Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-08
GENERALS REPORT.
Reference to District Matters.
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIoNs-A UNITED STATES
PENTTEETIARY AND CHANGE IN THE JUDICIAL
SYSTEM NEEDED.

GENERAL REcoNMRNDATIoNs-A UNITED STATES
PEN1TEE1IARY AND CHANGE IN THE JUDICIAL
SYSTEM NEEDED.
The Attorney General, in his annual report to
Congress, states that since the last report 634
suites claiming upward OF So 800 600 were brought
In the court OF claims under the ordinary jurlsdc-
tfOn OF the court. Six hundred and ninety lone
such cases are now pending, claiming upward OF
81, 600 OOO One thousand one hundred and forty
cases, involving more than $50 OOO 600, presented
by Congressional committees, and nine cases pre-
Sented by the departments involving about 81 500
600, are pending. Two thousand one hundred and
fifty French spoliation claims, amounting to sl2,.
10000, have been filed; 500 more are expected.
Six claims against the district were brought to
trial, claiming $147, ,34696. Two were remanded
Tor further argument; in one, judgment was set
aside; one remains under adviSement, and In
Two cases judgments were rendered In favor
OF claimants for s., 1929 There are pending AZ
cases cases claiming upward of s1,773,OO0. Some OF
tneSe are awaiting test cases In the Supreme court
Others Involving intricate and complicated Ques-
tions OF law and fact, and requiring much labor
and time In their examination are now in course
Oh preparation Tor submission to the court.
DISTRICT MATTERS.
The Attorney General recommends legislation
touching railroads in Washington city, and says
''Since the adjournment OF Congress in August
last complaints by citizens have been made as
heretofore, and am Of opinion legislation Oh this
He also suggests the erection OF asuitable build
Ing for the accommodation OF the United States
courts held at Washington city.
He says that q larger annual approprfation than
that heretofore made is needed to meet the wants
OF the library OF the Department of Justice. To
supply deficiencies OF books on Jurisprudence and
to purchase books published during the year will
require at least s., ,OOO and he recommends that
the annua! appropriation for law and miscellane-
GUS books be Increased to that amount.
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS
He recommends the equalization and increase OF
the salaries OF assistant attorneys and that the
salary Of the examiner OF claims in the Depart
ment OF State be increased to $1,000 He also
urges legislation on the subjects OF fees for mar
ShaiS In territories, pay OF deputy marShals, re-
vision OF the fee BILL substitution OF fiscal for cal
endar year, chief supervisors Of elections protec-
ton to civil officers and witnesses and fees OF Wit
nesSes ana jurors In territories.
A GOVERNMENT PENITENr1ARY.
He advocates the building Of government pen
itentiary and refomatOry at an early day. and
recommends the appointment of a commission to
inquire into the matter. He also renews the re-
commendatton that authority be given the judges
OF the United States courts to sentence i'm their
discretion prisoners convicted of first offenses TO
such reformatortes or graded prisons the Attor-
ney General may select.
It is impossible, he says to overestimate the
necessity that exists for change In the judicial
system to meet the constantly Increasing business
OF the country, and he urges that something be
done to remedy the evils complained OF on all
sides.