The herald., 1893-12-05
gress, by adequate appropriations,
should provide for the uninterrupted
prosecution Of this necessary work.

|
should provide for the uninterrupted
prosecution Of this necessary work.
i s. THE MAGAZINE RIFLE.
After much preliminary work and an
exhaustive examination, in accordance
with the requirements of the law. the
board appointed to select a mapazine
rife Of modern type with which to re-
place the obsolete Springfield rifle of
the infantry service completed its labor
during the last year and the work of
manufacturing Is now in progress at the
national armory at Springfield. 1t ia
confidently expected that by the end of
the current year our infantry will be
supplied with weapon equal to that OF
the most progressive armies OF the
world.
sH PRESERVED BATTLEFfELDs.
The work on the projected Chicka.
maugs and Chattanooga national mill
tary park has been prosecuted with zeal
and judgment, and its opening will be
celebrated during the coming year. Over
nine square miles of the Chickamauga
battlefield has been acquired. 25 miles
of roadway have constructed. and per-
manent tablets have been placed at
many historical points, while the inyi-
tation to the states to mark the positions
OF their troops participating in the bat
tie has been very generally accepted.
4 iThe work of locating and preserving
the lines of battle at the Gettysburg
battlefield is making satisfactory prog
in the plans directed by the last con.
gress.
MILITARY ACADEMIES.
The reports of the Military academy at
West Point and the several schools for
special instructions of officers showed
marked advance in education of the
army and commendable ambition among
ita officers to excel in the military pro.
fesslon, and to fit themselves
for the highest service to the
country. Under the supervision
OF Adjntant Robert Williams, lately re-
tired, the bureau OF Information has be-
come we'll established and is perform
ing service that will put in possession
OF the government in time of war most
valuable information and at all times
serve purpose of great utility in keep
ing the army advised of the worlds
progress in all matters pertaining to the
art of war.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
The report of the attorney general
contains the nsual summary OF, the af.
fairs and proceedings of the department
OF justice for the past year, together
with certain recommendations as to
needed legislation on various subjects.
cannot too heartily indorse the propo-
sition that the fee system, as applicable
70 the compensation of United
states attorneys. marshals, clerks, Off
sial courts and United States commits
'ioners, should be abolished with as
little delay az possible. 1t is clearly in
the interest OF the community that the
business OF the courts, both civil and
snail be as email and as mex
,ensively transacted as the ends OF jus
ice will allow.
The system ia therefore thoroughly
'lcious which makes the com mpensstion
# court officials depend upon the vol.
lme OF such business, and thus creates
conflict between proper execution of
he law and private gain, which cannot
all to be dangerous to the rights and
reedom of the citizens, an irresistible
emptation to the unjustifable expendi-
ure of public funds.
Ii, In addition to this reform, another
Ias inaugurated which would give to
jnited States commissioners the final
lsposition OF petty offenees within the
rade OF mlsdemeanors, especially those
'Rl5nR 5R nnes5 aes5t the alaaseInal rsxsaue lsMA
riminal law.
In my fret message to congress, dated
december Sth, 1885. etronely recon-
lended these changes, and referred
,mewhat at length to the evils OF the
resent system. Since that time the
riminal business of the general courts
nd the expense attending it have
normously increased. The num-
or of criminal prosecutions now
ending in the circuit and district
)urts of the United States, and on
10 first day Of July, 1885, was 3S0S,
which 1884 were for violations of
ne internal revenue laws, while the
umber of such prosecutions pending
n the first day of July, 1898, 4200, all
which were for violation of the in
'rnal revenue laws.
The expense of the United States court.
xclusive of judges salaries, for the year
nding July 1, 1885, was $2,S74, 733.1i.
nd for the year ending July /, 1898.
1928, ,656.87. 1t is therefore apparent
,at the reasons given in 1856 fora
nange in the manner of enforcing the
deral criminal law have gained cogency
nd strength by-lapse oil time.
| also heartily join the attorney gem
raj in recommending legislation fixing
egrees OF the crime OF murder within
deral jurisdiction, as has beenidone in
lany OF the states, authorizing writa of
-ror on behalf of the government in
sses where final Judgment is rendered
yainst the sufficency OF an Indictment
against the government upon any
her question arising before actual
ial, limiting the right of review in
ssee of felony, punishable only by fine
nd imprisonment, to the circuit court
appeals, and making speedy pro-
sion for the construction of such
risons and reformatories as may be
ecessary for the confinement OF United
tates convicte.
PosToFFICE DEPARTMENT.
The report OF the acknowledgements
,ntains a detailed statement of tho
oerations Of the postofiice department.
uring the last fiscal year, and much
lteresting information touching this
q nportant branch OF the public service.
he business OF the malls indicates with
bsolute certainty the condition of the
usiness OF the country and depression
financial affairs inevitably and quick
reduces the postal revenues. There
ire a larger discrepancy than usual be-
Ween the postoffice receipts and expen-
itures is the expected and unavoidable