The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1884-11-26
BREWSFER'S BUDGET.
ATTORNEY GENERALS REPORT.
What Must be Done With Accounts OF
Election Sunervisors-He Favors
Common sense Forms for In
diotmeuts -Jury -Fixers.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 25,--Tn his annual
report Attorney General Brewster sug-
gests that all accounts OF chief supervis-
ors OF election must he taxed in open
court, under the inspection and exami-
nation of the district attorney or his
sworn assistant, and they must then be
forwarded to the proper department for
further examination and reduction,
if deemed advisable, and
necessary. These election laws are of
the highest Importance to the general
welfare aud their proper execution
matter of prime necessity. Their abuse,
ON the other hand, is great public
wrong, to be guarded against by appro-
pirate legislation.
The encouragement directs the at
tentlon OF congress 10 the want of
proper legislation for criminal eases in
preparing indictments. Ha says for
offences against the United States, il is
found necessary to follow the common
law forms Of the last century,
with all the technicalities, ver-
bosity, description, repettons ami
precision of the statements
formerly required, whereby that which
should be simple and concise I'm written
accusation becomes lengthy and pain
fully confused. The mass OF DESCRIPTIONS
and allegations are wholly uumt6iiga-
Tile to the defendant, who is called
upon 10 answer or TO q
Jury selected to Try Il case
To reduce the pleading to plain and
comprehensive facts would serve
equally TO the advantage of the govern-
neui and etendtut. I4ere is no reason
why au Indictment ought not 10 10 adj
Judged suIiiciCnt and GOOD IN law which
charges Il crime substantially In the
Language of the set prohibiting
tho crimo and prescribing the punish
ment, OF so plainly that The nature OF
the oiiense charged may be easily nm
derstood by jury when il is necessary
To- describe or make avowment
OF any written or printed instrument.
such instrument must DO copled
into an Indictment with literal exact
ness equal to Photographic reproduction.
Inc omission OF u word that appears
almost undiscernable among the limos
and nourishes created by the skill OF the
engrsYer or penman would be fatal de-
iect That might enable guilty.
man 10 escape punishment.
Ihe encouragement points out the
evil omission $ and defects in the pres
ent law in the eases of murder, man
slaughter, larceny, demurrers, motions
% quash, challenges, etc, and submits
lhe drratt OF bill designed to afford
remedy.
In connection with the subject of iurv
duty, he says alt is the belief and the
common report that the business of iury
llAing tiourlshes to an alarming extent
IN the District of Columbia. 1t is asserted
lhat mon i've, support their families,
ana oven grow rich in the practice of
this nefarious profession. AS
the jury system now exists
that INSCRIPTIONS men should
safely conduct u lucrative business in
dehauching jurios in the district should
occasion no surprise. With but twonty-
SIX Jurors, such as usually serve in u
clyu jury a iiXer would
least two or three OF them
in u few hours, and that would give him
| q strong beginning in his Efforts 10
thwart justice. With hut twenty-siX
| Jurors, serving Tor three months, il
| would not require Ono-third that time
| with the combined force of Jury GxerS.
/ ID become thoroughly acquainted with
| the habits, associations, character
! and business Of each Juror. and
| tho influences, II any, that could
| pe used to reach him and bring him
Wl,hin th,ir power. Then, again, what
I is there TO prevent one or more we'll
I dressed aud apparently respectable
| looking rogues IN placing themselves in
the way of a marshal OF his depu,ies 10
he brought into court rs talpSnsu md
serving upon jurieS 10 acquit their
friends or COnlederates?
The attorney general recommends
that tho iurisdiriiou OF United State,
circuit and district courts for the indie
cial district of MARYLAND he eyteudnd
tor tho purpose Of securing trial in
such courts and before iurics
drawn from tho entire stgio of
Maryland OF eases involving crimes
roWuultod in the District of Columbia
against the United States Thenational
treasury he says, is the great centre of
ailurOuont and temptation Threads
are made upon IL through all aveuu,s
ny which 1t can ho approached.
All the plans 10 dotrRul
the goverumout. no matter where con-
trived, as mostly cousuumatod In
Washington, and when Che guilty par-
tics are arrested their ,ripl must, of ne
ccssitH take place before Jury
drawn in tho District of Columbia.
ihe arrest of one SET of
N''vhu"u'S NIlhES 10 lheW the sympathy
and tho active aid of all others engaged
In similar schemes. II the defendants
are wealthy, rs is often the cuSe, by A
liberal eXpenditu, OF money thew secure
acquaintance and the friendship of
prominent men who are OF social
disposition, aud whose open and public
association aud compWuionship with de.
PENDANTS Is not without helriul OBJECT.
Nnen the case Is called for trial the gov-
eminent stands alone and upposed NV