Evening Star Newspaper, December 6, 1897, Page 17

_THE EVENING STAR, MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1897-18 PAGES. HANDS FULL OF WORK House District Committee Will Have a Busy Session. PERSONNEL OF [tS MEMBERSHIP Selected With Great Care for Their Peculiar Fitness. GLANCE AT THEIR RECORDS ee This session ef Congress will be a busy one for the House committee on the Dis- trict cf Columbia. A large amount of legis- lation of importance to the national cap- ital is to be enacted by Congress, «ud some laws are to be placed upon the statute books that will require the efforts of able men in their inception and preparation, and will reflect credit upon them when the work is accomplished. Speaker Reed, realizing the importance of the work before the committee, has chosen its members with a view to their especial fitness for the labors that will dévolve upon them. A glance at the records of the men who compose the committee may be of in- terest to those who feel a concern in Dis- trict legislation. General satisfaction was felt throughout the District at the selection of Mr. Babcock of Wisconsin as chairman of the Disirict committee for another term. Mr. Bab- cock’s distinguished services as chairman of the committee in the past are too well remembered by the readers of The Star to need de ied comment at this time, for it Chairman Babcock. is well known that while sided over the committe legislation was en: the history of th . Babcock pre- more District sted than ever before in ommittee. There was a time last year when !t was doubtfal whether Mr. Babcock would be willing to resume the onerous duties that devolve up. on the chairman of this committee, but when this fact became known pressure w: brought to bear upon him from every side to induce him to continue his good work, and it was to such an extent that he could not ignore it. The goed business sense manifested by Mr. Babcock in his consid- eration of District measures, his skillful Mayagement of bills u House. and the tact he displayed to overcome judgment which factious opposi- tion, were recognized n every hand as reasons why the District committee was so successful In its work of the last Congress. Gen. A. C. Harmer. General Harmer of Pennsylvania has een in the House since the Forty-second Congress, and has been one of the leading republican members of the District com- mittee for a great many years. Mr. Har. mer is a man of affairs, identified with rail- road enterprises and engaged in land and mining operations. It is safe to say that ro one has been more constant in attend- ance upon the meetings of the committee than General Harmer. It is doubtful if has missed a half dozen meetings in the long stretch of years which has marked his services on the committee. A quorum bas never been lacking on account of Gen- eral Harmer's absence. Richard C. Shannon. ‘Mfr. Richard C. Shannon of the thirteenth New York district, a republican, was a member of the District committee in the last Congress, and did efficient and notable ‘work in connection with legal propositions before the committee. Mr. Shannon is a lawyer of distinction in New York, and is @ man of affairs. He has had diplomatic service, having been secretary of the lega- tion at Rio de Janeiro in 1871, and minister to the republics of Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Salvador under President Harrison. He is very much interested in District mat- ters and gives close attention to all legis- lation before the committee. Benjamin B. Odell. Mr. Benjamir. B. Odell ef the seventeenth ‘Kew York district, a republican, was on the committee In the last Congress. He is a business man and has large interests in an electric lighting plant in New York. Mr. Odell brought considerable practical ex- perience to tne aid of the committee in con- sidering matters relating to all municipal works and was counted one of the most efficient members of the committee. Mr. Odell has been actively engaged in polities in his native state, and for the past ten years has been a member of the republican state committee. Sydncy E. Mudd. Mr. Sydney E. Mudd of the fifth Mary- land district is a republican. He was a member of the House in the Fifty-first Congress and served on the District com- mittee. Mr. Mudd received a portion of his education at the Georgetown College in this city and commenced the practice of law in 188). He has served in the state legisla- ture and was speaker of the house of dele- gates in 1895. Mr. Mudd fs one of the well- known politicians in his state and has achieved some distinction as a manager in recent years. He has won in several closely contested factional fights in the republican party and is now mentioned as a candidate for the United States senatorship. Geo. E. White. Mr. George E. White represents one of the Chicago districts az a republican. He is a business man and has had wide ex- perience in the large affairs of his city After serving through the war Mr. White went to Chicago in 1867 a poor young man, seeking employment, which he found in a lumber yard at $0 per month. He pur- sued his humble and laborious duties for a year, when he branched out into the lumber brsiness on his own account. lowed his efforts, and Mr. White is now the head of one of the largest hard wood lumber firms Chicago. He is a director in state and ional banks, alcerman in Chicago, and ved a term in the legis s state senator. Mr. White Was a member of the Fifty-fourth Con- gress. s ess fol- has been an John J. Mr. John J. Jenkins of the tenth Wis- corsin district, republican, will bring to the cemmittee eminent legal talent. Mr. Jen- kins is an Englishman by birth, but settled in Wisconsin in 1852, and clinched his American citizenship by serving during the war in the 6:h Wisconsin Volunteers. When peace was declared he returned to Wiscon- sin, and held a number of positions under the city of Chippewa Falls, subsequently gcing to the state legislature. He was efterward county judge of Chippewa coun- , and in 1876 President Grant appointed United States attorney for the terri- tory of Wyoming. He was a member of the Fifty-fourth Congress. Judge Jenkins will serve on the subcommittee on judiciary of the committee. Jenkins. Charles F. Sprague, Mr. Charles F. Sprague, republican, of the eleventh Massachusetts district, 1s one of the best equipped men on the committee for the work before him. Mr. Sprague has| under the city and county government in‘ had a great deal of experience in legislative | Salt Lake City, and was a member of the! matters relating to municipal improve- ments. When he graduated from Harvard University in 1579 and was admitted to the Suffolk bar he entered politics and became a member of the Boston common cou.cil. He immediately developed an interest in municipal improvements. For three years tucky stock, his fathér, Ashby Peters, hav- ing been born on the tract of land which was granted by the crown to his great srandfather,-Capt.-John Ashby, for-serv- ices as an officer under Washington in the French and Indian war. Mr. Mason 5. Peters was educated at William Jewell Ccllege, Liberty, Mc., and was admitted to the bar in 1875. In 1886 he removed to Wyandotte county, Kan., where he now 1e- sides. He is eagaged in the live stock ecmmission business, and served four years as clerk of the court of Clinton county, Mo. James D. Richardson. Mr. James D. Richardson goes back on the committee as the senior democratic member. He is the only one left of the old democrats who have served uppon the com- mittee in th2 past, as Mr. Meyer of Louisi- ana was only appointed toward the end of the last session. Mr. Richardson has been in the House since the Forty-ninth Con- gress, and during the greater part of that time has beer connected with the District committee. As a leading member of the subcommittee on street railroads Mr. Rich- ardson has been identified with the railroad improvement of Washirgton within the past six or eight years, brought about by legislation. Adolph Meyer. Mr. Adolph Meyer represents one of the New Orleans districts as a democrat. He has been in the House since the Fifty-sec- ond Congress, and was appointed on the District committee near the close of the last session. He is a cotton and sugar planter, and has been engaged in com- mercial and financial pursuits in the city of New Orleans. Mr. Meyer is progressive and is accustomed to dealing with large affairs of the government through his con- nection with the committee on naval af- fairs, of which he has been a member for Several years. Asbury C. Latimer. Mr. Asbury C. Latimer of the third South Carolina district is a democrat, and al- though he is beginning his third term in Congress this will be his first service on the District committee. He is a native South Carolinian, was brought up on his father's farm, and spent much of his life in agricultural pursuits. He is a member of the Farmers’ Alliance and has taken great interest in that organization, having represented his county and state in. the na-, ticnal council. He was urged to make the race for lieutenant governor of his state in 1890, but declined. He was elected to the Fifty-third and Fifty-fourth Congresses and re-elected to the present one. He is very popular in the House. Wm, H. King. Mr. William H. King of Utah is an addi- dition to the legal talent upon the com- mittee. He fs a native of Utah, but gradu- ated from the Ann Arbor, Mich., Univer- sity. Mr. King held a number of positions legislature when twenty-two years of age., In 1894 he was appointed associate justice of the supreme court of Utah, which office he held until Utah was admitted to its statehood. Upon retiring from the bench he resumed the practice of law, but also maintained his interest in politics, and was he was a member of the board of park | elected to the present Congress as a demo- | commissioners of Beston and chairman of the board for the latter half of nis term. In that way he was connected with many | mittee. of the improvements of Boston's parking system. When he went to the state senate in 1885 he was chairman of the committee on metropolitan affairs, having supervision of all matters conrected with the growth and extensicn of greater Boston. Sir. Sprague is a man of liberal views, x be- leyer in the development of streets, sewers, water and lighting facilities, and_ takes great deal cf pride in the city of Washing- ton. George M Curtis. Mr. George M. Curtis of the second Iowa istrict, a republican, was appointed upon the District committee when he entered the House in the Fifty-fourth Congress, and immediately manifested great interest in District legislation. “He has‘held im- portant place~ upon the-subcommitees and has been conrected with most of the con- spicuous legislation put forward. by the committee in the past Congress. He-is a manufacturer erd -business man and of broad snd progrersive views. . = . Masos &. Peters. crat. His services will be in demand, for many legal matters come before the com- \}usé due diligence ‘thi | Let tt the fifth Misscuri district, is well known in political and legal circles of Kansas City. He graduated from ‘the University of Mis- scuri tn 1881, and cemmeénced the practice of law in Kansas City the following year. He also:took an interest in politics, and in 1885 was appointed assistant prosecuting attorney of Jackscn county, serving four years in that capacity. Dn 1890 he was ap- Peinted first’ assistént Gity counsellor cf Kansas City, and held the place for two years. In 1892 he twasielected mayor of Kensas City, serving two years, during which time he gained a knowledge of muni- c:pal affairs, that will stand him in good stead in his work cy thé" District commit- tee. Ses ——__ HYATTSVILLE. Dr. Postley recently “purchased the house and Jot on the corner of Pike aventie and Spencer street owned by Mrs. E. M. Hurley of Wasbington. State's Attorney Bellis will occupy bis new res- idence on Pike avenue as soon as it 1s completed. Mr. Walter Payne's new home, adjoining that of Capt. Bellis, will be ready for occupancy in a few days. A delegation trom the Woman's Relief Corps of the G. K. Warren Post, No. 45, G.A.R., of Hyatts- ville attended the annual inspection of the Wom- an’s Relief Corps of Custer Post, whteh took place ‘Tuesday, November 30, at Baltimore. tion was followed by a fag drill, after whieh banquet was held. composing the deleg: tion were: Mrs. Sarah J. Gramlich, presides Mrs. Jos. McFarland, senior vice president; Mrs, M. V. Tierney. junior vice president; Mrs. A. M. Buck, chaplain; Miss Mamie Tise, conductor; Mrs. W. A. Bartlett. Mrs. Brown, Mrs. W. A. Noel Miss Eliza Baukhages and Miss Natie ‘Tise. ‘The delegaticn returned to Hyattsville on an evening train. Jobn H. Wigginton of Yale delivered a lecture recently at the Baptist. Church, Bladens- burg, for the benefit of Surah Mathews, the aged colore®, woman who lost several hundred dollars of hor savings in the fire which latcly destroyed the old Lowndes mansicn, east of Bindensburg. An oyster supper was given ‘Thursday evening by the ladies of the Methodist Church of this place. ‘The proceeds will be paid over to the Aid Society. iyattaville Euchre Club was entertained Wednesday by Mr and Mrs. John £. Latimer at thelr bome on Spencer street. ‘The playing was brisk, ard wnusvully large scores were made. Mrs. R. H. Whiting, Mrs. Joseph S, Rogers, Mr. Charles H. Welch and Mr. A. H. Bailey were the prize Winners. ‘The players, in addition to the host and hostess, were Mr. aud Mrs. R. E. White, Mr. and Mrs. ‘R. G. Whiting, Mr, and Mrs. L. H. Campbell, Mr. and Mrs, Charles if, Welch, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph S. Rogers, Mr. and Mrs. Dr. and Mrs. Joseph R. Mrs. Latimer, Mrs. ‘Theodore Van_ Doren. Owens, Mrs. Smith Tricou, Miss Cars and O. H. Bailey. next meeting at the residence of Dr. and Mrs. Owens. ‘The Southern Margland Telephone Company has completed its line between Lanham’s station and Hyattsville, and communication is established be- tween those two places. “There is a plan afoot to extend the line to Bowle and thence to Upper Marlboro’, the county seat. ‘The citizers’ committee of seven appointed to consider the feasibility of establishing a water works and sewerage system in this village held @ preliminary meeting ‘Tuesday afternoon, at the office of Mr. Jackson H. Ralstou in Washington. A letter from State Geologist W. B, Clarke was read. Owing to certain stated conditions the state geologist thinks the chances are strongly in favor of obtaining a moderate water supply at a point between 7 and 150 feet. The committee took no decided action In the premises. FAIRFAX COURT HOUSE. There have been three different routes surveyed for the new railroad to. Sideburn station. ‘The first one surveyed approaches the village through Mrs. H. W. ‘Thomas’ land, in the rear of R. L. Sisson’s place, ud termivates near the corner of Mrs. Wm. L. Thompson's lot.’ The next route crosses the Fairfax station road near Henry Neal's house, and, traversing B. Caufield’s land, passing in front of his house, terminates in Jos- eph Cooper's lot, opposite the jail. The last suz- vey made crosses the Fairfax station road near J. P. Taylor's residence,” un@* crossing the Jands owned by Mrs. Mary C.’ Watking und B. Canfield, recrosses the road near Mrs. W. L. Thompson's honse and has its terminus in the same place as the first route mentioned. ‘The friends of Judge James 31. Love are tively at work pressing for his reappointment to the judgeship. A petition in bis favor has been signed by every memter of the local and a large W. Moot has gone to Tjarles of A! a member ‘of other citizens. senator “rom this distrfet, to urge his claims. L. ¢ r, and a3 he considerable lest the € state is his competi legislature, Athey, agsisted by Rey. S. W. Baptist Chureh of Geor a tar of Hope Juvenile Temple y jd to hold a ple party Satur- day, December 11, in Lyien Hall. e cougty clerk has issued marriage Heengea to niah W. Cockerill aml Florence’ R." Pearson; . H. Bristoe and Jattes M. Smith; Wm. T. enn and Reth Lee Thempson. Mr. William Ring of fowa f« the guest of his B. Canfield. “He bas been visiting w York, and is now on his way to here he expects to ‘epend the wlater. SANDY SPRING. California, At a meeting Thursday of the directors of the Sandy Spring Savings Institution all the former officers were re-elected, as follows: Charles G. Porter, president; William W. Moore, vice presi- deut; Alban G. Thomas, treasurer, and George F. Nesbitt, secretary. ‘The finance committee con- sists of Dr. Francis Thomas, Asa M. Stabler, Benjamin UW. Miller, Charles F. Kirk and Benja- min D. Palmer. Mr. Blair ot North Carolina delivered a lecture upon the subject of Sunday school work at Ashton M. E. Church recently and Henry C. Hallowell of Rockland dixeussed to the pupils of Sherwood Friends’ School Tuesday, with physies for bis topic, treating especially of wheels and the tpotive power of water, The strict attention of bis young audience dnd their questions at the cogs evinced both juterest and appreciation of bis kindly effort to Irstruct and amuse. Miss Mary A. Gilpia of Walnut Hi was sum- moned to Brownsville, Pa., by the death of her brother-in-law, Mr. Nathaniel Hogg of that place. Mr. Hogg some sears since married the eldest daughter of Mr. *. GUpin of Brighton. He made wfany here, who deplore his loss when In the very prime of life. Dr. Willian B, Magruder has been in Baltimo with his son, Dr. Edward Magruder, who has ty- Dhold fever. Miss Mary Pleasants, daughter of the late Roger 1 Surah Brooke of Willow Grove, died. recently atthe home of her sister, Mrs, Frederle Stabler, Where she had been {il for. months. The interment took place at Friends’ burying ground Saturday afteruoon, November 26. Dr and Mrs. Francis Thomas snd family ‘have winter, and the Misses Wren- gone.to Washington for th Mary and Jalia Colt have closed their home, Wood, until March, expecting to spend the with relaives in Washington and New Warwick P. Miller and daughter, whi Rept house for several years, are again at Alloway, and. Mrs, Joseph M. She Philudeiphia fs with them for the present. Mrs. Cornella N. Stabler of the George School, Pennsylvania, and Miss Gertrude Miller of the Johns Hokpins School for ‘Trained Nurses are the guests of Mrs. Henry C, Hallowell. Mr. Kelly of Washington has made @ brief stay with Mr. and Mrs. Charlog H. Burke. Mex, Winnebny-of Colesrille district has, rented a cottage onging to Albay G. Thomas Ashton. Sirs. Jeseph “T. Moore has been in Raitiinore, Edward P, ‘Thomas in Aue Arondel county, and Miss Mary E, ‘Thomas in Washington. ‘The Whist ‘Club will hold its next. gathering at Stanmore, with Mr. and Mrs, Henry H. Miller. The new home of Dr. Roger Brooke 1s approach- ing* completton. ‘The handsome new building erected for the Sandy occupied in a few ablic school will days. Teachers and puplis, are. to be congratu- lated, as they have been subjected for a number of years to cold quarters and great inconvenience. —— : Let the Law Be Enforced, To the Editor of ‘The Evening Stor: Although the act of March 2, 1893, gave the ratiroads of the United States nearly five years to equip fheir,jcars with auto- ‘matic couplers, now ‘thatathe time has al- most expired, they yant'five years more. | ‘Officiais of certain romis are pleading pov- erty as an excuse for not complying with the law. ae 4 It costs $20 to equifia dr with an auto-; matic coupler; but it.icoste nothing to kill @ brakemaa. For it .js a well-established rule of law eo 1 re farsi aes cover damages from his ; loyér for in- furies resulting fromthe ordinary risks in- hient ‘o a business. Now, when the act | of March 2, 1893, goes int@;effect, section 8 of sald act provides that the rule of law just cited shall not apply, 20 that employes. will-then be able to.regoven damages in case of a violation of the «law... When the lew was enacted ‘the ratl knew the mag- mitude of the work “them: Did they te fomply with the law? If not, the time shuld mot be ex- tended. In the United+States during the year ended -June-30, 4 rallroad -em- ployes--were killed and 8187 were injured while coupling cars. If. thesé ‘én or | ‘thelr families could have recpve dam- ages, the cost to the railroads would have ‘been Ike $10,000,000. ~~ brakeman is in soldier. JUSTICE AND “JAILS First Report of Attorney General McKenna. A NEW GOVERNMENT PRISON NEEDED Recommendations Regarding Local 5 Institutions. TERRITORY OF ALASKA ee The first annual report of Attorney Gen- eral McKenna went to Congress today. It includes the operations of his office since he took charge in March, and for the three months prior to that. The Attorney General devotes consider- able space to the relations of the Pacific railroads to the government, and gives a report of the sale of the Union Pacific, and Preparations for the sale, next week, of the Kansas Pacific. In the part relating to Pacific railroads is the fourth annual report of ex-Governor George Hoadley, special assistant to the Attorney General in the matter of the Union Pacific. He details the events lead- ing up to a gu.rantee to bid by the reor- ganization committee of the Union Pacific. In the Supreme Court. The Attorney General reviews the im- Portant decisions of the Supreme Court, in which the government was a party, among others being the Chapman and Dunlop ce ses. The number of cases remaining undis- posed of on the appellate docket of the Supreme Cour: at the October term was 383, the smallest number in seven years. In 1896 the number at the same time was 1,190. There has veen a steady decrease until Low. Court of ims. The report of Assistant Attorney General Pradt is referred to as giving very full and precise information concerning the busin: of the Court of Claims during the past year. The assistant attorney general recom- mends, as did hi. predecessor, the abolition of the claims jurisdiction of circuit and district courts, so that but one court will determine the law concerning claims against the government. He points out that the mcst contradictory decisions are rendered in like cases in different districts, and that uniformity can only be obtained: at present by appeals to the Supreme Couri. More sericus embarrassments arise from the fact that many of the claims were pre- ferred by officials of the government con- nected with the courts themselves, and, while the partial charge to the salary s; tem has to a great extent remedied thi: the Attorney General concurs in the recom mendation of the assistant attorney gen- eral, Favorable attention is called to the recommendation, which was ineffectually repeated year after year, that the salaries of the assistant attorneys in this depart- ment shouid be equalized and made $4,000 per annum. The ordinarily temporary chai acter of such employment does not w justify an attorney who has an increasin practice payiag him half that amount to abandoa it for temporary employment, di tant from his home, at $4,000. It would seem to be the reverse of economical and wise to employ lawyers to defend suits involving many millions of doilars at com- pensation less than private corporations would under the circumstances expect to pa; The La Abra claim, growing out of claims and awards against Mexico, has been de- clared fraudulent by the Court of Claims and an appeal taken te the Supreme Court. The similar case of the United States vs. Alia Weil is still pending in the former court. Indian Depredation Claims. The report of Assistant Attorney General Thcmpson, tn charge of the defense of In- dian depredation claims, is referred to for a detailed account of that business. The amount originaily claimed in those cases, $43,515,807.06, suffices to show the important interest of the government in their proper defense, important question as to the liability of an Indian tribe to have its annuities taken to pay claimants where individuals of the tribe stole property and the tribe was never appealed to for satisfaction, as required by treaties and statutes, has been advanced for early hearing in the Supreme Court. The decision will determine many cases, and, if favorable to the government and Indian tribes, will considerably reduce the total amount to be paid on account of this class of claims. Solicitor of the Treasury. The business of the office of the solicitor of the treasury during the last fiscal year is shown ‘by his report. Among the numerous interesting facts stated by him, it appears that 3,456 suits Were commenced; that 1,798 were decided in favor of the United States, 59 adversely, 460 settied and dismissed, leaving 1,139 still pending; that the number of suits decided or otherwise disposed of during the year Was 4,571; that the whole amount for which judgment was obtained, exclusive of d crees in rem, was $548,388.70, and the en- tare amount collected from all sources was $252,002.74. The number of opinions ren- dered was 117. Attention is called to the recommenda- t:on of the solicitor that an appropriation be made to enable him to complete the set of state reports for his library, he hav- ing no reports of -Idaho, South Dakota, North Dakota, South Carolina, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, or any of the ter- ritories; and to his recommendation that the two fourth-class clerks who keep the princ:pal dockets in his office, and the fourta-class clerk performing the duties of law clerk. have their sajaries raised to $2,000 per annum. The necessity for a complete library for the solicitor’s office would seem to need no argument, in view of the multiplicity and importance of the legal business there transacted. Circuit Courts of Appeals. The Attorney General says: The state of business in these courts is shown. The cases docketed during the past fiscal year were 7 being a decrease of 40 from the preceding year;-729 cases were disposed of, being a decrease of 95, leaving 547 cases pending at the close of the fiscal year, be- ing an increase of 46. One hundred and ferty-three cases have been argued and await devision, as against 204, and 33 have been taken to the Supreme Court of the United States. as against 56 in the preceding year. I think it is generally conceded that these courts have justified their creation a, accomplishing what was expected of ‘he necessity for additional circuit judges was brought to the attention of Congress by my predecessor in the report for 1894, and the Ccngress has provided an additional judge ea®h for the seventh, eighth, and ainth circuits. I beg to repeat: the recommendation in the last rt, that the same may be done at the ‘ing | session for the fifth and sixth circuits. The sixth was one of the circuits mention- ed'by my predecessor. I invite special at- tention to the table showing the amount of business brought and disposed of in ihe various circuits. The district judges are, as a rule, more busily occupied in the sixth and fifth circulfs than in many ofthe oth- ers, which affords an additional reason for giving those two circults, but especially the » an additional circuit judge. ly attention has been repeatedly: called ‘to the unnecessary “imposed on led ‘by an’ amendment of* expenses nts in this court, which should be | e.act of | the District of Columbia is shown. There has been a further diminution in the cases undisposed of, there having been only for- ty-three pending July 1, 1897, and seven argued and awaiting decision. Business of the Federal Courts. The work of the federal courts through- out the country is given by the Attorney General. I: shows that 18,134 cases were terminated during the year. ‘The report of Special Attorney Reynolds shows im detail the business done by the Court of Private Land Claims during the past yeer. The importance of the work of this court to the government's interests and the still greater importance of it in settling titles in | .2 large section of the country require no special argument. Large portions of ihe Public domain have been saved by recent dects:ons of the Supreme Court upon some | of these claims. In the New Mexico dis- trict, fifty-seven cases have been disposed of, wherein there were claims to 2,61 acres, which have been rejected ‘to amount of 2,434,404 acres. ‘The Library. Regarding the library he sa “The importance of a large law library to this depurment need not be seriousty sr gued, nor is the expensiveness of many legal publications unknown to Congress. Yet for years past the Attorney General has recomfnended without success an increase in the appropriations of $2,250 and $750 and a svecia! appropriation of $5,000 for the purchase of books. I again recommend ap- ‘propriations of 0 and $5,000. The re- port of the librarian, appended, calls atten- tion to the need of more room for the li brary. That need is no more real, how- ever, for the books than for the officers of the department, and I may take this op- portunity to say that the department has outgrown the building it occupies. It may have escaped attention that this building, owing to high ceilings, affords less floor room than it appears to have, and that the whole force is crowded upon four stories, one whclly occupied by the new accounts division, Besides the rooms of the library and that division, the total number of rooms, large and small, is twenty, some of them hzrdly entitled to be calied rooms. I recommend that some provision be le for a suitable building, as well as tem- porary relief for the library. the Pardons. The report of the attorney in charge of pardons (exhibit Q) contains the following, covering the fiscal year 1897: Applications filed, 669; pardons granted, 80; pardons granted conditionally, 5; sen- tences commuted, 9s restorations to citi- zenship, 31; respites, 5; fines remitted, 5; applications denied by the President, 110. The expenses of the department’ proper for the past year, including all items, were $319,124.23. United States Prisoners. The status of United States prisoners, with relation to the places of their confine- ment, employment and treatment, hi att materially changed since the last annual report to Congress. On June 30, 1897, there were confined in the various prisons and reformatories of the country 3,077 United States prisoner: The number so confined on June 30, 18) was 3,012, showing an increase of but 65 during the year. In the previous fiscal year, from June 30, 1895, to June 30, the increase was These figures would seem to cate that the acme, as to num- bers, has been reached, and it may be fair- stioned whether the total number of convicts for whom pr« be made in the future will great 3,000 at any time, if not possibly le What was said upon this subject in the last annual report, calling attention to the importance and necessity of provi the erection of suitable government is now repeated in the hope that proper action will be taken. United States convicts are now ¢onfined in the prisons of more than thirty state and territories, to which they are sentenced and left without any special provision tor subsequent inquiry or supervision by fe eral authority. No state thus disposes of its prisoners, and the reasons which in- duced this policy on the part of the ¢-2eral government have lost their force. But so long as the present practice of ttering federal convicts throughout the and _ territories , continues, specific on should at least be made for t quent inspections under direction Attorney General with a view to ‘asc taining their condition and treatment <n discharging the duty involved in the re tion of the government toward them. Such examinations of this nature as nave been heretofore conducted have been made as opportunity permitted, with but slight at- tempt at regularity, and by officers or em. ployes temporaril: igned to that work as incidental to the discharge of other du- ties at the same time. The resuits cf these infrequent invest!- gations, however, have been sufficient to shcw the need of measures for mcre ade- quate governmental supervision. The ne- cessity for suitable United States prisons and reformatories has been heretofore urged in the reports to Congress from th department, and it is believed that time for adequate provision to that end fully arrived. An act was passed by the Fifty-first Con- gress: authorizing the purchase of sites for the erection of three United Sta prisons, but was held tc be inoperative cavse it carried no appropriation. Should it be deemed inexpedient now to make an appropristion cufficient to carry out the original purposes of that law, it is eug- gested that at least one penitentiary should be established in a southern state for the confinement of convicts from southern dis- tricts. It has been ascertained that there are in the south quite a large number of reserva- tions belonging to the government, miil- tary and otherwise, among which a suita- ble site for a prison could doubtless be selected. If not, offers made after the passage of the act just mentioned show that the land required would doubtless be furnished free of ccst to the government. District of Columbia Jail. ‘The Attorney General says regarding lo- cal institutions: “The jail in the District of Columbia ts in excellent condition, and its manaxemen satisfactory to this department. The pris- oners are well cared for, are well fed at a very reasonable cost, and the institution is maintained at moderate expense. Sev- eral necessary repairs have been made, among thera a new roof, at a cost of $3,000, which was imperatively necessary. An ap- propriation has now been made by Con- gress for a new cell room for female pris- Oners, the necessity for which has fre- quently been urged in former reports; the work has been eaanencatee and will soon be completed. By these in.provements am- ple ‘accommodations will be afforded for all the female prisoners in a portion of the building entirely separate and apart. “Preparations are also being made to begin the erection of a wall about the in- closure and for needed repairs, under ap- propriations already provided. It is be- lieved that the jail ranks among the best in the country. During the year ended October 1, 1897, 3,501 prisoners were com- mitted, with a dally average of 9.8. The details concerning them, showing offenses committed, etc., are given in the report of the warden. Reform School for Girls. “The report of the president of the board of trustees shows the condition of the school at the close of the last fiscal year. Since the opening of the school on Novem- ber 6, 1893, seventy-four girls have been admitted, of which number fifty-one have been released as reformed, apprenticed to suitable-employments, sent away from the hol, etc. The reeonimendations made in the mapest have my approval. The school should be enlarged by additional ‘buildings, which will provide. for the care of a larger num- ber of inmates at a small increase of ex- pense, and the amount asked for ($57,000) should, it ‘is believed, be appropriated for At present the accommoda- tes on of $000 for the fiscal ye: 4 ) S00 to make up that amount for the fiscal year 1898, m my appro “The suggestions in the last annual re- port to Congress touching the status of the school as a reformatory and a charitable institution are here repea’ “The school is not a charitable in flon, and I again suggest that it be placed in the District appropriation bill under the head of reformatories and prisons, and not under the bead of charities, where it has always appeared. “I believe it to be for the interest of the |chool that the appointments made by the | board of trustees should be confirmed or | approved by the Atvorn ae ‘el, and not by the Commissioners of the District | present. This would avoid delay | would place the school in the same rvlation to the department as the other reform school. I can see no reason for any | tinction, and its existence gives rise to un- j necessary trouble and inconvenience. Reform School, District of Columbia. “The report of the board of trustess of the reform school of the District of Colum- bia shows that at the beginning of the last fiscal year there were in the school 218 beys; there were received Curing the year total of 344, as again previous year. Seventy-six ed were committed by the Police, six by the Supreme Court of the Columbia, thirty-one by the Ur courts outside of the District by the president of the board of tr “There were discharged during tin eighty-nine by order of the t ty-two by expiration of States courts), three t of court (change of senience), and six escaped and {are still absent, leaving in the school June 5 224. There were ro deaths during the year and the general heaith of the in- mates has been and is zood. “I repeat the recommendation of last year that Corgress should take action upen the suggestion of the board of trustees a8 to giving it such control of the boys after discharge as will enable it to re« return to the school any bo whose su quent conduct is bad. Much at the school during the of permanent improvements and the sion of the system of instruction in handi- crafts and manual training. I approve of the suggestion of the board as t - ing of the control of the institution entirely urder the Department of Justice, where, as a government institution,” !t properly be- ices of Mr. Holmes Conrad, soll general, as special attorney to c liugation growing out the late mation of the Potomac flats ashington. Some Jaimants have appe and one of the ases will be argued and submitted to the Supreme Court in January next Regarding the government of Alaska, the Attorney General says: Government in Alaska. “The present system of government Alaska was provided for a few settleme on islands and on that part of the coast which pertains to the comparatively row panhandle nearest to California. these settlements practically and theor cally to the whole vast territory (e limes the size of New York), the the United Stat with some excep! and the laws of Oregon in force in in ware To ISM. were extended by the organic act of that year. court, sitting at Wrangell, on Sitka, on an island—and ¢lse- and iw > judge thinks pro} five commissioners (two at Kadiak and Unalaska, on islands, and the others at itka, Wrangell and Juneau, a coast town) nstituted the local judiciary until the act of june 4 of this year. By that act four additicnal commiss:one with a depucy marshal for each, were authorized. One of these commissioners and one dey will be at St. Mi the west coa one at Unga, on ana, and one com: ner, with a deput is at Dyea, a istance and, on the southern pan- maining commissioner and his dep- je City, in gion of the *n assigned to Ci Klondiki have be S called the uty what interior. A governor, clerk the court, marshal, ten deputy mat la dis- trict attorney are provided and t functions of secretary and Ueasurer of the territory, Justice the probate judge, notary, register of H iver, sury examining and will the officers abo in legal needs of the comm affor by the laws of Oregon and of the United States. But, while the natut f th tem may WW uno! tionable is obviously inadequate in personnel and local extent to afford protecticn and control to the vast interior of the territory. “It is well known that rush of population into a region nearly thousand miles from y-of the towns named, except Circle City (where the whol overnment cr ists, in or genera rec \ magistrate fact, of a commissioner end deputy mar- shal). tas begun and promises, in the com- ing spring. to attain lerge proportions. Just where it will extend. and where it will remain, depends largely upon the fu- ture discovery of gold or other valuable products of the largely unexplored coun- but it now seems that the valley of the ‘on and White rivers, near the British beundary, will be largely filled up with prospectors, and to some extent per rently settled. Circle City, Mitchell, Clin- near the “ks of next spring tablishment of other be abandoned ton, Yukon, may suffice for the towns, some of which may for more promising sites “As it is to the interest of the govern- ment to encourage the development settlement of the country, and its duty follow up its citizens there with the fits of legal machinery, I earnestly upon Congress the suggestion t cate of the present system of governme: be provided, with such flexibility as will cnable it to adjust itself to the future areas of greatest population for part of the region of interior country north of the sixtieth parallel of latitude and near the British boundary, or that regular terri- torial goyerrments be provided for bota parts of ‘Alaska, as the wisdom of Con- gress may ermine. Attorneys for the Government. “The attention of Congress is called to Revised Statutes 5498, prohibiting any per- sen holéing any place of trust or profit or discharging any official function from act- ing 2s agent or attorney for prosecuting any claim against the government, in so far as it concerns attorneys employed by this department under Revised 363 and 366 to assist the Attorney General or district attorneys. While the general purpose of section 5498 is excellent, it creates much embar- rassment to the department and to mem- bers of the bar, particularly in the neigh- borhood of Washington city. The depa: ment is deprived of a free choice of lawyers especially well qualified, and lawyers p1 vented from accepting employment or, when they happen to be employed by the éepartment in some one case of long stand- ing, compelled to sacrifice many chances for business “I would suggest that Revised Statutes 5498 be modified in such safe manner as Congress may deem best.” The Attorney General recommends the advisability of extending the salary sys- tem to clerks of courts. —____-e-+—____ Columbian Corceran Society. ‘The Columbian Corcoran Society of the Corcoran Scientific School held a regular meeting Saturday evening in the post graduate hall of the Columbian University. A very attractive program, consisting of music and recitations, which had been ar- ranged by the entertainment committee— Misses West and Doyle and Mr. Farmer— was rendered. Those who took part in the musical nembers were Misses O'Neill, Mathewson, Doyle, Laskey, Holden, and Messrs. Underwood, Skinner, Marsh and Doyle. Mr. John C. Lewis gave two recita- tions, and a gramaphone, under the direc- tion of Mr. Sanders, nh