| OCR Text |
Show I LXXXVI REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER 08 INDIAN AFFAIRS. January 1, 1889, there being no pay ~.ttaclledt o the office before that time. John . Grass is a very intelli,pnt, full-blooded Indian, a, man of excelleot judgment, impar-tial in decision, and of genera,l good character. He is the hear1 chief of the Blackfeet Sioux, apeake 5ud understnuda English, rears eit,izen's dress, and oonforms to the white man's ways. He will use his influence in faror of the allotmeut of lands, is in favor of education of Indian children, and a progressive Indian to all intects aod purposee. Gsll, age fifty-two (present age), mas appointed jodge January 1,1889; aud sexved from that time to March 31, 1890. Gall is sn intelligent, fi~ll-blooded Indian, and 0 chief of the Hunkpepa band; he bears n good, general oharaoter, does not speak or underatantl English, wears citizen's dress, and conforms to the white man's ways. He is at present uon-oomrnittsl on tho sobject of allotu~eots, but I beliere when the time arrives he r~i ldl eclare in favor of them. I know him to he in favor of eduoation of Iudiau children, nnd a progressive Indian in all rospeots, with tho above dcnbtful eroeption. Standing Soldier, age forty-three (present age), appointed judge Jsnusry 1, 1889: served from that time to March 31, 1890. Standing Soldier is a full-blooded Indiau belonging to the Lower Yanktonaia band, and like the other two is a man of good oharaoter. He does not speak English; wears citizen's dress, and conforms to the white mau's ways. Be \rill use his influence in favor of allotmentsin severdty, and I know him to be in favor of education, and it progressive Indian. All the three judges are popular among and respeoted by their people. The above is the personnel of the oourt as ooustit~~tepdri or to March 31, 1890, a t which time the compensation cease& and these judges ceased to serve. Since then the duties hare been lrerformed by members of tho polioe force. I consider it, how-ever, objectionable to have members of the polioe far& act as judges, as frequently, or rather in a majority of cases, it happens that the police are the praseentars; in addition to this, there are many other objectionable reasons against the system. , . There were 91 eases bronght belore the court during the year of a criminal nature, besides the settlement of disputes involving ownership of property, damagea caused by csttle trespass, dividing liues, hay meadows, etc. The following is a syuopsis of the criminal oases: Adultery, 8; assault, 9; attempt nt rape, 10; taking second wife, 3; taking seoond husband, 2; elopement with enother n~an'sw ife, 3; desertion of wife and family by husband, 7; desertion of husband and family by. wife, 3; seduotion, 1; resistina arrest by police, 6; abusive language, 2; maiming cattle, 3; malioious lying, 1; evil speaking, 1; wife beating, 1; offering insult to married women, 4; selliug rations, 2; drunkenness, 2; larceny, 4; family quarrels, incompatibility, etc., 19. The punish-ments imposed by the court sere ohieAy imprisonment in the agency guard-house, at hard labor dnring the day, from 10 to 90 days, according to the nature of the offense. In 11 cases gunswere forfeited by the offender, others were required to make good property destroyed, and ossh finas aggregating $87 the past year were imposed. The method of procedl~reb efore the oourt is copied, as far as practicable, from the procedure in the white mau's oonrt, witoesses being prodtlced in support of prose-cnt. ion and defense and the deoision of the majority of judges roles. The. head farmer, who was a mixer1 blood, attended the court in most cnses in the oharaoter of clerk and took a peueil memoraada of the proceedings, hut no regular reaord is kept. The gellerrl influence of the oourt tends to reduce crime amongst Indians, aud is a meansof settling many vexatious differences bet+een members of the tribe ; it promotes good government and civilization and prepares the Indians for the in-evitable trial byjudge andjury when they ahsli become citizens of the United States. I recommend that the courc a t this agency be reorgani~eda nd constituted of three disinterested and influential Feu, havinggood reputations smongst their people, and whoso judgment and opinions are respected, and tliat an adequate compensation be paid them for their serviees of not less than $10 per mouth, and that the office and p i~yb e continnous. Mwcalero Agency, New Merioo.-The court of Indian otfenses is composed of three |
