The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-11-15
INDIANS ON THE BENCH.
They Make Good Judges, But Want
More Than So a Month.
From the st. Louis Globe Democrat.

From the st. Louis Globe Democrat.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29-As judge the
Indian is great success. Several years
ago the Indian commissioner directed the
agents to organize Indian courts. He pre-
pared a code of rules and q list OF offenses.
The experiment has worked surprisingly
well. The red man may leave his moving
machine out Of doors to rust. He may dis
card his stone house for tepee. But
when 1t comes to holding court he follows
the white mans road with great dignity
and efficiency
Eacn OF these Indian courts consists of
three judges. The Indian agents make the
nominations The Indian commissioner
coiurins The term is one year, but the
Judge may be removed at any time. Reg
9iar sessions are held every other week.
Inc catalogue of crimes is rather interest
ing. 1t includes Indian dances, plural
marriages, and the practices of medicine
men. WIN Indian Judges convict and pun
ISL such ottenses? They will, indeed The
only trouble the agents have with these
courts is to restrain them from making
Tue punishment misfit the crime by ex-
GeSs' theft, destruction of property be-
longing to another, drunkenness, buying
auu selling squaws, are also dealt with by
I u, courts. There is a civil code as we'll.
Tue Indian judges have about the same
powers that justice of the peace has The
cNA practice Is made to conform as nearly
as possl ole to that in the state or territory
%nere the reservation is located. Commits
SiUner Morgan says that, lin spite of their
tttuules, anomalies and disadvantages,
sItse courts have reached a degree of dig
Ivy Ivy, influence and usefulness which could
uuTTuly have been expected
Two Years ago the pOVarnmnot haOon 70
ppssy 6oS small judicial salaries. The sum OF
; EO,vUO was allowed. This gave the Indian
s-4sS from SO to S. a month for seven
dionthS In the year. Salaries added
t;suIly and Importance to the posi-
Sv vu' Turing the present year fifty
na OF these judges are receiving
t "a! al the rate of $40 month, ten at IS.
oc"enly-three at IS, and ten at S. The
EI IT, wants a little more money.
Gay T says that the Indian judges ought to
sJIN salaries of $40 month He
s- Inc services rendered by the courts
a, ~ such value in promoting good order
o. sVod morals in the community, as well
tord ~ laniilarizing Indians with the Gus
born, PRACTICES and ideas which they will
CA Yer meet in white communities, that
every agency.nl
sv rne most singular thing about the court
me- cement Is that the intelligent white
thu thu sac should not have discovered long ago
w. gat shis plan is the very best sugar-coating
fo -' ~ can be given the dose of civilization
the C Cos,I indian. The penalties imposed by
labo Uourts are fines. imprisonments, hard
n nJGr, and forfeiture of rations. The Indian
fau Io9 zee that the sentences imposed are
a1rSihIully executed.
Of tL agents without exception speak well
thu ' Csc courts. At Standing Rock, S. D.,
sessi TouC OF Indian offenses holds BIZ weekly
wbaro s at the agency of two DAYS eacb,
bron 'e an Indians committing offenses are
deToS ~ 10 Tor trial, and the valuable aid rem
c5nyra ~ tnls court cannot be TOO highly
and j''ii a4Gd. Eighty-three cases were heard
1be adJudicated by this court during
have p S year, and all the decisions
renders pSea intelligently and impartially
duced upon the evidence ad-
fSe ssd =. Offenders were punished bv
also b ~ rifles, shotguns, revoivers, etc,
Sometimes .IHprlsonment at hard labor, and
sust sGee the decision Of the court has been
" public sentiment, and not