Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1822-02-06
giefIE GAH EFT Il .ls .
WEDNESDAY. FEB. 6, 1922.

Mr.. ONO WIDEN,
Sir find that there are some persons,
who are travelling through the town with
memorial to Congress, to pass the bill extend
ing the jurisdiction of Justices of the Peace to
fifty dollars; and to give the Justice Powerte
issue an execution against the body of the debt
or. 1t is not little distressing to the friends OF
government oflaws, to find that so many well
meaning men should unite in soliciting
Congress to pass law, containing provision
in direct opposition to the constitution so sa-
cred did the people ofthe United States, consid-
er the right Of trialby jury, that they have
made it a fundamental principle ofthe govern
ment.
The people of Virginia in the year l776, IN
the tn article of their bill of rights, have sol
emily declared, s'that in controversies respect
'ing property, and in suits between man ana
..r,an the ancient trial by jury as preferable to
any other and ought to be held sacred"
This principle is to he abolish I'd by this BILL
and the man or woman, who owes any sum OF
money under fifty dollars to another, IS to be
summoned before single Justice, who may by
his own isolated opinion, in the course OF one
hour, consign the unfortunate man or poor wild
ow to the walls of loathsome Jail, and this to
crafty gripping creditor, who perhaps may
have enticed the unhappypersont become his
debtor. Yes, fellow-citizens, by this law, your
own mothers may be made the victims ofeither
an ignorant, or perhaps an unprinciPled Mag
istrate's judgement, What would be your feel
! ings see father, mother, or child hurried
off to Jail In the custody of constable, upon
the judgement of single Magistrate, for no
offence but because of their misfortune in not
having the means ofpaying at Matmoment, a
small debt Virginia has not put it in the pow
er of any one Justice of the Peace to commit
an individual to jail for debt.
A distinguished member of Congress from
Kentucky, has instituted an enquiry before that
body as to the policy of imprisonment for debt
al all Why should we be SO avaricious as to
be pressing remedy, which is revolving to the
feelings of humanity. A. B.
From The alexandria Gazette Of jan 20.
Ma. SNOwDEN:
send you an extract Of a letter from
a gentleman of Washington upon the SUBJ
| ject of The bill lately reported to the house
of Representatives extending the Jurisdlc-
ton Of Justices of the Peace
Washington, January 22,
"DEAR SIR:
| enclose you bill reported by the com,
mttee, which it is possible you have not
seen, 1t is certainly the work OF the Ma
gistra.es themselves, who are the prlnluni
mobile OF the measure, 10 increase their
business This attempt is nothing more
than renewal OF former attempts OF The
same kind, which have uniformly Jailed. .
10 the E{itors ot the National lntellfsea-
GENTLEMEN
Observing in neighboriag paper, the
Alexandra GaZette, several unfair al
tempts to prejudice tie opinion OF the
people OF the District against bill which
| has been reported to Congress TO increase
the jurisdiction of Magistrates, would
beg room for few remarks on the subject
which is one OF great Importance 10 the
District.
| The men of business of this place have
long regretted the imprs cticabillty OF CO
ercing the payment OF debis over twenty
dollars, and the want OF security which ali
creditors feel 10 commencing suiIs IN or
lInary cases; finding IN many Instances,
,ha, before suit is decids2, the property VI
the debtor has been conveyed, or secured,
and the debt lost 30 severely has THIS
evil heen felt, that many persons within
my knowledge, sooner than sue IN the CIR
cuit court Tor debt of 80 or 40 dollars,
and incur the chance OF having to pay hea.
w fees and costs, besides losing tht If debt
have preferred throwing off part of the
deft. and suing for the balance before a
Magistrate. The legality OF this mode OF
recovering small debts has lately been
questioned, and actually contested, |
| have understood that our most distinguish
ed lawyer has given it as his opinion that
such procedure is illegal, on the ground
THAT no man can compel another to accept
of a gift, against his consent. The Coun-
Gil OF this place, feeling this as a erIe-
vance, aggravated by the monstrous ex-
lenses attending the prosecution OF SUIT
~ the court OF this place, and rendered
,mtoisrable by conspiracy ah'ch many Of
me member, of the bar IF this county haze
| entered anto, binding themselves, as thsy
have done, IN 7Ur,ting not 10 prosecute a
suit ei.her al Common Lac, or an Cha Gerry
unless they are ssoad double the fees itoW
ed by lac and with view OF lessening