New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-02
THE ATTORNEEGENER4DS REPORT.

WASHINGTON, Dec. LIN his annual report
Attorney General Brewster states that there the
docket of the Supreme OF the United States az the
beginning OF the October term 1882 1878 causes 1858
being appellate and II the original docket OF
these causes S74 not disposed Of OF the 81
in which the United States concerned, 80 were de-
cded in OF and % against the United States In the
Court OF Claims 772 suits, involving about So 600 000
were brought against the United States. OF these
ZIG cases. INVOLVING claims for 1921 9j3 CO. were dis
posed Of In the Circuit and District Courts 1897 civil
and 1902 criminal terminated. The expense
of these courts. not including salaries OF Judges,
was $2,929,857 80. The report states that In
addition to $4,000 for the fiscal year 1882,
there will be needed a deficiency appropriation
OF $4,000 for the payment OF attorneys,
Unitad States Commissioners and Clerks OF Courts the
fiscal year 1888 The Attorney again
the reenactment of the law of 1856 for the appointment
by United States attorneys Of substitute attorneys in
certain cases. and also makes recommendations to the
fees OF witnesses and jurors in the Territories
The report also states that is desirable that legatOn
for simplifying the pleadings, etc, in criminal
should be passed. Considerable space is given TO this
subject, the Attorney General making many sugges-
tons and submitting u proposed form Of criminal
procedure In order to p OXIDE all the departments
with protection against PERJURY the AttorneyGen
recomnends certain changes in the Revised Statutes
Attention is again called to the imperative necessity
for the prompt adoption OF civil and criminal
code for the District Of Columbia" Referring
the District OF Columbia, the Attorney General calls
attention to the defects OF the present law and
some Of the consequences arising therefTOm
Unnecessary responsibility he says, is placed upon
Officers who, although acting from the purest and most
conscientious motives Liable at any time TO cenSure
and Teproach, and the court and prosecuting OIL
Ger ,er should not any Longer be compelled
their disposal 1t Is recommended In the Interest OF JUS
uce, and n matter OF economy That the num-
Der OF jurors should be increased 10 4S,
mat the time OF service should DO re-
ouccd TO month"; that where deficiency exists in the
Jury that deficiency should be supplied from the box and
mat an improved system OF drawing selecting and sum
honing Jures should be adopted without delay"
referring TO the TRIALS Of Government officers who have
betrayed their trusts the report says: All plans 10 dc
FRAUD the Government 20 steal from the public Treas
uiy, no matter where cOntrived, mostly oOnsum-
mated In Washington and when the guilty parties
esed their trial must OF necessity take place before
Jury drawn in the District The OF OF de-
PENDANTS brings them the sympathy and active aid OF
az others who engaged in similar schemes II tho
ueIehoants wealthy, IA often the by liberal
expenditure OF money they secure the acquaintance and
friendship OF prominent men who are OF social DISPOSE
oh and whose open and public association and compan
Ssnsp with the defendants not without Its helpful
when the Is called for trial, the Government
stands alone, and by many disadvantages while
e ue1endants, aided not only by their wealth. the
arrangement and influence OF their friends but by
ln Keeling OF Indifference which 10 prevail in
.nSlOn concerning such Crimes permitted 10 de-
Ia from the COURT trumphing their aequittal
~ punishment and scandalizng the administration
.sce such has been the ease before, ana such will
si again, 10 long as the National Treasury Is oonsded
10 1e protection Of local Juries" To remedy these
Is suggested that Congress might extend tho |
uction OF United States Circuit and District Courts
~ DisInes u Maryland 60 ~ TO include cognizance