The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-05-19
GRIGGs' ACT FOR ExTRADITIoN."
He Asks That it be Passed at One. The Nicely
Case Complicated
(By Associated Press.)

Washington, May 1S.-In accordance
with the request of Attorney General
Griggs the Judiciary Committee of the
House of Representatives today consider
ed means of dealing with the Neely case
and like offenses arising in Cuba. The
need of action was explained by the At
tCrney General in a letter to Chairman
Ray of the committee in which he said:
Recent offences Of criminal nature
committed by an employe of the postal
service in Cuba who has fled from justice
the present eXtradition laws of the United
States make it my duty to call your at
tention to the fact that the application OF
the present eXradition laws of the United
States to such cases is in a condition Of
doubt and uncertainty which makes it
embarrassing to the Department of JUS
tice to secure the prompt return of such
offenders to the jurisdiction in which the
crime is committed and in which they
should be tried.
lit is obvious that the laws of the Uni
ted States ought to provide a sure and
speedy return of fugitives from Justice
who flee from Cuba and seek refuge in
the United States. l have drafted an act
which will make the course Of procedure
in such matters sure and certain. and
| respectfully ask that it be considered by
your committee and if found eXpedient
that it be introduced and passed as
speedily as possible"
The Attorney Generals bill is entitled
IAN Act for Extradition and Rendition
of Certain Cases." and provides:
Section /. That sections 5270, 5271, 5272,
5273 and 5274 of the Revised Statutes and
all other statutes Of the United States
concerning eXtradition to foreign coun-
tries. in pursuance of treaties, shall ap-
ply to and govern eXtradition to the is
land 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 same effect as
though Cuba were a country with which a
treaty existed stipulating and providing
for extradition in the case of all felones
and all other crimes, past and future,
against the penal code or the laws in force
on the island of Cuba, and in the same
manner as if the governor or other chief
officer of Cuba were the head of an inde
pendent government thereof.
Section 2. That every person who
knowingly and wilfully obstructs resists
or opposes any agent, person or officer
who has a prisoner in custody under the
provision of the foregoing section, in the
execution of his duties or who rescues
or attempts to rescue such person whilst
in custody as aforesaid, shall be punish
cd by fine Of not more than 81 900 and
by Imprisonment for not more than one
year"
A third section applies to sections 527S
and 1919 of the Revised Statutes to the
rendition of fugitives between the States
and Territories and the islands in the pos
session of the United Sos under the
treaty of Paris.
The view was general in the committee
that the situation in Cuba was the most
extraordinary and complicated as Spain
had relinquished sovereignty, the United
States had not assumed sovereignty and
Cuba had not organized a sovereign gov
ernment.
1t was finally determined to secure CO.
operation with the Senate and the eXccu-
tive branch of the Government and a sub
committee was appointed to confer with
the other branches and report next Tues
day.
The committee considered at length the
Attorney Generals bill and also one sub
sequently introduced in the House by
Chairman Ray, having but one section
and providing for the surrendering of Of
Tending officials of Cuba when fleeing to
the United States.