Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-08
JUSTICES DEPARTMENT.
Attorney General Garland's Com
piiation of Facts.

attorney General GarlandS Com
piiation of Facts.
WASHINGTON. Dec. THE annual re-
port of Attorney General Garland con-
tains detailed statement OF the business
OF the Department of Justice during the
last fiscal year, together with statistics
OF crime against the limited statutes
during the year. Six hundred and thirty
four suils, aggregating in amount $35, ,000,-
OOO, have been brought against the United
States under the ordinary jurisdiction of
the Court of Claims. The total number
of such cases pending is 69l, involving
$25.0O0,000. Under the Bowman act /, ,23S
cases have been transmitted to the court
by the committees of Congress. These
involve large amount. There are now
pending ,140 cases, the amounts involved
being $30,000,000 under the same act.
Twenty-eIght claims, to the amount of
$4,000 COO, have been transmitted by the
heads sofdepartments. OF these, nine cases,
involving $l,5O0,000, are still pending.
FRENCH SPoLIATION CLAIMS.
In addition to the above there has been
filed under the "Freuch soolIation act'
2, 100 cases, amounting to $I2, ,000,0 600. 1t
Is Iudb OOU IuOTo cases VIII De
filed and the amount increased to about
s15,000,000. During the year 425 suits
against the United States, claiming ST.
706, 42S were brought to trial. In 396 OF
these suits, claiming SIC 996, 554, judg-
ment was for the claimants for $967, ,689.
During the year 1873 civil suits, to which
the United States was party, were
terminated In the Circuit and Dis
trict Courts of the United States.
The number pending July l,
was 1926. The number of criminal pros
ecutlons terminating during the year
was Ia, ,4I9, about one-half of which were
for violations of the internal revenue
laws. The aggregate amount of judg-
ments rendered in favor OF the United
States in civil suits was 1921, ,13S. The
amount actually collected was $202I72
The amount OF fines, fOrfeitures and pen
altes imposed In criminal prosecutions
during the year was $561, ,661. Civil suits,
to which the United States was not a
party, numbering 1885. were terminated
during the year in the United States Cir
cult and District Courts.
NEEDED LEGISLATION.
The Attorney General briefly urges the
Importance of Legislation on the following
matters, the necessity fer which was
pointed cut in hts last annual report:
OF Deputy Marshals; revision of the fee
bill; substitution OF the fiscal fer the cal
endar yeary ohief supervisors OF elections;
pratec<ion to civil ofacers and witnesses;
fees Of witnesses asd jurors in the terri
torres, and Reorganization OF the jury sys-
TEN Ia the District OF Columbia. Eie de-
votes n chapter 10 the subject OF United
States prisoners and sbe general question
of convict lsber, and advocates the build
ing OF q government penitentlaTy and
refer m atoFy at an early day. He recon-
msnds the appointment OF a commission
10 inquire into the matter, He also re-
news his recem N endatien that authority
be given Judges OF United States Courts
to sentence in their discretion prisoners
con ioted OF nrst otfeHses TO such refor-
mstories or graded prisons as the Attor-
Rey General may select.
ADDITIONAL JAILs.
he aiss urges the necessity OF additional
United Ststes jGils, and mentions Atlanta,
Ca, and Louisville, Ky., as cities where
such buildings are much needed. TIE
number Of United States prisoners In Gus
tedy June 30, 1885, was 1929. The Attor-
ney General calls attention to the unsat-
isracioFy condition OF The revenue liuiga-
tan In the Southern district OF New York,
and eoIsmaEds the suggestion of the So
lieitOr OF tbs Treasury tor the appoint
meps Of an additional judge for the sxclu-
siVe trial OF revenue cases in that district.
supplementary legislation respecting the
FsstOr alton OF court records 10 strongly
urSed by the Attorney General as neoes-
saYy for the preservation OF records OF
greet value. 1t 10 impossible, the After
neg General says, TO over-estimate
the necessity that exists tor change In
the judicial systsm to meet the constantly
increasing business OF the country, and
be urges that something be done 20
remedy tue evils complained OF on all
sizes. TIE Attorney General recon-
mende that the salaries OF assistant attor-
news In TIE Department Of Justice be in
creased and equalized and that the salary
OF the Examiner OF Claims in the Depart