Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-04

miles Of the Chickamauga battle field have
been acquired. twenty-five miles of roadway
have been constructed and permanent tab
lets have been placed at many historical
points. while the invitation to the states to
mark the positions Of their troops partic-
ipating in the battle has been very gener-
ally accepted.
The work Of locating and preserving the
lines of battle at the Gettysburg battle
field is making satisfactory progress on the
plans directed by the last Congress.
The reports Of the Military Academy at
West Point and the several schools for
special instruction Of officers, show mark ed
advance in the education Of the army and
q commendable ambition among its officers
to excel In the military profession and to
fit themselves for the highest service to
the country.
Under the supervision Of Adjt Gen. Rob-
ert Williams. lately retired. the bureau Of
military Information has become well estab-
lished. and IS performing a 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 keeping the army advised Of the worlds
progress in all matters pertaining to the art
of war.
The report Of the Attorney General con-
tains the usual summary Of the affairs 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 proposition that the fee system
| as applicable to the compensation of United
States attorneys. marshals, clerks .of fed
eral courts and United States commission
ers. should be abolished with as little de-
lay as possible. 1t is clearly In the interest
Of the community that the business of the
courts. both civil and criminal, shall be as
small and as inexpensively transacted as
the ends Of Justice will allow.
The system is therefore thoroughly vi
ctous which makes the compensation of
court officials depend upon the volume of
such business and thus creates a conflict
between proper execution Of the law and
private GAIN which can not fail to be dam
gerous to the rights and freedom Of the
citizen and an irresistible temptation to the
unjustifiable expenditure Of public funds.
If in addition to this reform another was
inaugurated which would give to United
States commissioners the final disposition
Of petty offenses within the grade OF mis-
demeanors, especially those coming under
the internal revenue laws, a great advance
would be made toward a more decent ad-
ministration Of the criminal law.
In my first message to Congress. dated
December 8. 1885, strongly recommended
these changes and referred somewhat at
length to the evils of the present system.
Since that time the criminal business OF
the Federal courts and the expense attend
Ing 1t have enormously increased. The
number Of criminal prosecutions pending
in the circuit and district courts of the
United States on the first day OF July. 1883.
was three thousand eight hundred and
eight of which one thousand eight hundred
and eighty-four were for violations OF the
internal-revenue laws. while the number OF
such prosecutions pending on the first day
Of July. 1893. was nine thousand five hun
dred. Of which four thousand two hundred
were for violations Of the internal-revenue
laws. The expense OF the United States
courts. exclusive OF judges salaries for the
year ending July l. 1856. was s.. s74, 1873 IL.
and for the year ending July 1. 1888. Si.52S.-
676.S7.
1t Is therefore apparent that the reasons
given in 1855 for a change in the manner
of enforcing the Federal criminal law. have
gained cogency and strength by lapse OF
time.
I also heartily Join the Attorney-General
In recommending legislation fixing degrees
OF the crime of murder within Federal ju-
risdiction. as has been done in many Of the
States; authorizing writs OF error on behalf
Of the Government in cases where final
judgment is rendered against the sufficiency
of an Indictment or against the Government
upon any other question arising before &C
tual trial; limiting the right Of review IN
cases of felony punishable only by fine and
Imprisonment to the circuit court Of ap-
peals and making speedy provision for the
construction of such prisons and reforma-
tories as may be necessary for the confine-
ment Of United States convicts.
The Postal Service.
The report Of the stmaster-General con-
tains q detailed statement Of the operations
Of the Post-Ofice Department during the
last fiscal year and much Interesting IN
formation touching this important branch
Of the public service.
The business Of the mails indicates with
absolute certainty the condition Of the bust
ness Of the country. and depression in finan-
cial affairs inevitably and quickly reduces
the postal revenues Therefore a larger
discrepancy than usual between the post
Office receipts and expenditures is the ex-
pected and unavoidable result of the dis
throughout the country during much of
the time covered by the Postmaster Gen
erals report At a date when better times
were anticipated It was estimated by his
predecessor that the deficiency on the Both
day of June, 1898, would be but a little over
a million and a half dollars. 1t amounted,
however, to more than five millions. At the
same time. and under the influence of like
anticipations. estimates were made for the
current fiscal year ending June 80, 1884,
which exhibited surplus of revenue over
expenditures Of $S72. 245.71. but now, in view
Of the actual receipts and expendi-
lures during that part Of the cur
rent fiscal year already expired, the pres
ent Postmaster-General estimates that at
its close instead of a surplus there will be
deficiency Of nearly eight million dollars
The post-office receipts for the last fiscal
year amounted to SIS, 500, 1913. 10 and its ex-
penditures to SS1,O1i. 1O4.9O. This post-office
deficiency would disappear or be immensely
decreased If less matter was carried free
through the mails. an item Of which is up
ward Of three hundred tons of seeds and
grain from the Agricultural Department.
The total number of post-ofiices in the
United States on the Both day of June, 1888
was g. 403. an increase of 1,2S4 over the
preceding wear of thesa 2f.O mora praci-