Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-12-12
Public improvements.
Protection of Federal Officers

The assault made by David S. Terry upon the
person of Justice Field of the supreme court of
the United States at Lathrop, California, in Au-
gust last, and the killing of the assailant by a
deputy United States marshal, who had been de-
puted to accompany Justice Field and to protect
him from anticipated violence at the hands of
Terry in connection with the legal proceedings
which have followed, suggest questions which, in
my Judgment, are worthy the attention of con-
be made by law, not only for the protection of
federal officers but for full trial for such
cases in the United States courts. In recon-
mending such legislation do not at all impeach
either the general adequacy of the provision
made by the state laws for the protection of all
citizens or the general disposition of those
charged with the execution of such laws to give
protection to the officers of the United States.
The duty of protecting its officers such, and of
Furnishing those who assault them on account of
their official acts should not be devolved express
ly or by acquiescence upon the local authorities.
Protection of Witnesses.
Events which have been brought to my atten-
ton happening in other parts of the country,
have also suggested the proprlety or extending
by legislation fuller protection to those who may
be called witnesses in the courts OF the United
States The law compelS those who are supposed
to have knowledge of public ofenses to attend
upon our courts and grand jurieS and to give evil
dence. There is manifest resulting duty that
these witnesses shall be protected from injury on
account of their testimony. The investigations
of criminal offenses often rendered futile and
the punishment of crime impossible, by the in
timidation of witnesses.
Needs of the Supreme Court.
The necessity of providing some more speedy
method for dispo sing of cases which now come
for final Indication to the supreme court becomes
every year more apparent and urgent. The plan
of providing some intermediate courts having
final appellate jurisdiction of certain classes OF
questions and cases, has, think, received more
general approval from the bench and bar OF the
country than any other. Without attempting to
discuss details l recommend that provision should
be made for the establishment OF such courts
How the Surplus Can be Reduced.
The salaries of Judges of the district courts in
many of the districts are, in my Judgment, mad
equate. recommend that all such salaries now
amount 1t is quite true that the amount OF labor
performed by these judges is very unequal. but
as they cannot properly engage in other pursuits
to supplement their incomes, the salary should
be such, in all cases. as to provide an independent
and comfortable support
Not Private Affairs
Earnest attention should be given by congress
to consideration of the question how far the
restraint of those Combinations of capital com.
monty called trusts is a matter of federal
jurisdiction. When organized. as they often are,
to crush out all healthy competition and to mon.
opoliZe the production or sale of an article OF
commerce anG general necessity, they are dan.
gerous conspraces against the public good and
should be made the subject of prohibitory and
even penal legislation.
The subject of an international copyright has
been frequently commended to the attention of
congress by my predecessors. Inc enactnenC OF
such law would be e1ninently wise and just.
Naturalization and Bankrupt Laws
Our naturalization laws should be so revised as
20 make the inquiry into tie character and good
disposition towards our government of the per
sons applying for citizenship more thorough.
This can only be done by taking fuller control of
the examinations, by fixing times for hearing
such applications and by requiring the presence
of some one who shall represent the government
in the inquiry Those who are the enemies of
social order who come to our shores to swell the