Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1885-12-18
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

.Ear.E VARIOUS RECOMMENDATIONS ~ -
The report Of the attorney general contains q
history Of the conduct Of the department Of JUS
tice during tho last year aud number of valus-
bic suggestions as to needed legislation and
invite your careful attention to the same. The
condition OF business In the courts OF the United
States Is such that there seems to be an irnpera-
tive necessity for remedial legislation ON the
subject. Some OF these courts are so overburd-
ened with pending causes that the delays in de-
termining litigation amount often to \ denial Of
justice. Among the plans suggested for relief Is
one submitted by the attorney general Its main
features are the transfer of all the original juris-
dct1on OF the circuit courts to the district courts
necessary, an addition of judges to the circuit
courts and constituting them exclusively courts
OF appeals and reasonably limiting appeals
thereto. Further restrictions OF the right Co
remove causes from the state to federal courts.
permitting appeals to the supreme court from
the District OF Columbia, aud the territories only
In the same cases as they arc allowed from state
courts, and guarding against an unnecessary
number Of appeals from the circuit court ap-
prove the plan thus outlined and recommend the
legislation necessary for its application to our
judicial system. The present mode Of compen~
satlns United States marshals and district at
Corneys should. Ill my opinion, be changed. They
are allowed to charge against the governments
CERTAIN FEES
for service, their incanle being measured by
amount ct such fees within fixed limit Is TO
their annual aggregate This is direct induce
cases as large as possible IN an effort to reach
the maximum sum permitted. AS an entirely
natural consequence, interruptions marshas
are found encouraging frivolous prosecutions,
arrest1ng people peG1y charges Of crime and
Transporting them TO distant places for examin-
alton and trial for the purpose OK earning mile
age and other fees, add district attorneys use
lesAiy attend criminal examinations far from
their places OF residence for the express Dur
pose OF swelling their accounts against the gov
ernnlent. The actual expenses incurred in
these transactions also charged against the
government. Thus the rights and Freedom Of
our citizens are outraged and public expendi-
ture Increased, for the purpose OF furnishing
public officers pretexts for increasing the
measure OF their compensation. think mar
shals and district attorneys should be paid sal
aries adjusted by rule which viii make them
commensurate with services fairly rendered.
In connection witch this subject desire to suQ-
ges5 the sdvisability, If it be found not Obnox.
mus to constitutional objection OF Investing
United States commissioners with the power to
try and determine cert ain violations OF law
within the grade of lnisdemeanors Such trials
mlSht he made t" depend upon the option OF the
accused. The multiplication OF small and
technical offenscs, especially under The pro-
visions Of our internal revenue law, render sorne
change in our present system Very advisable in
Inc interests or humanity as Well as economy.
The district courts are now crowded with petty
prosecutions involving punishment In cases OF
conviction OF only slight iue, while the parties
upon courts held hundreds OF miles from their
homes. IT poor and friendiess they ara obliged
to remain in Jail during months, perhaps that
eiapse before a session OF the court is held, aud
are finally brought to trial surrounded by
STRANGERS and with hut little real opportunity
for defense. In the meantime, frequently, the
marshal has charged against the government his
fees for an arrest, the Transportation OF the ac-
cnsed and the expense of tbs SAME, and for sum-
mon1ng witnesses before a commissioner, &
grand jury and court. The witnesses have
been paid from the public funds large Fees and
travelling expenses and the commissioners and
district attorney have also made their charges
against the government. This abuse in the adj
nltnfstration OF our criminal law should be
remeried, and If the plan above suggested is not
practicable some other should be devised.