The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-22
VIRGINIA CONGRESSMAN.
MR.. .sWANsON sPEIks ron THE dBO-
LITION OF FEES IN q. ). COURTS.
MIR. Tyler Wants Cape Charles Fortified.
Pilots Before the Committee ON
Marine Fisheries.


i'm trivial suits and prosecution which re-
suit in nothing but an unnecessary eN-
penditure of money.
In this connection Mir. Swanson pro-
duced some interesting statistics. COM
piled from the rccorQs OF the courts,
showing how, much money is wasted IN
this manner every year. The figures were
particularly interesting, because the
greater portion of the appropriation car
ried by the bill Is 10 pay deficiencies on
account OF the United States courts.
Mr.. Swanson showed that yast year
there were terminated in the united
States courts of the country 29A9 such
cases of which lO521 were nolle pressed,
dismissed, discontinued. or decided IN
faNOr OF the defendant. There were also
2,75l civil suits, I'm which the United
States was party, Of which 40 per cent.
were either dismissed or decided against
the Government.
There was spent during the year for
United States marshals 35ebiOol; for
jurors, 1892 1902; for witnesses, N,d3-
1927; for commissioners, <i25, ,So"9y for
clerks fees, S29S ,96lI2, and for district
slttorneys 1927. 1861. making an aggre-
gate OF over S,20OoO.
UNNECESSARY EXPENSE.
Mr.. Swanson proceeded to show that
over half of this expense was unneccs-
sary, and was paid out In fees In such
cases as should never have been brought
He showed further that over ~ per cent.
the most frivolous character and such
as should not have been instituted upon
the fmsy evidence produced. Ihis ~
per cent. include only cases IN which
juries preferred indictments. and not the
vast number OF cases which the commits
siOncrs refused to send 10 the kfahu
Juries or those which grand luries ignored
Had these cases been included IN the
figures IL would be shown, Mt swanson
said that over half the expenses or the
courts were caused by the institution OF
trivial suits. All the Government realized
for the vast outlay of money was Sl"-,-
OJO. SO from fines fOrfetures, ana penal
ties. and S3T .o47 ~ received I'm the com
promise of such. Mr.. swanson maue
these figures the basis Of a strong argu-
ment against the Zee system and IN FAVOR
OF the passage OF the bin he has intro
duccd to make all Federal officers
salaried
PILOTS FEES.
The Committee on Merchant Marine an
Fisheries Of the House gave "A hearing To-
day to persons interested IN the on
exemDting American coastwse sailing
vessels pilOted by their masters or by
United States pilot. from the obligations
10 pay state pilots Tor services NOT re-
ported. Captain Robert y. smith OF ba-
iimorc. representing the vessel-owncrs OF
that city. made strong argument III
favor Of the bill.
Representatives Of the State Pilots As
soCiatiOn Of Virginia were present IN oD-
quest the hearing was continued untn
other pilot associations can be repre-
sented AS the law Is AT present, tne
master OF a vessel may be thoroughly
familiar with narbor ana ca9apie oi
taking his vessel IN and out, nut even
AZ he disDenses with the services OF a
pilot he Is compelled to pay the fiots
Association of whatever state ne ma
be in the fixed Tees Tor performing t"e
work .
The vessel-owners Of the entire coun-
try have been endeavorug for "A number
Of years to have the law changed, bns
have been unsuccessful, the pilots OF
the country naturally opposing any
REPRESENTATIVE Tyler introduced bin
to-day apprOpriating S1,WoWn TO begin
the work of fortifying Cape Henry, and
also "A bill TO remove the disabilities OF
veterans of the Mexican war VINO served
also i'm the Confederate army.
EXAGGERATED MONROE DOCTRINE
The resolution reported TO the Senate
Yesterday by the Committee on Foreign
Relations. is such an absurd exaggera-
ton OF the Monroe doctrine ana the
proper American policy that its defeat Is
already thought to be assured. The
members of the committee themselves
the resolution shown by members on
the resolution shown by incumbers on
both sides Of the chamber. and have de-
cided not to press for action. Ihe reso-
luton is 80 unnecessary ana so lll-ilmeu,
being severely criticised for its action.
IL is certain TO embarrass the Admins
tratiOn I'm it's negotiations with Great brl-
tain regarding the Venezuelan matter
and descedets the Venezuelan commits
sion as well as the combined action OF
the President and Congress, I'm calling
the commission into eXistance. There
seems to be little likelihood that the reso-
luton can pass the Senate, but If II
should, IL Is believed to De certain Of
defeat I'm the House. Equally ill-timed in
the opinion of conservative men Is the
talk Of recognizing the Cuban insur-
gents The insurgents have not yet. In
the opinion OF the older senator's, cstab-
lished themselves i'm any part Of Cuba. In
a manner 10 warrant the proposed action
OF this country. They have neither gov
ernment. nor a capital. and have not
demonstrated their ability 10 enforce any
form Of law In the portions of the island
over which they have absolute control.
The neutrality laws viii prevent this
country from rendering any assistance
10 the Cuhaus, and IL is doubtful Il the
mere granting Of belligerant rights would
aid them, while the action would DO
American interests incalculabe harm by
relieving Spain Of responsibility for
American property.
MUST GO TO THE PRESIDENT.
The passage OF q resolution providing
for the recognition of cuba would amount
TO nothing more than a request from
Congress TO the President. The recogni-
ton must come through the executive
action of the President. and il IS doubt
ful II Mr.. Cleveland would be moved by
the action of Congress any sooner than
he would by the general expression OF
sympathy, which has already come from
the people of this country.
The Administration. ii is understood,
does not consider the question one To be
determined merely by sentiment. There
are grave questions involved, which un-
thinking people do not understand, and
which might involve grave consequences.
Ii Is being commented upon that Con
gress has on former occasions attempted
to pass resolutions defining the Monroe
doctrine and has failed In each instance
The doctrine has been accepted as the
determined policy OF this country by sue.
cessive Congresses, but none has con
sidered IT necessary 10 20 further than
the position already taken.
SENATOR DANIELS SPEECH.
A good deal Of interest IS felt in rho
speech which Senator Daniel will deliver
on the subject. and an eloquent effort Is
anticipated
men in charge OF the silver substitute
for the House bond bill not to secure a
vote in the Senate until the Utah senators
are elected. This indicates a lack OF
confidence in their stregth. strangely at
variance with their boastful claims
They assert that they can pass the bill
AT any time, but they are so little certain
OF this that they are afraid TO attempt il
until they can command the two votes
from Utah.
The tariff bill seems to have been lost
sight of, and IL is now probable the bill
may die in committee.
The Senate will be forced in few days
to begin the consideration OF appropria-
tion bills. and when these measures are
taken up the tariff bill is likely to 20