Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-12-04
THE SUPREME COURT.
Progress Made in Overcoming tie Arrees
Of Its business.


Of Its Business.
The report of the Attorney General notes the
In overcoming the Arrears OF its business and in
dispose of cases as they arise without any I'M
reasonable delay. This result h, OF course.
very largely due 70 the successful WORKING Of
the plan inaugurating circuit courts OF appeals
made in quarters entitled 10 the highest con-
each Circuit init y" would greatly strepSthsn
these courts and the conndence
a1s sSs, such an aaaian Would NOT erssse
greater force of judges than the increasing
bus. ness of such courts requires. commend
the congress. Other important topics are ad-
verted to in the report accompanied by recon.
mendations many of which have been treated
at large III previous ines ages and at this time
therefore need only be named l refer to the
abolition of the fee system n measure Of
compensation of federal officers; the enlare-
ment of the powers of United States commits
soners. at least in the territories. the allowance
OF wrIts OF error in criminal cases on behalf
OF the United States and the establishment OF
degrees in the crime of murder.
= topic dealt with by the attorney general Of
much Importance is the condition OF the ad-
ministration of justice in the Indian Territory.
The permanent solution of what is called the
indian problem is probably not to he expected
at once but meanwhile such authorizations of
present conditions the existing system will
admit of ought not to be neglected. am sat
lished for the territory with sufficient judges
and that This court should sit within the terri
rory and have the same jurisdiction as to ter:
ritorial affairs as is now vested in the federal
courts sitting In Arkansas and Texas
Union Pacific Reorganization.
Another subject of pressing moment referred
to by the attorney neral Is the reorganiza-
basis equitable as regards all private in
tere>ts as favorable TO the government
isting conditions will permit: The operation of
anomalous state of things which should lie
terminated on all grounds. public and urivate,
to enact the needed es.blnR ieasSfion At ISe
present session postpones the whole matter
until the assembling OF q new congress and in
eftn ,ss all the complications
ure e soiv; : problem Which has M
practically been before the present congress
ever since its organization.
Eight years ago IN my annual message
urged upon the congress as strongly as I could
the location and construction of two prisons
for the confinement of United States prisoners
A similar recommendation has been made from
was passed providing for the selection Of sites
for three such inst itutions. No appropriation
has however, been made TO carry
and discreditahlc condition still exists.
II is not my purpose at this time to repeat the
considerations which make an impreznable
case IN favor Of the ownership and manage
ment by the government of the penal institu-
tioas in which federal prisoners are confined
mendations on the subject and to particularly
call the attention OF the congress 20 that part Of
the report OF the secretary of war in which he
states that the military prison at Leavenworth.
Kan. can be turned over to the government as
rrisln for federal convicts without
The least difficulty. and with an actual
Pending more complete reform Ihope
that by the adoption Of the suggestion of the
sec retairy Of war tbs easy step may be taken
ia tine direction of the proper care of its con
Nlcts by the government: OF the United States.