Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1893-12-12

adds to the prolnptnesa OF mai uelvefy
at all offices, but II Is the special instru-
mentality which puts smaller and way
places in the service ON an equality In
that regard with the larger and terminal
offices. This branch OF the postal SER
vice has therefore received more atten-
ton from the postmaster-general, and
though II is gratifying to know that 1t is
in condition Of high efficiency and
great usefulness, | am led to agree
with the postmaster-general that there
is room for its further Improvements.
There are now connected with the post
office establishment 2S,324 employees
who are in the classified service. The
head of this great department gives
conclusive evidence OF the value OF civil
service reform when, after an experience
that renders his judgment on the sub
ject absolutely reliable, he expresses the
opinion that without the benefit OF this
system it would be impossible to con-
duct the vast business intrusted to him.
| desire to commend as especially
worthy of prompt attention the sugges-
tons OF the postmaster-general in rela-
ton to more sensible and business
like organization and better dstribu-
ton OF responsibility in this department.
Department OF Justice.
The report of the attorney-genera
contains the usual summary OF the
affairs and proceedings of the depart
ment of Justice for the past year, to-
gether with certain recommendations as
to needed legislation on various sub
jects. cannot too heartily indorse the
proposition that the fee system, as
Ii L. Be-, J,A t,.xs, 6
United States attorneys, marshals,
clerks of federal courts and United
States commissioners, should be abol-
ished with as little delay as possible.
1t is clearly in the interest of the COM
munity that the business of the courts,
both civil and criminal, be as small and |
as inexpensively transacted as the ends |
of justice will allow. The system is
therefore thoroughly vicious which |
makes the compensation of court Off
cials depend upon the volume Of such
business and thus creates conflict be-
tween the proper execution of the law
and private gain, which cannot fail to
be dangerous to the rights and freedom
Of citizens, and irresistible temptation
to the unjustifiable expenditure OF pub
lie funds.
DISPOSITION OF PETTY oFFENsEs.
Ii, 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 the misdemeanor, especially
hose coming under the internal revenue
avs, great advance would be made to-
ward more decent administration of
,he criminal law. In my first message
o congress, dated December s, 1885. I
strongly recommended these changes
md referred somewhat at length to the
wis OF the present system. Since that I
ime the criminal business of the federal l
ourts and the expense attending it
AVE enormously increased. The num-
yer OF criminal prosecutions pending in
he circuit and district courts on the LIST Z
lay OF July, 1885, was 1908, OF which 9
SS4 were TOR violations of the internal l
evenue laws, while the number of such L
prosecutions pending on the 1st day OF a
uly, 1898, was $500, of which 1900 were s
Or violation OF the the internal revenue v
Avs. The expense of the United States a
ourts, exclusive of judges salaries. for b
ne year ending July l, 1885, was $2,874,- II
50 l. and Tor the year ending July /, u
S35, S4,52S, 656 81. 1t is therefore an n
aren't that the reasons given in 1885 for p
change IN the manner of enforcing the II
'deral criminal laws have gained cogni ii
ance and strength by lapse OF time. n
DEGREES OF MURDER. te
also heartily join the attornev-gen- lie
al Ill recommending legislation fixing h
egrees OF the crime of murder within ia