The record-union., 1894-12-04
GENERAL SCHOFIELD.
Department OF Justice.


Department of Justice.
The report of the Attorney General
notes the gratifying progress made by
the supreme Court in overcoming the
arrears of its business and in reaching q
condition in which it will be able 10 dis
pose OF cases as they arise without any
unreasonable delay. This result is, of
course, very largely due to the success
ful working of the plan inaugurating Cir
cult Courts of Appeals. In respect to
these tribunals a suggestion is made, in
quarters entitled to the highest cousid-
Grafton, that an additional Circuit Judge
for each circuit would greatly strengthen
these courts and the confidence reDosed
in their adjudications, and that such an
addition would not create greater force
of Judges than the increasing business of
such courts require. L commend the
suggestion to the careful consideration OF
the congress.
Other important topics are adverted to
in the report, accompanied by commenda-
tions which have been treated at large
in previous messages, and at this time,
therefore, need only be named. [ refer
to the abolition of the fec system as a
measure of compensation of Federal Off
GERS; the enlargement Of the powers of
United States Commissioners, at least in
the Territories; the allowance of writs of
6ETOT III CIlllllIldI ChS65 Oh DendlI Oh IDe
United States, and the establishment of
degrees in the crime Of murder.
a topic dealt with by the Attorney
General of much importance is the con-
dition 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 ame.iorations
of present conditions as the existing sys-
tenn will admit OF ought not to be ne
elected. l am satisfied there should be a
Federal Court established for the Terri
tory with sufficient Judges, and that this
court should sit within the Territory and
have the same jurisdiction as to Terri
torial affairs as is now vested in the
Federal Courts situated in Texas and
Arkansas.
UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD.
Another subject of pressing moment
referred to by the Attorney General is the
reorganization OF the Union Pacific Rail-
way Company on a basis equitable as re-
CARDS all private interests, and as favor
able to the Government as existing con-
ditions will permit. The operation OF a
railroad by court through a receiver is
an anomalous state of things, which
should be terminated, on all grounds,
public and private, at The earliest poSsi BILE
moment. Besides, not to enact the needed
enabling legislation at the present session
poStpOneS the whole matter until the as
sembling of a new Congress, and inev-
| itably increases all the complications, and
could not but be regarded as a signal fail
ure to solve a problem which has practi-
cally been before the present Congress
ever since its organization.
NEED OF GOVERNMENT PRISONS.
Eight years ago, in my annual message.
L urged upon Congress as strongly as |
could the location and construction of Cwo
! prisons for the confinement of United
States prisoners. A similar recommended
ton has been made from time to time
since, and few years ago a law was
| passed providing for the selection of sites
| has, however, been made to carry the Act
| into effect, and the old and discreditable
condition still exists.
| 1t is not my purpose at this time to re-
| port the consideration which make an inn
| pregnable case in favor of the ownership
| and management by the Government OF
the penal institutions in which Federal
! prisoners are confined l simply desire
| to again urge former recommendation on
the subject, and to particularly call the at
tention of Congress to that part of the re-
| port of the Secretary of War in which he
states that the military prison at Fort
LeaVenworth, Kansas, can be turned over
to the Government as prison for Federal
| convicts without the least difficulty, and
with an actual saving of money from
| every point of view. Pending complete
reform, hope that by the adoption of
the suggestion of the Secretary OF War
this easy step may be taken in the direc-
| ton of the proper care of its conVictS by
| the Government of the United States