Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-12-07
THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS REPORT.

A significant passage in the annual report
OF Attorney. General Brewster is that in
which he speaks of the trial of Government
officers who have betrayed their trust. He
says; "All plans to d,fraud the Govern
ment, or to steal from the public treasury,
no matter where conlrived. are mostly con
summaed In Washington, and when the
guilty parties are arrested their trial must Of
Necessity take place Lcfoiea jury drawn in
the district. The arrest of one set of defend
ants brings to them the sympathy and active
all Of all others who are engaged in similar
schemes. If the defendants are wealthy, as
is often the case, by liberal expenditure of
money they secure the acquaintance and
friendship of prominent mtn who are Of a
social disposition, and whose open and public
association and companionship with the de-
fendauis is not without Its helpful effects.
When tine case is called for trial the govern.
ment stands alone, and opposed by many
disadvantages. while the defendants, aided
not only by their wealth, the encorr-
by certain feeling Of indifference which
seems to prevail in Washington concerning
such crimes are permitted TO depart from the
court room triumphing in their acquittal, c.
Gaping punishment and scandalzng the 3D.
ministration OF justice. Such has been the
case before, and such will occur again. so
long as the national treasury is confided sole.
y to the protection of local juries." To re-
medy these obvious aud glazing evils the AT.
torney- General suggests that Congress might
extend the jurisdiction of the United States
circuit and district courts for the district of
Maryland so as TO include cosnizance of all
oifenses agains, the general laws of the Uni.
ted States committed in the District of Co.
lumbia.
Further referring to the evils that surround
the jury system in the District of Columbia,
the AttorneyGeaeral calls attention to the
defects of the present law and some of tn
consequences Arising therefrom. "Unneces.
sary responsibility" he says, "is placed
upon officers who, although acting from the
purest and most conscientious motives, are
Liable a. any tine TO censure and rcproacb.
and the court and prosecuting officer should
not any longer be compelled TO struggle with
the limited machinery at their disposal. 1t is
recommended, in the interest of justice, and
as matter OF economy, that the number of
Jurors should be increased TO forty.eirbt.
that the time of service should be reduced TO
one month, then where deficiency Exists in |
Inc jury that deficiency should be supplied
from the box, and that an improved system
OF drawing, selecting AMI summonug juri,s
should be adopted without, delay"
AltorneY.Genera. Brewster states that
there were on the docket of the Supreme
court OF the Uuittd States at the beginning
81 the October term Gs.2), 1876 causes, |
1908 being on tue appellate and II on the |
original docket. OF these causes s74 were
not disposed Of Of the 81 causes in which |
the United States was concerned, 80 were
decided in favor..of and 90 against the United
States. In the court of claims ne suits, in
'olving about 100000 were brought
against The United States. Of these PIG
cases, involving claims for S5,79l, 1858. 60.
were disposed of. In the circuit aud dis
riot courts 1887 civil and 1909 criminal cases
we're terminated. The expense of these
'our's' not including salaries # judges, was
81 920, 5000. The report states that in
addition to SAC, goo for the fiscal year 1882,
lhere VIII be needed deficiency appropria-
lion of $l92, COO for the paymen, of a,,or.
neys, United States commissioners and clerks
OIL courts for the fiscal year 1883. The at
.orney'general again recommends the re.
Of the law of 1856 for the an.
polntment by United States attorneys of
attorneys in certain cases, and also
makes recommendations las to the fees of
Witnesses and jurors in the Territories.
The report also states that it is desirable
mat 'glslation for simplifying the pleadings
&C. In criminal cases should be passed.
considerable srace is given to This subject
ne encouragement making many sugges-
ions and submitting proposed form of
criminal procedure. In order provide all the
departments wilhprotection against perjury.
he attorney general recommends certain
'hanges in tho revised statutes. Attention
again called to the imperative necessity
orthe prompt adoption Of civil and Grim.
nal code Tor the District OF Columbia"