Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-02-10

eighty gallons OF whlskey were rectlhed II
Richmond during the month OF January.
INTERFERENCE OF THE FEDERAL JUDICIARY
In message sent few days ago to the
General Assembly, Gov. WALKER says
Il have the honor to transmit herewith thu
report of the Attorney General, to which in
vite your serious attention. The amount O.
official service performed by this officer proba
bly, far exceeds that of any of his predecessors
That his duty has been we'll and ably discharg
ed is abundanty evidenced by the record Of
cases submitted with his report. Several Of
the cases to which he has attended at my re.
quest, were not strictly within the purview o.
his official duties, and am clearly of opinion
that for such service he should be suitably com
pensated.
Some of these cases involved questions Of
Jurisdiction between the State and Fedora
courts of great delicacy and of the highest i'm
portancc. \ very latitudinarian construction
Of his functions and supervisory powers seems
at one time to have possessed the judge who
presides over the Federal District court of this
district, and the decisions Of our State courts
we're set at noug or brushed away by a SIN
gle wave Of his judicial wand Our prisons
we're invaded by his officers, armed with pro.
cess issued by his order, and criminals tried
and convicted by our State courts for the viola.
ton of State laws were turned loose upon the
community in reckless disregard of law, prece-
dent, and authority When information Of
these transactions came to my know ledge, | dl-
rected the Attorney General to institute such
proceedings as would vindicate the authority
of the State. and teach the vioators Of our laws,
whether on the bench or off Of it, that such
acts could not be- committed with impunlty
and it affords me much qualification to state that
he performed the duty assigned him ably, fear
lessly, and successfully.
When these cases came before the United
States Circuit court. which fortunately is pre-
sided over by a lawyer of learning and ability,
the unlawful proceedings of the District court
were promptly reversed and the wrong and IN
Justice committed we're so far as practicable, fully
remedicd sincerely trust that no occasion
will arise in the future necessitating such ser
vices by the Attorney. General. The dignity
and jurisdiction of our courts. however, must
be maintained While [ would not uphold our
States courts in exercising even doubtful jurls-
diction. yet, in the exercise of that which OK
clusivey belongs to them, they shall be sup
ported by the entire power OF the State.
There never ought and never can be any Sc
rious conflict of Jurisdiction between State and
Federal court so long as each confines itself to
the exercise ofhis legitimate functions. With
in its appropriate sphere the authority of each
is exclusive. and should be respected and hon
ored by the other. Even in those cases where
they have concurrent jurisdiction, the same
general rule applies. That court with first OBJ
tains jurisdiction Of the case retains it. In no
other mode can the dignity and authority OF
the courts be maintained, and the harmony
and efficiency Of our system Of government be
preserved -