Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-10-14
Trivial Prosecutions"

the cases tried.
Trivial Prosecutions
The next charge investigated was the
one that trivial prosecutions were common
in the Federal Court Of the State. Upon
this allegation the report says; ut is un.
questionaby true that a large number Of
prosecutions for violation Of the internal
revenue laws are brought in the United
States Courts in the District of West Vir-
ginia, but we find that no officer Of the
United States Court, or Deputy Marshal, in
that district can justly be held responsible
for this"
Witness Fees"
The charge that some ell, 200 more
money was expended for witnesses in 1888
than in 1882 in the West Virginia district
is thus disposed Of.
THE increase in witness fees in 1888
over 1882 will appear trivial when it is
taken into consideration that during 1888
there we're had in that district q counter.
feiting convictions, l3 postoiflce convic-
tions, the remainder OF the increase is evil
IDENTIFY caused by the number Of these cases
and not attributable to expenses incurred
in the prosecution Of violations against rev
cnue laws.
In regard to the summoning Of witnesses
before Grand Juries, the report says, The
course pursued by G. w. Atkinson, Esq,
the present United States Marshal, to pre-
vent, as far as he could, the prosecution Of
trivial or technical violations Of the revenue
laws, is a commendable one"
The report further says: I'VE learned that
Marshal Atkinson, when he took charge Of
the Office, reappointed, with but one excep-
ton, every deputy who had served under
his predecessor, and that he has been more
ligid in scrutinizirg their actions and ac-
counts than his predecessor had been.
"Dismissing Cases"
In regard to the dismissing Of cases from
the docket, the examiners after discussing
the question at some length, conclude their
observations as follows: From the records
we find that the number OF. cases nolle
pressed has diminished every year, Here
follows q table showing the number Of cases
dismissed beginning with the fall term OF
1880, when they reached lji, to the fall
term of 1888, when they were three.
The report states in lengthy and eX.
haustive manner that the charges OF the i'm,
proper summoning of juries by the Marshal
we're in no wise sustained Both the Court
and the Marshal are commended for their
efforts to economize in the matter Of paying
Jurors for the Court.
ID. C. Lucas Testimony.
The examiners were directed TO call on
Hon. Ban. B. Lucas, OF Charlestown, for in.
formation against the Marshal The re
port says, 1--WE called on Mr.. Lucas for all
the information he might have relative
to arrests and prosecutions Of parties on
frivolous charges He informed US that he
had no specific information upon the sub
iect. He mentioned the case OF Samuel
Brown, Of Charlestowp, as one particularly
applying to the subject. We saw Samuel
Brown and questioned him relative 10 his
arrest and he informed US that he had no
complaint to make; had made none; that
he had sold liquor without paying the
special tax, and that when the case was
called be-of his own motion and unin.
duenced by any court ofIicer-plead guilty
to the charge and was now glad to have es-
capped with light sentence.
The report gives copy OF an Official
letter Of Marshal Atkinson's TO one Of his
deputies in which he dissllows considera-
bic portion Of bill against the Government,
and giving as a reason for such disaliow-
ance that the deputy had charged mileage
by other than the nearest routes OF travel.
The examiners in this correction make the
following observation: an the examina-
lion OF the accounts Of the Marshal and bis
deputies, we found that Marshal Atkinson
has in many instances reduced the charges
made BY deputies for mileage decreasing q,
one term through such disallowsDces the
account Of his brother, Deputy Marshal
James S. Atkinson.
How the Mar-hars Books Are Kept.
In regard 10 the records, &c. in the Mar
shars Office. 4he examiners reported as fol-
lows: "Tbe Msrthal keeps his books in
plain and easily understood business map-
ner"
The examiners close their report in the
following language
ain justice to Marshal Atkinson We have
10 sav that we found him efficient, pains
taking and honest. He has introduced
many reforms in abolishing the generally
loose practices permitted BY bis predeces-
sors in Office. caused the sbolishing of boy
bailiffs. discoitinre1 the practice long in
vogue in that district Of permitting deputy
msrshals to serve as jurors, and has faith
fully endearored to perform his duties.
The report signed BY James W. Sighien-
gale and Ralph BALM, examiners Of the
Department Of Justice, and is dated June
q, 1884.
fn--Af fn-.A