Semi=weekly graphic., 1896-12-12
ATToRNsY esNeaALls RseoRr.
commsnds the salary system and Wants
 some ghanaes In Iars.

Comments tne salary systein and Wants
 some Changes In Laws
 WAsluSeroa. Dec iI.-Attorney General Harmon in his annual report to congress expresses his satisfaction at results. so far IS obtained Of the new salary system, which displaced the old fee system on July D. of the present year Returns, he says, afford striking evidence of the wisdom of a course so long advocated. which removes public service from some common temptations to extrayaganee and abuse. \ very large reduction is shown in every one of the items which would naturally be affected by the fee system Fees for United States marshals will show re- duction for the year of about S400,000 from those of previous years. Other reductions Will be made, approximates as follows: Fees of jurors, st25. .306 fees of witnesses, $s07, ,o78; pay of bail ifs, $94,420; salaries and expenses of district attorneys. Sl92,049. Report shows although there was an increase during the year ef 50 in ne number of cases dooketod by the United States supreme court, there was all increase of 83 in number disposed of.
 The docllets at the close of terms show q decrease of 10T cases. At the end of the October terms, 1so4, there remained undisposed of 674 cases. The n9a5cf Of Cases OH the docket at the October term was 1883 Of this num- Der 494 were disposed of during the De- tober term, 1895, 4S9 were in the appel late and five on the original docket. The number of cases actually considered by the court was 354
 The attorney general points out two defects ill the criminal laws, to which the attention of congress is invited. The first, he says, is unnecessary. and is an unfortunate confusion of our criminal legislation Provisions are constantly enacted to meet special cases aud the consequence Is it Is often difficult to ascertain which of two or more laws are applicable to the case III hand. Cases arise which ought to be covered by laws, but there are none, and the same of fense is visited with various degrees of punishment, not determined by any diff ference in oriminality, but merely by the fact that various statutes relating to specific instances of the offeuse are drafted by different men and passed at different times. The attorney general thinks Q new crimes act should be passed as speedily as possible which should contain provisions simple, easily understood and general in its scope covering such crimes agalnst the United States government that uniform sys- tenn of punishmeats would thus be pro- vided; and that as to cases arising in future, the present laws relating to these crimes should be repealed. This work could be easily and quickly per. formed DY a commission.
 The second defect Is the unfortunate results of the present law governing writs of error to the supreme court in criminal eases. The questions raised in these criminal cases for the most part are comparatively trivial and not of general importance. He thinks that transfer of criminal appeals to the circuit court of appeals with the present system permitting Important questions to De presented to the supreme court by cer- i7 highly desirable 4 re- view of the cases before the United States court can then be made.
 On the subject of the antitrust law the attorney general says
 ''The restricted scope of provisions in this law, as they have been construed by the courts, especially in the case of the United States Ys. E. c Knight com pany. makes an amendment necessary if any effective action is expected from this department Besides, the fund at the disposal of the attorney general which can be applied to investigation and prosecution of the cas under this law. is wholly inadequate /"