National Republican., 1886-12-08
ATTORNEY GENERALS REPORT.
Reorganization OF tho Jury System in
This DIstriot Recommended.


This District Recommended.
The annual report Of Attorney General
Garland contains detailed statement of
the business of the Department of Justice
during the last fiscal year, together with
statistics OF crime against the United States.
During the year 634 suits, aggregating in
amount $500, 600, have been brought under
the ordinary Jurisdiction Of the court
Of claims. The total number o.
such cases pending is SOL, involv-
ing S25,0O0,000. Under the Bowman
act 1928 cases have been transmitted
TO the court by committees Of Congress.
These involve large amount. There are
now pending ,140 cases, the amounts In
volyed being S30,0O0,O00. Under the same
act % claims, to the amount OF $4,000, ,0OJ,
have been transmitted by the heads Of de.
partments. OF these, o cases, involving
$l,500, 900, are still pending. In addition
TO the above, there has been filed under the
"French spoliatlon act 2, 100 cases. amount
ing TO 81, 100000 IL is thought that 500
more cases will be fled and the amount In.
creased TO about fl5,000,000, During the
year 1876 suits. claiming $17,T06, ,42s, were
brought TO trial. In 800 suits, claiming
$l6,gg6,bb4, Judgment was for claimants
for $967, $50.
During the year 1,37D civil suits 10 which
minated in the circuit and district courts OF
the United States. The number pending
July / was 2,S26. The number OF criminal
| prosecutions terminated during the year
was 14,479, about one-half OF which were
| for violations OF internal revenue laws.
| The aggregate amount Of Judgments rem
deTed in favor OF the United States In civil
suits was Ss21, ,l3s. The amount actually
collected was $202,1T2. The amount OF
fines, forfeitures and penalties imposed In
| criminal prosecutions during the year was
| s56I631. Civil suits to which the United
States was not party, numbering 1895,
were terminated during the year in
United States circuit and district courts.
The Attorney General briefly urges the
Importance Of legislation on the following
matters, the necessity for which was
| pointed out in his last annual report: Fees
| for marshals In territories, pay OF deputy
marsbals, revision Of the fee bill, substitu.
| tion Of fiscal for calendar year, chief super
visors Of elections, protection to civil OIL
GERS and witnesses, fees of witnesses and
| jurors In territories, and reorganization
Of the jury system In the District Of Colum-
bia.
He devotes chapter to the subject OF
United States prisoners and the general
question Of convict labor, aud advocates
the building Of government penitentlary
and reformatory at an early day. He rec
| OnmeDub Tue NJ pOluJtnenJ Oh n commission
TO inquire into the matter. He also renews
the recommendation that authority be given
the judges Of the United states courts to
sentence, In their discretion, prisoners con-
ylcted Of first offenses to such reformatorles
or graded prisons as the Attorney General
may select. He also urges the necessity of
additional United States jalls, and mentions
Atlanta, Ga, and Louisville, KY, as cities
where such buildings are much needed.
The number Of United States prisoners In
custody June 30, 1886, was 5000.
The Attorney General calls attention to
the unsatisfactory condition OF revenue lit
igation In the southern district of New
York, and commends the suggestion of the
solicitor Of the treasury for the Appointment
Of an additional judge for the exclusive
trial Of revenue cases In that district Sup
Elementary legislation respecting the resto
ration Of court records is strongly urged by
the Attorney General as necessary for the
preservation Of records Of great value. II
is impossible, the Attorney General says, tC
overestimate the necessity that exists for q
change in the judicial system to meet the
constantly increasing business OF the
country, and he urges that something bt
done to remedy the evils complained
Of on all sides. The attorney general rec.
torneys In the Department OF Justice be In
creased and equaliZed, aud that the salary
OF the examiner OF claims In the Depart
ment OF State be increased to 5000. III,
also recommends legislation to dispose o
the government's interest In the city hal
building at Utica, N. Y.