Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 December 1874 — The Law Department. [ARTICLE]

The Law Department.

Washington, Dec. 3. The Attorney-General’s annual report shows that there were judgments during the fiscal year in cl* il suits iu favor of the United States of $2,021,724; amount actually realized, $867,192. Of the criminal eases, 6,018 were terminated, including 2,623 convictions, of which 102 out of 966 were under the Enforcement acts. The total suits to which the United States were not a party is 19,194, of which 11,490 were terminated," the judgments being to the amount of $10,508,624. The expenses of the Marshals, Commissioners, etc., for the year were $2,669,730, ers36l,138 less than the previous year. The amount awarded by the Court of Claims was $2,418,804, against total claims of $4,054,366. The Attorney-General recommends that the United States District Courts be given authority to issue supumas directing the attendance cf witnesses before the Court of Claims, and that the latter be given power to punish for contempt any failure to obey; that the heads of departments be given authority for use Tu the court of the Confederate records in possession of the Government; that the police—force—of—the —District of Columbia be increased; tliat all District Attorneys and Marshals be paid by salary only, fees being abolished; that a penitentiary be erected in the District of Columbia for" the confinement of convicts, instead of that of Albany; that a uniform mode be provided for tlie selection of jurors for United States Courts, and the enactment of a law regulating tlie fees and costs of clerks. Marshals and attorneys of United States Courts.