The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-12-05
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
Recommendations of the Attorney
acknowledgements Court.

GeneraI-Supreme Court.
The report Of the attorney-general notes
the gratifying progress made by the supreme
court in overcoming the arrears in It's bus
mess. and in reaching a condition in which
1t will be able TO dispose Of cases as they
arise. without any unreasonable delay. This
result. Of course, is very largely due to the
successful working Of the plan Of inaugural
ing circuit courts Of appeals. In respect
to these tribunals. the suggestion is made
in quarters entitled to the highest consider
alton that an additional circuit Judge for
each circuit would greatly strengthen these
courts and the confidence reposed in their
adjudication, and that such an addition
would not create a greater force of judges
than the increasing business Of such courts
REQUIRES. commend the suggestion to the
careful consideration Of the congress.
Other important topics are adverted to in
the report, accompanied Dy recOmmenda-
tions, many Of which have been treated at
large in previous messages, and at this
time, therefore, need only be named. l re-
fer to the abolition Of the fee system as a
measure, of compensation TO federal Of
fcers. the enlargement Of the powers Of
United States commissioners, 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.
A topic dealt with by the attorney-gen-
eral Of much Importance is the condition Of
the administration of justice in the Indian
territory. The permanent solution Of what
is called the Indian problem is probably
not to be expected at once, but meanwhile
such ameiOratiOn Of present conditions as
the existing system will admit Of ought not
to be neglected. / am satisfied there should
be a federal court established for each ter
ritory, with sufficient judges, and that this
,-lo,711 cit mill ba fnprif0rtv nd
have the same jurisdiction as TO territorial
affairs as is now vested in the federal courts
sitting in Arkansas and Texas.
Another subject of pressing moment
referred to by the attorney general, IS
the reorganization of the Union Pacific
railroad company on a basis equit-
able, as regards all private interests and
as favorable to the government as eX-
listing conditions will permit. The opera
ton of a railroad by a court through q
receiver, is an anomalous state Of things,
which should be terminated, on all
grounds, public and private, at the earli-
est possible moment. Besides, not to
enact the needed enabling legislation at
the present session, postpOnes the whole
matter until the assembling Of the new
congress. inevitably increases all the
complications of the situation, and could
not but be regarded as signal failure TO
solve a problem which has practically been
before the present congress since its organ
iZation.
Eight years ago. in my annual message
I urged upon the congress as strongly as
I could the location and construction or
two prisons for the confinement Of
United States prisoners. A similar rec
ommendation has been made from time
to time since, and a few years ago a law
was passed providing for the selection Of
sites for three such Institutions. No ap-
propriation has, however, been made to
carry the act into effect, and the old and
discreditable condition still exists.
II is not my purpose at this time TO re-
peat the considerations which make an i'm
pregnabla case in favor Of the ownership
and management by the government Of the
penal institutions in which federal prison.
ers are confined. l simply desire to again
urge former recommendations on the sub
iect. and TO particularly call the attention
Of congress to that part of the report Of
the secretary Of war. in which he states
that the military prison at Ft Leaven-
worth. Kas., can be turned over to the gov
ernment as a prison for federal cOnvicts
without the least difficulty and with an
actual saving Of money from every point
of view Pending a more compete re-
form, / hope that by the adoption Of the
suggestion Of the secretary of war, this
easy step may be taken in the direction Of
the proper care Of its convicts by the gov
ernment of the United States.