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Show REPORT OF C O ~ ~ ~ I ~OFN IENDRIA N AFFAIRS. XXl'Il spondingly increased the amount of such work devolving upon the oBcc. In the work of arranging, examining, and reporting upon depredation claims have been engaged four examiners (three of whom are experi-euwd lawyers), thrae copyists, and daring the past six months two special ageuts in the field. Two additional special agents have been appointed recently.. COURTS OF INDIAN OFFENSES. Longer experience makes more apparent the value of the courts instituted at various agencies for the punishment of minor offenses com-mitted bythe Indians. With one exception, all the agents at whose agen-cies courts are established speak verl highly of the good effect of these courts and of the manner in which the judges perform their duties. As an illustration of the general tenor of the agents7 reports, I quote the following from that of Ag6nt McLaughliu, at Standing Rock: There are regular hi-weekly sessiooa af the Indian courts held at the agency police hepdquarters, in a room set apart for that purpose, and the importance of this oonrt is now such that it would seem almost impassible to do without it. Offeneesof every character committed at the agency are brought before this court for adjod~cation, and it has relieved me of much annoyance in trivial rnetters, aud bided materially in the more important cases. The judges, who &re the two officers of the Indian police form and John Qrass, an intelligent Indian who speaks English, are men bf excel-lent Judgment, whom decisions, impartially rendered, have been accepted ih all oases the past year without any complaint, except in the iostances where an appeal was made, aid in two of which a rehearing wm ordered upon sdditional ttetimony being produoad. These courts are also unqnestionebly a great assistance to the Indians in learning habits of self-government and in preparing themselves for citizenship. I am of the opinion that they should be placed upon a legal basis by an act of Congress authorizing their establishment, under such rules and regulations a8 the'secretary of the Interior may pre-scribe. Their duties and jurisdiction could then be definitely deter.' mined and greater good accomplished. At some of the agencies it baa bean found impracticable to establieh these courts from the faot that good men-cannot be found who are will-ingto serve as judges wit,hout compensation. At others the make.shift policy has had to he resorted to of detailing members of the policeform to act as judges in court! The payment of a small monthly salary would have a moat salutary effect in giving greater dignity to the o£Eca and rendering it possible to secure better men for judges. For this purpose I have asked for the next fiscal year an appropriation of $5,000. JURIBDICTION OF CRIMES COB~IITTED. BY XNDIANS. ~n my last annual report attention was called to certain defeots in the ninth section of the act of March 3, 1885.(23 Stats., 385), providing for the punishment of cextain crimes committed liy Indians. Snhse- .qnently a bill was prepared and submitted to Congress relieving the |