New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-14
enrolment and full vote: This Is the question
for Republicans TO answer?
PROVISION FOR FEDERAL COURTS.

PRObjSlON TOh FEDERHL COCHIS.
It is gratifying to learn that an organized
effort is to be made to secure from the next
Congress proper provision for the conduct OF
the United States District and Circuit courts.
The measure which. 1t Is reported, Is being
prepared for introduction at the coming session
by Judge Coke Of the Northern District, VIII
provide for official stcnographers, more oailins
and new system Of supplying funds FOR the
courts, so as to make 1t possible for business
to be transacted conveniently and with the dig-
nifty BETTING the Government of the Cniteu
States These courts almost the only mani
festation Of Federal power and authority KNOWN
in many parts Of the country and but for them
the Government might pass for functionary
which merely distributed letters and collected
tax on cigars. They try a great number OF
important cases. Yet while the State courts
beside them have every aid in making them
selves respected and efficient, the Federal courts
have been crippled almost beyond the point OF
endurance.
This has been due partly to neglect and the
failure of Congress to recognize the growing
importance of these tribunals, which makes
the provisions which were ample years ago en-
trely inadequate now, and partly to some re-
cent experiments in economy" The first
Cleveland Administration cut down the num-
Der Of bailiffs in the District courts from five
TO three, and the result has been, when several
| juries have been celebrating at once that the
courts have been left without doorkeepers or
attendants. Prisoners have escaped for lack OF
officers to guard them, and case Is recorded
! Of a prisoner leaving the box and going to visit
| the Judge on the bench, because there was no
officer in court to restrain him. Then last year
the Attorney Generals office made estimates
entirely too small, and one Of the courts had
to 90 out of business and discharge the pris-
oners in custody awaiting trial because it had
no money to go on with But even before these
| latest embarrassments the condition OF the
courts was bad enough No provision for Off
| cial stenographcrs is made by law and the
| courts have no record Of testimony taken Defore
them except it be laboriously and slowly taken
| down in longhand, or they by chance receive
copies OF minutes taken by private arrangement
| Of suitors who may wish them for their own use
Neither is any provision made for meals OF
jurors engaged in the trial of cases and neither
Judge nor clerk can get so much as a package
of seals without an elaborate process or requisi-
ton on the Washington authorities.
The United States District courts should De
placed on a footing Of equality with our State
| Supreme Court in their dignity and facilities
In one of the interior counties OF newborn
thirteen constables are not considered too many
for the Supreme Court, and the demand FOR SIX
or seven officers In each of the Federal courts
does not seem excessive. Certainly every one
of these courts should have facilities for making
an official verbatim record Of It's proceedings
Nor is there any reason for continuing the OLD,
cumbrous method Of petty supervision over ex-
penditures and the habit of depending upon the
| temper of each Congress and the nDeralty Oh
| every Attorncy-' General in the matter OF est-
| mates for the means wherewith to administer
Federal Justice The Judges and marshals are
| quite capable of handling the moderate amounts
| necessary for the courts honestly and of ac
| counting for them properly, and in small ex-
penditures they should have at least such dis
erection as atty business iildh would allow his
| trusted suBorirnates If they may hot so be
trusted then they are unfit for their places and
| Justice might better not be administered than
| ntrllsted to such hands. Permanent appropria-
| lions for the maintenance Of these courts based
| ON q liberal estimate Of their needs would add
| materially to their usefulness, and do away with
| the shame of having courts unable to perform
| their functions because a careless Government
| provides no funds.