Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1889-12-05
Avoiding the Issue.

3 or the act OF May Z, 1853, relating 10
the killing of seals and other fur bearing
animals was issued by me on the 21st of
March, and a revenue vessel was dis
patched to enforce the laws and protect
the interests of the United States.
The message recommends the construc-
| tion of efficient coast defenses, the en-
camping of federal companies with the
national guard, and the improvement OF
rivers and harbors, all in brief terms and
general way.
The Terry-Field Affair.
The assault made by David S. Terry
upon the person of Justice Field, of the
supreme court OF the United States, at
Lathrop, Cal, in August last, and the
killing of the aSsailant by a deputy
United States marshal, who had been
deputed 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 of the atten-
tion of congress.
recommend that more definite pro-
vision be made by law, not only for the
protection of federal officers, but for a
full trial of such cases in the United
legislation, l do not at all impeach either
the general adequacy of the provision
made by the state laws for the protectioh
of all citizens or the general good dispo-
sition of those charged with the execu-
ton of such laws to give protection to
| the officers of the United States. The
duty of protecting its officers, as such,
and of Furnishing those who assault them
on account of their official acts, should
not be devolved expressly or by acgui-
escence upon the local authorities.
Events which have been brought to my
attention, happening in other parts Of
the country, have also suggested the
propriety of extending, by legislation,
| fuller protection to those who may be
called as witnesses in the courts of the
| United States. The law compels those
who are supposed to have knowledge of
public offenses to attend upon our courts
and grand juries and to give evidence
There is manifest resulting duty that
those witnesses shall be protected from
injury on account of their testimony
The investigation of criminal offenses
are often rendered futile and the punish
ment of crime impossible by the intilni-
ss...on of witnesses.
District Judges Salaries.
The salaries of the judges of the dis
trict courts in many of the districts are,
in my judgment, inadequate. l recon-
mend that all such salaries now below
$1,000 per annum be increased to that
amount. 1t is. quite true that the
amount of labor performed by some of
these judges is very unequal. but as they
cannot properly engage in other pursuits
to supplement their incomes, the salary
shonld be such in all cases as to provide
an Independent and comfortable support,
Trusts APE Dangerous Conspiraeies.
Earnest attention should be given by
congress to a consideration of tie gues-
ton how far the restraint of those COM
binations of capital commonly called
"trusts" is a matter of federal jurisdic-
ton. When organized. rs they often
are, to crush out all healthy competition
and to monopolize the production or sale
of articles of commerce and general