Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-12-03
THE LAW OFFICER
Attorney General Knox's Annual Re-
port Submitted.
new DEPARTMENT BUILDIN G
Work of the Commission to
Codify Penal Laws.
BETTER SALARIES ASKED

Attorney General Knox's annual report
to Congress shows that there was an in
crease of thirty-one cases docketed during
the year 1900 on the United States Supreme
Court appellate docket and decrease Of
three In the number disposed of, leaving
1856 remaining on the docket at the close of
the calendar year. The number Of cases
actually considered by the court was 1858,
of which 179 were argued orally and 152
submitted by printed briefs. OF the 1858
appellate cases disposed of 1872 were af-
firmed, 81 reversed, 81 dismissed, "a set
tied by the parties; certified questions were
answered in 8, and 80 were denials Of writs
of certiorari under the act of March 3, 1S9
The United States was party to seventy
five of the cases disposed Of during the
year, fifteen Of them being criminal.
New Department of Justice.
The Attorney General refers to the re-
quest Of his predecessor for an additional
appropriation for the proposed new build
ing for the Department of Justice and adds:
mo building should be constructed ex-
cept such as will meet the just expecta-
lions not only of the present but of future
generations. The building should be worthy
of the purpose to which it is to be devoted
and of the government whose dignity 1t
in part represents. In this connection due
regard should be had to the general plan
for the adornment Of Washington, which
is now under consideration by a competent
commission. Washington has become city
not only OF cosmopolitan dignity, but of ex-
cepttonal beauty, and no building should
be so constructed or located as to mar the
symmetry of it's development.
III 1t be deemed inexpedient to make
such additional appropriation for the pur-
poses Of this department only, then sug-
gest that building might be constructed
which would not merely accommodate the
executive offices Of the Department Of JUS
tlce but would also make suitable pro-
vision for the Court of Claims and other
oodies whose work is affiliated with that
OF this department.
United States Prisoners.
On July 1, 1900. there were 1882 United
states convicts in the Various prisons and
reformatories Of the country. At the close
were 5000. - % too'a3
OF the total number in confinement June
30. 1901. 800 weres7in the United States
penitentlary at F0st Lfavenworth, Kan,
ana W IN the prison at Mcneil Island,
washington The remathder, 2,127 were in
purpose.
The Attorney Generals says that an addi-
tlon Is needed to the federal building In
iabar which might bs erected by prison
MI. Knox urges new system Of commu-
tallon OF sentences for federal prisoners
Inc Attorney General says the District
1al is well conducted, and ranks among
the best In the countrysr
Codify Criminal and Penal Laws.
me commission to revise and codify the
criminal and penal laws of the United
states has reported a project for penal
code. This embraces the penal provisions
OF existing law which could be separated
from their context without impairing their
significance or efficacy. and also a COM
plete code for the punishment of crimes
committed upon places within the exclusive
jurisdiction OF the United States "A draft
or the work reported by the commission
mas been submitted to the heads of depart
ments and the judges and attorneys of the
United States for examination and correc-
ton, and dnigent efforts have been expend-
ed TO make It supply the need of compre-
hensive and efficient system Of provisions
for the definition and punishment Of Of
States. -,
In pursuance Of q provision In the sun
dry civil act Of March 8. 1899, the commits
sion also: submits q. revision and codifica-
'A@- a the statutes rela ting to the organi-