The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-12-11
CRIMINAL LEGISLATION
Attorney General Harmon Says Some
Sweeping Reforms Are Necessary.

Washington, December i0.--Attorney
General Harmon in his annual report
says further defects in the criminal laws
have been discovered during the past
year. Criminal legislation is hepslessiy
confused. There ia general statute
furnishing bezzlement, but there are
many special statutes furnishing en-
b.zzlement In particular cases. He is not
aware that it has yet been settled what
the general statute applies to such cases.
I here are statutes Furnishing frauds III
the United States in many specific oases.
I'll ere is general statute furnishing con-
spiracy to defraua the United States III
all cases, there is no general statuSe
punisaing frauds against the Uniteh
Strtes when committed by one man
alone,
go think. - says tie Attorney General,
'that new crimes account should be
published rs speedily as poss't IL which
should contain provisions simple, easily
understood and general in scope, cover
ing such crimes as those above stated; 4
uniform system of punshmsn.s should tie
provided, as to casea arising In future
and the present laws relating to these
crimes shuuld be repealed. Ibis work
mission. Increasing repu2nance ON the
part of juries to infiict the deith penalty
in connection With the fact that the law
makes no degree in murder, constantly
| leads to the entire acquittal OF the FER
sons charged with capital crimes.
| This danger to society can he at least
| mitigatsd by the establishment by
statute CT different Gearaos of murder.
| with corresponding appropriate grades OF
! punishment. Juries will net then De
confronted with the alternative OF verdict
which carries the death penalty or "a
verdict of acuuittnl in cases where they
think the accused guilty Of murder, Dut
not deserving of extronle punishment.
HKnowing that Congress ct its last
session had uniler consideration bill to
regulate the landing OF foreign cahles
and believing that general sentiment
| favors the exclusion Of the companies or
| ganized in countries which refuse ike
privileges to American companies, ldeem
| it my duty to direct q suit throughout In
the southern district of New York TO en-
Join the consRInmGtion of the plan pro-
| posed My chief design wns to afford
| Congress an opportunity to act upon the
matter before this cable ahould be laia.
Application for restraining order was
| filed, but on the showing which the
government was able to make in the brief
time, 1t had to procure evidence, the
motion was denied. The case is pending
and will be shortly heard.
81 respectfully suggest for the cnn-
sideration of Congress whether it would
| not be wise to give authority to some ex-
ecutive officer to grant or withhold con-
| cent to entry to such foreign enterpri ses
| into this country on such terms and con-
ditions as may be fixed by law.
| The existence of any executive Ruthori-
| ty over the subject Mt present is involved
| in doubt court in which a suit WAS
brought appeared somewhat doubtful as
to judiciul authority in the matter. The
companies defendant TO the suit are La
| Com paQnie Franchise Des Gables Tele-
craphiques, United States and Haiti
| Telegraph and Cable company and tho
United States and Haiti Cable company.
Their lines, commencing in France, in
| tended tn reach this country via South
A mefica and Haiti in both of which,
and possibly also in France, 4 I am adj
vised they have privileges which are ex-
elusive, at least as to American COM
| NAMES,