what steps shall be
taken in behalf of the government to improve
their situation in the direction of their self
support and complete civilization; that they
ascertain from such inspection what, if any, of
the reservations may be reduced in area,