Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-10

What He Says In His Annual Report Z
Congress.


AFFAIRS OF DBTRICT NTHRRsr-LAWU NEKDIp
IN THE INTEREST OF MoRALrTY-THH aEToRM
scHooL-THE STATUS OF THE ITATA oAsn-
BUSINESS BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT.
The report Of the Attorney General gives
the business Of the Department Of Justice
during the fiscal year ending June s0last
In relation to the business Of the Supreme
Court the report says that the legislation en-
acted by the last session Of the Fifty-frst Con-
gress, with view to relief in the business Of the
Supreme Court has so far not afforded such re-
lief. On the contrary. the number Of cases
upon the present docket Of that court is larger
than ever before. This il accounted for BY
two causes:
First When IL was known that, after fixed
time, . large class of cases could no longer be
brought by writ Of error or appeal to that
court, special efforts were made to get cases
into that court prior to that time; and thus q
considerable number OF cases were filed in
which otherwise the writ of error or appeal
would have been perfected much later.
Second. The act providing for tho Circuit
Court Of Appeals authorizes q review in the
Supreme Court of any judgment or conviction
in case Of felony, whereas prior to the act Of
February s, 1889, the Supreme Court had no
appellate jurisdiction in criminal cases;
a ar at. after that act until ii, the passage
capital cases Naturally, unless the appellate
court bill is amended, a very large part Of the
time of the Supreme Court will be required in
the consideration of writs Of error from judg
ments Of conviction in cases of felony. There
seems to be no necessity, or, as it seems to him,
propriety, in the exercise of such jurisdiction
by the Supreme Court, certainly in any except
capital cases. The Attorney General recon-
mends that the law be amended accordingly.
The circuit court of appeals, authorized by
the act of Congress of March g. 1884, has been
organized in each circuit and is ready for bust
ness. although the additional circuit judge in
each circuit has not yet been appointed.
1t is necessary that some provision be made
for the care of the business Of the government
In the circuit court of appeals.
The report notes also the organization of the
new court of private land claims and gives an
account OF the business before the Court Of
Claims.
Speaking Of U. s. prisons and prisoners the
report says: IAN examination Of the several
veals the fact that the penitentiary system Of
many OF the states is not to be commended.
The convict camp is not Endorsed by the de-
partment."
THE DISTRICT REFORM SCHOOL.
Concerning the reform school for boys in
the District of Columbia the report shows that
larger number of inmates have been accom-
modated and cared for during than any previous
year, and that, Notwithstanding this fact, the
superintendent has been compelled to
decline to receive many whom the courts
desired to send to this institution. 1t
is thus clearly shown that an additional family
building ought to be erected, which, it is esti-
mated, would cost go, 900, and that to furnish
the same would cost 81, 200. 1t also seems
clear that additional closets should be fitted
up at an estimated expense of $2.400. The
mn har IF otoo o1c lie far
teachers, and l recommend that these matters
be provided for.
1t will be noticed that notwithstanding the
Increase in the number to be supported, no in
crease OF the appropriation for the support Of
inmates is asked In considering the neces-
sity for increased accommodation and an in
creased number OF teachers, it is to be borne
In mind that juvenile offenders are sent
to this institution, not only from
the District of Columbia but from
other districts. and that the population
of the District well as of the country gener-
ally is rapidly increasing. l am sure that no
money appropriated by Congress is 80 fruitful
of good results as that which is devoted to the
reformation and education of those who have
Just started down the broad highway of wrong
doing. hope that whatever else may be over
looked the boy and the girls who may be res
cued in such an institution az this will have
attention.
REFORM SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
In an act of Congress approved July g. 1888,
the incorporation of reform school for girls
in the District of Columbia is authorized and
provisions enacted for the management and
regulation Of the same. No appropriation was
however. made for such institution. The
need for such q school thus recog-
nized is urgent I am frequently reminded
by judges and officers of the courts of the Dis
trict Of Columbia and elsewhere throughout
the United States that there is no place where
juvenile female offender can be sent with any
hope of such treatment and discipline as will
result in reformation. 1t is impossible to JUS
tify the association Of children OF tender years.
who may have gone astray in the same prison
with mature and oftentimes hardened criminals.
Yet, in the absence of an institution especi-
ally adapted to such cases, there is no alterna-
tive. know of no state institution of the kind
where such prisoners can be sent. except in oc-
casional or rare instances. The successful
workings and results Of the reform school for
boys in the District of Columbia not only
commends that institution, but would
seem to be sufficient argument why a
a4s t,or should ..,d be made
and their greater susceptibility to influences
good and evil intensity in their behalf every
argument which has been efficient in establish
ing school for boys. l earnestly recommend
an appropriation for the purpose Of purchasing
a site and erecting such Institution.
The commissioner of charities for the District
OF Columbia has, believe, asked an appropria-
ton of $4,000 for this purpose, in which re-
quest concur
If argument in support of this recommends
ton is needed the following facts are submit
ted as such argument: The number Of arrests
OF females under twenty-one years of age in
the District of Columbia, as reported by the
superintendent of the metropolitan police, is as
follows: 1887, 1872; 1885, 923; 1889, 742; 1880,
1,112; 1891, 1921.
The number committed to the work house
for the same years. as appears from the state
ment OF the superintendent, is as follows: 1887
l4S; 1888, 220 1889, 269; 1880. $40; 1891. 1886. \
This class OF prisoners should be provided
for in an institution where, if possible, their
reformation could be effected. Your attention
is invited to the bill introduced at the last ses-
sion of Congress, II. r. $751; with the accom-
panying report, No. 1888. Unless this appro-
priation is made the incorporation Of the girls
reform school is useless, AZ the board is power
less to act.
JAIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The present condition Of this Jail is not salts
factory. The causes of this state of things are
principally two: First, the management Of the
institution is double headed. disappointment
and discharge Of the warden, guards, &C., are
under the control Of the Supreme Court
of the District, while the expenses. in
Guiding the fixing of salaries, the paying of
officials and employees, rest with the Attorney
General. This being SO, it is difficult to tell