Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-12-09
Department of Justice.

The conduct of the Department OF Justice for
the last fiscal year is fully detailed in the report
earnest attention OF the Congress TO the same,
and due consideration of the recommendations
therein contained. In the report submitted by
this officer to the last session of the Congress,
he strongly recommended the erection of a
penitentiary for the confinement OF prisoners
convicted and sentenced in the United States
courts, and be repeats the recommendation III
his report for the last year. This is matter of
very great Importance and should at once re-
ceiye Congressional action United states
prisoners are now confined In more than thirty
different State prisons and penitcntiaries sit
uated in every part OF the country They are
subjected to nearly as many different modes OF
treatment ana discipline, and are far too much
removed from the control and regulation of the
Government. So far as they are entitled to hui
name treatment and opportunity for improve
sponsibe to them and society that these things
are fnrthcoming But this DUTY can scarcely be
discharged without more absolute control and
discretion than 1t spossible under the present
system.
Many Of our good citizens have interested
themselves with the most beneficial results on
the question OF prison reform The general
Government should be in q situation.
since there must be United States prisoners, 10
furnish important aid in this movement, and
should be able TO illustrate what may be pracii-
caly done in the direction of this reform, and 10
present an example in the treatment and I'M
proyement OF its prisoners worthy OF imitation.
ment could deal with the somewhat veXed ques-
tt0n OF convict labor, so far as Its convicts were
concerned, according 10 a plan OF its own adop-
ton and with due regard to the rights
and interests Of our laboring citizens,
instead of sometimes aiding in the operation OF
q stem winch causes among them irritation
and discomfort. Upon consideration OF this
subject 1t might be thought wise to erect more
than one OF these institutions. located in such
places as would best suhserve The purposes OF
convenience and economy IN TRANSPORTATION.
The considerable cost vi maintaining these con-
vets, as at present IN State institutions, would
be saved by the adoption OF the plan proposed,
and by employing the IN the manufacture OF
such articles as were needed Tor use by the gov
eminent, quite large pecuniary benefit would
be realized in partial return for our outlay.
THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM.
again urge a change in the Federal judicial
system to meet the wants of the people and OBJ
viate the delays necessarily attending the pres
ent condition of affairs in our courts. All ere
agreed that something should be done, and much
tavor IS shown by those well able to advise 10 the
plan suggested by the Attorney General at the
last session of the Congress- and recommended
IN my st annual message, This recommenda-
tion il lere renewed. toge her with another made
at ths s.-me time. Touching change In the
manner OF compensAting District Attorneys and
Mar5hals. and the latter SUBJECTS commended TO
the congress for rs action In the interest OF
economy to the Government, and humanity, fair
cess aud justice to 0llr people.