National Republican., 1883-03-02

THE CRIMINAL DOCKET.
The District Attorney Calls Attention to
the Large Number OF Cases Awaiting
Trial.

The District Attorney Calls Attention TO
the Large Number OF Cases Awaiting
Trial.
District Attorney Corkhll laid a commune
cation before the supreme court yesterday
calling the courts attention to the present
condition of the criminal business in that
court. He says
On tho first day OF present December term OF
the court the trial Of the OF the United States
VS.. Brady et ALL known at the star route trial. was
resumed. This trial has already occupied the en-
tire term, over thirteen weeks and from the best
inforpaton j can obtain / think II more than
probable that II viii consume two months longer,
l have now awaiting trial eleven cases of homi.
eide, some Of which have been pending already
Seven cases OF grand larceny.
Eleven persons charged with housebreaking,
many Of whom nj have several n Gases gd against them
Seven cases of second offense petit larceny.
Two cases Of assault with intent TO kill.
Twenty three cases Of embezzlcment
One case Of highway robbery
Ono case OF perjury.
In addition the grand jury since the foregoing
list was prepared, have found over twenty-five
cases Of Importance, making In all total OF over
one hundred cases awaiting trial. or the persons
charged in these cases forty eight are confined in
II will readily be seen that It becomes abso-
lutely necessary to provide some remedy for this
Section Of :" An act to create an additional as.
sociate justice OF the supreme court of the District
justice in said district" approved Feb. %, 1870,
provides that the general term may order two
terms Of the circuit court to be held at the same
time, whenever In their Judgment the business
therein shall require IT. and they shall designate
by an order Of the court the time and places of
shall respectively be held, and shall make all
necessary orders for division Of the docket be-
| tween the justices holding such term, and the
petit jurles shall be drawn therefor In the same
manner as is provided for in such circuit court at
| least ten days before the commencement of any
such sitting" [Rlchardson's supplement to the
| Rev, Stats, u s., chap 90, p. il9.
Section / Of an act approved June s, 1850, pro-
Ydes THAT any justice OF the supreme court Of the
District Of Columbia holding 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
exloilent SO to dol may hold stlngs for the trial
| of such criminal cases depending In the criminal
court as the Justice presiding therein may assign
drawn for such circuit courts Tor such trials aud
such sittings may be held during the regular ses.
sIons OF the criminal court or ~ fhe recess thereof
business done at such stings shall be recorded in
| the minutes of the criminal court" Orchard
sons supplement to the Rev. Stats u s., chap,
Under these two provisions the assignment by
Mr.. Justice Wyie TO the circuit court OF this large
| amount OF criminal business Will necesSitate
another circuit court or the rights OF private suit
ors will have TO Yield TO the constitutional right
ora speedy trial guaranteed 70 men charged with
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 well with a view 20 the prompt punish
ment of the guilty, respectfully request that the
court take such action under the laws above cited
as VIII subserye tho properadmlnlsIration ofpub'
| lie justice.
The chief justice took the communication,
and said the court would take the matter
under advisement.