The Evening critic., 1883-03-01
THE CRIMINAL BUSINESS

OF Tho District Way Behind
colonel COrkhiIi Makes n sugges-
ton In order 10 Relieve the Dock
et and give Prisoners u Speedy
Trial.
District Attorney Corkhill appeared in
the Court in Banc to-day and laid the fol-
lowing communication before the bench Of
judges.
10 nc Honorable ne Judges Of tho SapreDle Court
Qr TIE District Of Columbia In General T,rm:
feel II my duty to call the particular at.
tention OF the Court to the present condition OF
the criminal business in this court.
on the first day of present December term
OF the court the trial OF tho ase of tho United
States vs. Brady ct al., known as the Star
Route trial, was resumed. This trial has
already occupied tho entire term, over thir-
teen weeks, and from the best informa-
ton can obtain, think 1t moro than probable
that II Will consume two months longer, thus
consuming all Of the coming term.
have now awaiting trial eleven cases OF
homicide, some OF which have been pending
already too long;
Seven cases OF grand larceny;
Eleven persons charged with housebreak-
ing, many of whom have several cases against
them;
Twelve cases Of receiving stolen goods;
Seven cases OF second offense petit larceny;
Two cases Of assault with Intent to KILL
Twenty.three cases OF embeg2lement;
ono case OF highway robbery;
One case OF perjury.
In addition, the Grand Jury, since the fore
sSnG list WAS pmTepareg pr have 52qnd oyer %
a total OF over 100 cases awaiting trial. OF the
persons charged in these cases rs are con-
1t will readily be seen that It becomes abso-
lutely necessary TO provide some remedy for
this state OF AFFAIRS.
Section 5 OF IAN act TO create an additional
associate justice OF the Supreme Court Of the
District OF Columbia, and for the better ad-
ministratlon of justice In said Dlstrict," ap.
proved February 25, 1870, provides that "the
General Term may order two terms of the Cir
cult Court TO be held at the same time, when.
ever In their Judgment the business therein
shall require 1t; and they shall designate by an
order Of the Court the time and places Of hold
ing the same and the justices by whom they
shall respectively ne held, and shall make all
necessary orders for division OF the docket be-
tween the justices holding such term and tho
petit juries shall be drawn therefor In the same
manner as is provided for in such Circuit
Court at least ten days before the commence
ment of any such sitting" Richardson's sup
plement TO the Rev. Stats. u. s., chap. 80
p. 49, -
| provides "that any Justice of the Supreme
| Court OF the District of Columbia holding q
| term Of the Circuit Court for said District,
| whenever the condition of the business in
| such Circuit Court and in the Criminal Court,
| In the opinion Of the General Term OF said
| Supreme Court, may render It proper and ex-
pedient so TO do), may hold slttngs for the trial
| OF such criminal cases depending In the Criml-
| nal Court as the justice presiding therein may
| usblEu puEpOst. huu may tHiplOy lllo
petit 1uries drawn for such Circuit Court for
such trials; and such sittings may be held
| during the regular sessions of the Criminal
| Court, or in the recess thereof, during the
| term Of such Circuit Court; and the business
| done at such sittlngs shall be recorded In
| the minutes Of the Criminal Court" Orchard
sons supplement TO the Rev. Stats. U. s., chap.
| 1877, p. 53S.)
| Under these two provisions the assignment
| by Mr. Justice Wylte TO the Circuit Court OF
| this large amount OF criminal business Will
| ueCessitate another Circuit Court, or the rights
| of private suitors Will have to yield to the
constitutional right of speedy trial
| guaranteed to men charged with
crime. Long delay in tho trial of criminal
| cases is fatal to successful prosecution and,
| in behalf OF the rights Of these persons
| charged with crimes, SO many of whom are
| deprived OF their liberty, and as we'll with a
| view to the prompt punishment Of the guilty,
| respectfully request that the court take such
| action under the laws above cited as will sub
| serve the proper administration Of public
| justice.
| Very respectfully,
| GEORGE d. CORKHILL,
| US. Atty, DC.
The Chief Justice took the letter and stated
| that the Court would take the matter under
| adyisemelt,