The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1894-12-08
WHERE JUSTICE IS DISPENSED.

WHERE JUSTICE IS DISPENSED.
Federal Judges, Union Pacific Rcorgani
cation and Other Matters.
The report of the attorney general
notes the gratifying progress made by
the supreme court in overcoming the
arrears of its business and reaching a
condition in which it will be able to
dispose of the cases as they arise with
out any unreasonable delay. This re-
suit is, of course, very largely due to
the successful working Of the plan inau-
gurating circuit courts Of appeals. In re-
spect to these tribunals suggestion is
made in quarters entitled to the highest
consideration that an additional circuit
judge for each circuit would greatly
strengthen these courts and the conf
dence reposed in their adjudicationss
and that such an addition would not
create greater force Of judges than
the increasing business of such courts
requires. / commend the suggestion to
the careful consideration of congress.
Other important topics are adVerted
in the report accompanied by recon-
mendations, many of which have been
treated at large in previous messages,
and at this time, therefore, need only
be named. l refer to the abolition Of the
fee system as a measure of compensa-
ton to federal officers; the enlargement
of the powers of United States commits
sioners, at least in the territories; the
allowance of writs of error in criminal
cases on behalf of the United States,
and the establishment of penalties by
congress 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 Indian territory. The permanent so
luton of what is called the Indian
problem is probably not to be expected
at once, but meanwhile, such ameliora-
lions of present conditions as the exist
ing system will admit of ought not to
be neglected. l am satisfied that there
should be federal court established
for the territory with sufficient judges
and that this court should sit within
the territory and have the same juris-
diction 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 Pa
cific Railway Company on a basis
equitable as regards all private inter
| ests, and as favorable to the govern
ment as existing conditions will permit.
! The operation of a railway by a court
| through a receiver is an annoying state
of things which should be terminated
on grounds of public and private in
| terest at the earliest possible moment.
Besides, not to enact the needed enab-
| ling legislation at the present session
| postpones the whole matter until the
assembling of a new congress and in
evitably increases all the complications
of the situation and could not but be
! regarded as a signal failure to solve a
problem which has practically been be-
| fore the present congress ever since its
organization.
/ Eight years ago in my annual mes
sage l urged upon congress as strongly
as I could the location and construction
of two prisons for the confinement Of
United States prfTGners. A similar rec
| ommendation L s been made from
time to time since, and few years ago
law was passed providing for the Sc
lection of sites for these institutions
No appropriation has, however, been
made to carry the act into effect and the
old and discreditable condition still ex-
lists. Ii is not my purpose at this time
to repeat the considerations, which
make an impregnable case in favor OF
| ownership and management by the gov
eminent of penal institutions in which
federal prisoners arc confined. simply
desire to again urge the former recon-
mendations on the subject and to par.
ticularly call the attention of congress
to that part of the report of the secre
tary of war, in which he states that the
military prison at Fort Leavenworth
Kansas, can be turned over to the gov
eminent as a prison for federal con
victs, without the least difficulty, ant
with an actual saving of money from
every point of view. Pending a more
complete reform hope that by tn,
adoption of the suggestion of the secre
tary of war this step may be taken il
the direction of the proper care of it
convicts by the government of tn
United States.