The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-19
TO FIT NEELY's CASE.
The Attorney General Drafts am
Submits a Bill to .COnErcss.

! The Attorney General Drafts and
Submits a Bill to Congress.
The House Committee on the Judiciary
! yesterday took up the question of pro-
viding a law to cover offences Of char
acter similar to those charged against
Nelly. and others in the postal service in
Cuba. in order that they and others i'm
pIicated may be extradited. -rs''
Attorney General Griggs sent the fol-
lowing letter TO Representa- We Ray,
Chairman of the committee, accompanied
by q draft of q bill
Recent offences of criminal nature
! committed by an employe OF the postal
service in Cuba. who has fled from justice
there and taken refuge in the United
States, make II my duty to call your at
tention to the fact that the application of
the present extradition laws of the United
States to such cases is in a condition of
doubt and uncertainty, which make 1t
embarrassing to- the Department of
Justice to secure the prompt return of
such offenders to the Jurisdiction in
which the crime is committed and in
which they should be tried.
1T is obvious that the laws of the
United States ought to provide sure and
speedy return Of fugitives from justice
who fee from Cuba and seek refuge in
the United States. / have drafted an act
which will make the course of procedure
in such matters, sure and certain. and
respectfully ask that il be considered by
your committee, and. IL found -expedient.
that it be introduced and passed as
speedily as possible"
The bill drafted by Mr.. Griggs is as
follows:
Be it enacted. ETC., That sections $40. 527l j2.2
5213, and 527i OF the Revised Statutes ana all
other statutes Of the United States concerning
cxtradition TO foreign countries, in pursuance OF
treaties shall apply to and govern eNtradition
to the Island of Cuba while occupied by the
United States and during the continuance OF the
government established and maintained in said
island by the United States, in the same manner
and to the effect though Cuba were
country with which treaty existed STIMULATING
and providing for extradition in the case Of all
feonies and other crimes, past and future. against
the penal code or the laws in force in the Island
OF Cuba, and in the same manner if the
Governor other chief officer Of Cuba were the
head of an Independent government thereof.
Section THAT every person who knowingly
and wilfully obstructs. resists. or opposes any
agent, person, or officer who has a prisoner in
custody under the provisions OF the foregoing
section in the execution OF his duties. or who
rescues or attempts TO rescue such prisoner whilst
in custody as aforesaid, shall be punished by
fine of not more than $1,000 and by imprisonment
for not more than one year.
Section 2-Thdt the provisions OF sections 52Is
and 500 OF the Revised Statutes Of the United
States shill apply TO rendition Of fugitvos from
justice between the several States and Territories
of the United States and the several Islands be
longing 10 the United States by virtue of the
Treaty of Paris ratified by the Senat, of the
United States on the 9th day of February, 1899.
A subcommittee consisting OF Repre-
sentatives Ray. Jenkins. Littlefeld. De
Almond and Clayton. was appointed to
consider the matter The Subcommittee
will meet today.
After the meeting of the committee Mr..
Ray introduced in the House the follow
Ng:
Be 1t enacted, etc. That taction 800 of the
Revised Statutes is hereby amended by adding
thereto the following proviso:
Provided that whenever any foreign country or
territory any part thereof is under the control
or temporary government OF the United States and
the United States by act of Congress or through
its military power otherwise has established
or authorized governmental control over the same.
in whole or in part. any citizen OF the United
States appointed TO any place, position, or Office
in the control or government of such foreign
territory country or any part thereof by au-
tborty OF the United States or any Of its officers
or departments any other person. who shall
offend against the criminal laws, orders. rules,
regulations lawfully established by the United
States or its officers os any department thereof
for the control or government OF such foreign
country or territory or against the criminal laws
recognized by the United States. its officers and
departments as in force in said foreign country
or territory, and depart or fee thercfrom to the
United Statcs and he found therein. shall be
rendered to the authorities CT the United States
and returned and surrendered to the authorities
in control Of such foreign country territory
for trial under the laws recognized and in force
in the place where such crime committed.
All the provisions Of sections $40 to 5277 of this
title are made applicable TO the arrest, holding.
and surrender of offenders referred to in this
provision.