, 1889-12-05
THE JUDICIARY.
Legisiation Asked for the Better Pro-
lection of Federal Officers and wit
Iesses.

lection Of Federal Ohicers and wit
nesses.
The assault made by David S. Terry
on the person of Judge Field of the SUI
premo court OF the United States ut La
throp, Cal, in August last, and the kill
ing OF the nssailant by deputy United
States marshal, who lad been deputed
to accompany Justice Field and protect
him from violence at the hands OF Terry,
in connection with the legal proceedings
which have followed, suggest questions
which in my judgment are worthy of
congress. recommend that more
definite provision be made by law, not
only for the protection of federal officers,
but ior the full trial Of such cases In the
United States courts. In recommending
such legislation, I do not impeach either
the general adequacy of the provision
made by the state laws for the protec-
tion Of all citizens, or the general dis
position of those charged with the exc
cition of such laws to give protection to
officers OF the United States, The duty
of protecting its officers, as such, and
Furnishing those who assault them on
account OF their official nets, should not
be devolycd expressly or by ac-
quiescence upon local authorities.
PROTECTION oF WITNESSES.
Events which have been brought to
my attention, happening in other parts
OF the country, have also suggested the
proprioty of extending by legislation the
fuller protection to those who may be
called as witnesses in the courts of the
United states. The law compols those
who are supposed to have knowledge of
public oiienscs to attend upon our courts
and grand juries and give evidence.
There is a manifest resulting duty that
these witnesses shall he protected from
injury ON account of their testimony.
The Investigations OF criminal olienscs
are often rendered futile and the punish .
ment of crime impossible by the ia
timidation Of witnesses.
TNTERMEDIATF COURTS.
The necessity of providing some more
speedy method for disposing of cases
which now come for final adiudgmt mt
to the supreme court becomes every
year more apparent and urgent. The
plan Of providing Some intermediate
conrts having final appellate jurisdic-
tion OF certain classes OF questions and
cases has, think, received more gen
eral approval from the bench and bar OF
the country than any other. Without
attempting to discuss details, | recon-
mend that provision should be made
for the establishment Of such courts.
SALARIES OF JUDGES.
The salaries of the judges Of the dis
trict courts are, in my judgment, made
quate. recommend tnat all such sal
aries now below $1,000 per annum be in
creased to that amount 1t quite true
that tho amount of labor performed by
these judges is very uneqnal, but as
they can not properly engage in other
pursuits to supplement their incomes,
the salary should be such in all cases as
to provide an independent and comfort
able support.
TRUSTS,
Earnest attention should be given by
congress to u consideration Of the ques-
tion how far the restraint Of those com
binations Of capital, commonly called
trusts, is a matter OF federal Jurisdiction
When organized, as they often are, te
crush out all healthy competition, te
monopolize the production or sale of al
article OF commerce and general ne
cessity, they are dangerous conspiracie.
against the public good and should b,
made the subject Of prohibitory anC
even penal legislation.
The subject of nm International copy
right has been frequently commended Il
the attention of congress by my prede-
ccssors. The enactment OF such Law
would be eniinently wise and just.
THE NATURALIZATION LAWS.
Our naturalization laws should be 5,
revised as to make tho inquiry int,
character aud good disposition toward
our government ot the persons applying
for citizenship more thorough. This cal
only be done by taking N,ller control o
the examination, by liking the time 70
tine hearing of each application and b,
requiring the presence Of some one VIII,
shall represent the government In tn
inquiry. Those who are the enemies O
social order, or who come TO our shore
TO swell the injurious influence and I,
extend tho evil practices of any associ
alton that defies our laws should no
only be denied citizenship but domi
cile.
NATIONAL BANKRUPT LAW.
The enactment of national bankrup
law Of character to be n permancn
part Of our general legislation Is desira
BILE. 1t should be simple In its meth ods
and inexpensive IN its administration.
THE PosrofFIcE DEPARTMENT.
The report of the postmaster geners