Volume 29
Public Law 54–316
To prevent the purchasing of or speculating in claims against the Federal Government by United States officers.
Approved February 25, 1897
Statutory text
An Act
To prevent the purchasing of or speculating in claims against the Federal Government by United States officers.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That it shall hereafter be unlawful
United States Courts.
Purchase of claims for fees, etc., by officials prohibited.
for any United States marshal or deputy marshal, or any clerk or deputy clerk of any court of the United States or of any Territory thereof, or any United States attorney or assistant attorney, or any United States judge, or United States commissioner, or other person holding any office, employment, or position of trust or profit under the Government of the United States to purchase, at less than the full face value thereof, either directly or indirectly, any claim for fee, mileage, or expenses of any witness, juror, deputy marshal, or of any other officer of court whatsoever against the United States Government.
Sec. 2.
That any person who shall violate this Act shall be deemed
Penalty.
guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not exceeding one thousand dollars.
Approved, .