The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-01-22
For the Caledonian


For the Caledonian.
Mr.. CHApwIcK:-DEAR SIR,-l have recently
learned from good authority that during the last ses-
sion Of the Legislature a report iudusriousy cir
culu,ed among the members Of this County, that du-
ring the last year, had improperly issued large
number Of Warrants for the and examination Of
persons charged with crimes, and thereby put the
State TO unnecessary and un UNSUITABLE expense.
Some of The members understood the number Of
cases TO be ninety.two, others that there large
number of prosecutions Of my getting up, SC.
The report must have originated from the stupid
ignorance or sheer malice of its original author, and
was improbable from the face Of it. Yet it seems
that some were honestly lead to believe that had in
my official capacity a magistrate disregarded the
public interest That the minds of such may be dSabu
sed request the publication Of simple statement OF
he facts in all ofthe kind alluded TO, in which
| have ever been concerned. And here wish TO
say that all the in which l give names
have heretofore become matters of public notorety
by public trial or otherwise leaving no motive for
suppressing names In the which have de-
nominated counter(etng, have placed those charg-
ed with passing, or having in possession with intent
10 pass, spurious money. The following is the lit
of cases. viz:
Sept 1870 State vs.. William Kingsley, coun-
teTfeiting, compliant dismissed, by magistrate.
Sept 1910. Sylvanus Kingsley, counterfc,ng, held
for trial. Bond $3.50, forfeited and paid.
Nov. 1910. David Fntoif. Adultery. Plea before
the magistrate, Guilty. Bond SIS, and paid,
Nov. 1910. Thankful Robbins Adultery. Bond
$3.50. Respond surrendered in by Court, case
continued and bail renewed. Respondent left The
County and recently convicted in Washington Co.
for a similar offence and now in States Prison.
April lS4l Transient Person charged with steu-
ing money dismissed by magistrate.
January lsl3. Charles Sabin, Counterfeiting Bond
$3.50, aud committed. Released on Bond by
Judge Of County Court, and Respondent abscon-
ded.
March ls43 Counterre,ing, Bond
SIPS. Grand Jury returned no Bill The use
| which has been made Of this would justify
! me in giving more full report, but regard 10 the
| feelings Of respectable and innocent family pre-
vents fuller disclosure.
February ls43. Perjury. Bond $500,
principal defence heloe magistrate, want Of ma
fertility in the matter to and advice pros
ccution Withdrawn by prosecuting officer
March 1913. Geo. Staples 2 complaints counter.
Geiting. Bond $500, on each Bill found, and or
trial one of the principal Witnesses absent and one
inpeoched and Respondent acquitted.
March 1913. Alnnson Smith. Connter(ei,ins, Bond
S75, witnesses and result same as in case OF
Staples
April lS43, Samuel Smith. Counerfciting, Bond
5000 ard forfeited.
June 1913. Abbc Fife. Horse stealing, Bond & 3OC
And aquted trial, on the ground that the in
tent 10 steal and convert the property his owr
use was not formed at the taking but afterwards.
Sept. lsI3. Augustus Thorndike. 8 complaints. 8
for Horse stealing and one for stealing n Wager
&c. Bonds $500, on each. Plead Guilty in Coun
ty Court. Sentence TO States Prison S years 'anC
3 years.
Seine time IN 1870, commenced the examination
Of person charged with stealing or being accessor,
TO stealing trunk from the Stage, the testimony wa
taken through an Interpreter and continued for fur
Their hearing, at which time was absent from tn
State and the result not known. Thus fourteen case
in over til rec years become 90 in one year. 1t wi
be seen from the foregoing statement that the Who'll
number of cases dwindes down to fourteen in all,
which three were acquitted by the magistrate, on
case Withdrawn question flaw; and in one cas-
no Bill found As for my self have never issued
warrant except on complaints presented by a swor
officer ofthe law. / have neither sought nor avode
the responsibility OF the examinations. And under
standing The oath and duty of n magistrate, in tn
humble capacity Of Justice Of the Peace even, to b
something more than an unmeanng ceremony, L hav
only TO say that review Of the subject l fin
nothing in my practice in this behalf 10 regret. An
having now given the public opportunity to Iudg
for themselves, dismiss the subject, leaving the OF
iginal authors of the reports OF my NAL practice
the sublime contemplation Of the good effected b
their capacous minds, and benevolent efforts.
=. Irasburgh, January 10, 1874. GEO. NYE.
Our, AT The Star has published Va
3 Buren's free trade etter-and it says many smoo,
things, that the careless reader may slide alon
, well-but says a word about how the author