The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-12-28
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
Sketch OF the Head Of the Law De-
partment Of the United
States.
OF What Els Duties Consist, and
How Mr.. Miller Performs
Them.
Julian Hnwthorne's Impressions of the
Gentleman-Hfs Appearance When
Seated at His Desk.

i
of justice il formidable name for a build
ing, suggesting architectural features ol
the most majestic and awful description
And there are handsome and imposing
public buildings in abundance in Washing.
ton. but tho building consecrated to the
department OF justice depends for it's i'm.
pressiveness rather upon its name, and the
dignity and Importance of it's functions
than upon anything contributed by the
builder and decorator. @
1t is a red stone structure of fair dimen-
sions that looks as If it might have been in
tended for warehouse or mercantile eatab-
lishment; but, as an afterthought the flag
of the United States had been hoisted upon
it, and justice had taken up her headquar-
ters there. You enter by way Of sort OF
wooden she'd or lean-to at one end, are
lifted by the elevator to the first floor and
see over the doorway the legend, "Ihe
Attorney-GeneraI."
| Entering, you find yourself in narrow
ante-room, with chairs along the wall, in
one of which an attendant, to whom you
have stated your errand, asks you to be
seated moment.
| AS | sat there, a middle-aged man, of
middle height, clad in a rather rusty suit of
dark cloth, Dassed through the room, and
disappeared by an inner door. Judging
from his general appearance, he might have
been one of the minor clerks of the depart
ment. But when, after few moments, /
followed to the apartment beyond, there
sat the middle-aged man at the large table
in the middle of the room. and, as he turned
his face towards me, saw that he was the
attorney general himself.
His countenance, indeed, was far from
being as commonplace as his aspect other
wise. He is Of somewhat spare but sinewy
habit, with broad and prominent cheek
bones and pair of remarkably clear and
penetrating eyes. His hair and short beard
are grayiBh, his nose, a long. finely cut
aqueline, his upper lip short, his chin prom
| inent. His forehead il broad and imposing
and developed at the corners. His look is
sagacious, honest, resolute and devoid Of
| self-consciousns His mind. l should
suppose. is retentive in memory. orderly in
ideas, full of knowledge. judicious and
bold. He is swift of apprehension, circum-
spect but firm in decision, and all his fac
nlties are lightened and broadened by a
quiet sense of humor. | fancy could have
known MIN anywhere for n lawyer, and
lish bench, clad in the wig and robes of
state, he would look lord chief justice.
Republican simplicity takes away every
thing plcturesque; but it cannot take away
the features and the mind of a man compe-
tent to perform high duties. The room in
which Attorney General Miller sits is hung
round with the portraits of many former
attorneys. general; but none of the painted
visages seemed to me to represent man
better suited to the srduous and important
office than is the present incumbent.
Were | to be appointed encouragement
tomorrow" said !, bv way OF defining the
situation, what routine Of work should /
have to rerform?"
"Well," said Mr.. Miller, in u full bodied
baritone of deliberate and leisurely enunci-
alton, "to put it in word the attorney
general is the lawyer for the government.
He is called upon to deliver opinions on all
matters involving legal discrimination that
secretaries, provided, in the case of secre-
taries, that they can show the matter in
question to be one which it falls within
their scope to have determined. Every sort
OF legal question ID referred to this Office
from the sources named. The state de-
partment contributes many; then there is
much from the treasury-tiscal questions:
the interior department, which includes the
patent office. gives q great number; opin-
ions have to be delivered regarding the In
dians and the land laws"
But must you. individually pass upon
all these questions?" asked. beginning
slowly to feel that | would probably de-
clino the office of attorney general should
it be rendered to me.
"Ihere are three assistants here who
write opinions" Mr.. Miller replied, looking
across at the portrait over the mantlepiece,
and PLAYING with pair of eyeglasses
in black enamel. 1.-The solicitor
,rn1o o,to oHyhA I 1ha n hnpa
is secretary In the supreme court. 1t
is not absolutely incumbent upon the
to argue cases. Mr. |
Garland, believe argued none. shall
have but eight or ten this term. Of course, |
am responsible for what is done in my |
Office
Against whom are your arguments de- |
livered2' inquired.
"Well.' said Mr.. Miller, with slight |
smile, 81 am in the opposite category to
that of the newly-landed lrishman, who you |
was agin tho government, be it
what it might, am Tor the government i'll I
| remarked that. great as the amount of |
work must. be, the sense Of responsibility |
must be even more wearing.
"Well, yes, ono does feel that; but one |
gets used to it, too, We learn to think of |
,he work itself more than OF the contingen-
,ies. good many questions come here,
ions; aud we must deal with violations of
he customs and revenue laws, which have
,een presented in the courts and appealed;
uch cases must be argued here
"ls there anything else?"
"Ies: an important function of the de-
,artment is the supervision of all the dis
rict attorneys ana marshals throughout the
United States, rs to matters of government
,olicy and rs to expenditures. Then we have
o pass on the titles of lands acquired by
he government. There have been. of late
oars, more great constitutional questions
eoided in the generals Office than
or long time previously; such, for exam
le US that in which Justice Field was con
erned some time ago"
And are records of all these judgments
ent by the Department."
"Oh, yes" said Mr.. Miller. He partly
urned in his seat, and indicated book
ase full of large, leather bound volumes.
There they are. And since | have been
ere there have been decisions enough
anded down to fill at least volumo."
rs 1t true that you exercise q supervision
Yer all prisoners in n federal court?"
Yes, on an average, there are about
5000 of such prisoners, as distinguished
rom those who are confined in state pris-
lis. We employ examiners to investigate I
he proceedings OF all officials concernea IN {
he trial and sentencing of federal prs
ners, except, OF course, the judges, who
re not subject to our supervision. Most of {