American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-07-09

THE MAGIsrRAcY-Queer Decisions. Va
s BUS and amusing are the stories told Of Justi-
% of the Peace, popularity called Squirss, who
they temper mercy with the strict rigor of
be law, give judgments sometimes of the most
dicrous cast. Our Baltimore magistrates, in
mes gone by, have given some strange deci-
pms, but they are fairly eclipsed by the follow
g, which we find chronicled by correspon-
mt of a Cincinnati paper:
knew esquire" In Pennsylvania, before
hom a certain Henry Bruner, who did not
pound much in worldly goods,was brought up
II breach of the peace. The case was fla
rant one, and the evidence clear and explicit
well, Henry" said the squire, cit ishnt vert
lille to hear your defensh, de case is so blain,
bit if you had de money should fine you dree
pillars, aber knows you amt cot de fuscht red
ent, put as de ents of Justice musht not be de-
Pated, de blantltf shall bay mine costs unit
Fill bay de conschtablers costs mine own selbst,
md you, Henry, are hereby sentenced to shop
Food four taYs on my farm as your fine. y
his was accordingly done.
The Indians on the TOnewando reservation,
Jew York, had given great trouble to the
eighboring magistrates with their petty and
exatious law suits, and great complaints on
he subject being made known to De Wit
Clinton, then governor Of the Slate, he APP
ointed one of the tribe to act as Justice of the
Peace in all cases to which Indians only were
arties. Some six months after, the magis-
rate, who had been most incommoded by these
indian suits, met his brother squire, and very
naturally asked him how he got along in his new
Employment, and whether there was as much
BUSINESS in that line as formerly. "Spose moi, !"
aid the Indian, "only two cases yet" "Two
ases only in six months" replied his neigh
Dor in surprise, "let us hear how you managed
he last" swell" said the new squire, "Tom
Silverheels sued Nicholas Obale for assault and
battery. 1t was clear case, so directed the
plaintiff should have thirty lashes, and the fen
tW (defendant) thirty lashes too, and the wit
lesses five lashes apiece, and ordered the con-
table TO pay the costs. had no case since.'s
Let me state an incident or two nearer home.
Soon after came to Cincinnati, newly elect
sd magistrate who was entirely incompetent to
fhe duties of the office, had his maiden case be-
fore him. He heard the plaintiffs statement
and the testimony of his witnesses, with great
attention, and the moment they were through
pronounced judgment in the case.
"Stop," SAID defendant. ''don't you mean to
hear my defence?" "No," said the squire, sif
! was to hear both parties, should not know
how to decide" This was the magistrates first
and last case, as he had already made the dis
covery of his nn6tness, and resigned the office
for fear Of further difficulty.
We have squire in Storrs township who ad-
ministers the laws like Turkish Cad, that
cares little. for forms if he can only accomplish
the demands of justice. He had two or three
lrishmen who had been working on the canal,
and the whiskey getting the upper hand, had
maltreated some of the neighbors. The cul-
Prits were brought up, the charge made, and
the defence, such as it was, regularly heard
"Well," said the squire, pronouncing his ludg.
pent, 'this is so aggravated a case that shall
ter sentence of Transportation for one year ,
Transportation" said one ofthe bows. ssYou
can't transport huz." "Do you dispute my au
thority," replied the cholerc magistrate, "I'l
soon let you know" So saying, he called ur
the Germans who worked on his farm, ant
placing them under the authority of the con
stable Here" said he to that officer, strans
port these men over to Kentucky, and if they
come back, upset them next time in the river
THAT will be transportation for life! The sen
tence was actually carried into effect.