The following changes have occurred in the personnel of this office during the fiscal year: Mr. William J. Carr, of Wisconsin, appointed fifth assistant prosecuting attorney July 1, 1903; promoted to fourth assistant prosecuting attorney August 5, 1903. Mr. LeRoy N. French, of New York, appointed fifth assistant prosecuting attorney August 7, 1903. A comparison of the volume of business of this office during the past year with that accomplished during the year preceding it shows that in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1903, there were 472 cases instituted in the court of first instance, while during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1904, there were 534 cases instituted, an increase of 13.1 per cent. During the fiscal year 1903 there were 270 convictions, while in the fiscal year 1904 there were 364 convictions. In the municipal court, during the first year mentioned, there were 592 cases instituted, while during the last fiscal year there were 801 cases instituted, an increase of 35.3 per cent. In the same court during the first-mentioned year there were 279 convictions secured, while during the last fiscal year there were 560 convictions. This report does not show the entire work of this office in the municipal court, as since the appointment of Mr. French as assistant prosecuting attorney, August 7, 1903, an attorney of this office has been present in that court during each session to look after and prosecute cases for violations of ordinances, police regulations, and other offenses instituted directly by the police department and secret service bureau. During the year there has been a steady increase in the volume of investigations conducted by this office into supposed misdemeanors and crimes, approximating in number during the year 4,134, the number of cases filed as a result of such investigations being 1,335. It will thus be seen that 32.2 per cent of investigations conducted result in prosecutions. The steady increase in the volume of criminal business in the city of Manila is attributed to (1) the constantly increasing efficiency of the police department and secret service bureau, resulting in the discovery of crime and arrest of criminals, where many crimes were formerly undiscovered and criminals unpunished, and (2) to the confidence of the common people in the courts of justice and prosecuting officials, the people having learned that when wronged or injured they may secure a prompt and attentive hearing of their grievances and have such wrongs and injuries promptly redressed and punished without danger to themselves. There is likewise perceptible an increasing desire on the part of the common people to disclose crime and cause the punishment of criminals, and, while formerly it was necessary to issue processes for almost all witnesses in investigations concerning crime, it is now usual for the people to appear at this office and volunteer information concerning crime and criminals. This is a most encouraging indication of an awakening of the public conscience and the realization by the people that peace and security of life and property can only result from a prompt disclosure and discovery of violations of the law and an equally prompt punishment of lawbreakers. OFFICE OF SHERIFF OF MANILA. The following is a detailed statement of the processes and other items which have had attention during the period mentioned in this office: The income of the office for the period mentioned, derived from official fees, is as follows: Collected in Philippine currency P6, 347. 44 Pfs. 4, 803. 54 This revenue has been derived almost exclusively from civil business, an occasional fee for criminal business being paid. The criminal business of the office, almost in its entirety, furnished no income, while it occupies more than half the time and about two-thirds of the expense of the sheriff's office. The transfer, commitment, incarceration, and release of prisoners requires the exclusive service of three deputy sheriffs, the maintenance of two American mules, and the use of a prison van and appurtenances, in addition to the incidental services furnished by the remainder of the force and the clerical work involved. The fees in civil cases are low, and in many cases much time is given to the execution of civil orders from which no revenue is derived-notably in executing orders of ouster, the making of levies and attachments, and the conduct of sales. Hours, and sometimes days, of time are consumed in these services, for which the law allows only the same fee as for serving a summons, viz, $1. So that on account of the large proportion of criminal business and the low rate of fees authorized, this office is far from self-supporting, although the force and expense is kept down to the lowest limit. The work of this office has materially increased during the last year. For example: and so throughout the entire list a marked increase may be noted. 3,051 4,758 700 912 14 49 302 484 80 159. 117 140 62 137 MUNICIPAL COURT OF THE CITY OF MANILA. The wisdom of placing the entire criminal business of the city of Manila under one court has been fully and practically demonstrated. The expenses of the court are now at the minimum. Three judges have held sessions of the court during the year-Judge James M. Liddell; Judge Alfred B. Jones, the clerk of the court, during the sickness of Judge Liddell, and Judge Frank B. Ingersoll, former prosecuting attorney of the city of Manila, who is now holding the same while Judge Liddell is on leave of absence. On account of the increased work coming on the clerk of the court by reason of the consolidation of the courts, it became necessary to increase his force by the addition of two assistants and a messenger, thus relieving him of much of the detail work and enabling him to expedite the work of his office with greater efficiency. One fiscal year has passed since the consolidation. The receipts of the court have increased some $25,000, and the work of the court has increased about one-third over last year, as follows: Fines, etc., for fiscal year Prisoners sent to Bilibid for nonpayment of fines Prisoners sent to Bilibid for imprisonment .. Prisoners sent to Bilibid for nonpayment of fines and imprisonment Appeals to court of first instance Insane sent to Bilibid Hospital for treatment. Americans. Chinos Other nationalities Number discharged Character of offenses committed. Num- 3,457 684 1,761 232 1,925 Num ber. Fees collected under the mortgage law. In Mexican currency . In United States currency. In Philippine currency Proceedings under land registration act (No. 496). $7,438. 75 10.66 8, 232.68 Decree of court transcribed and original certificates of property issued.. Conveyances of property which had already been registered and certificates issued Mortgages and other contracts entered affecting estates registered in accordance with Act No. 496..... 158 75 61 Entries made in the so-called mortgage book in accordance with Act No. 496... 139 Fees collected under land registration act (No. 496). There has been no change in the personnel of these offices. The amount of business transacted has been substantially the same as for the preceding year, although there has been a slight increase in the receipts. Following is a statement of the business transacted by the two courts during the ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CITY ASSESSOR AND COLLECTOR, 1904. The MUNICIPAL BOARD OF THE CITY OF MANILA. GENTLEMEN: In submitting this, the third annual report of the department of assessments and collections, attention is first invited to the report of the chief deputy assessor, giving in detail, more or less, the work done and results obtained in the division of assessments. REPORT OF CHIEF DEPUTY ASSESSOR CAPT. HENRY STEERE, COVERING THE DIVISION OF REAL ESTATE ASSESSMENTS. Work in the subdepartment of assessments for the fiscal year just closed has been, since the adjournment of the board of tax revision, along the lines of perfecting the details of office records and the assessing of new improvements, together with the never-ending routine work incident to this department. |