Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-01-16
Yoeal ann YsrsoaaL.
Court Abuses. venturing to express

| Court Abuses.--Withoutv enturing to express
an opinion as 10 whether or not the House bill
pending in the Senate, will prove an efectual
purge TO our present invalid Judiciary system, we
me. ely desire, at this time, 10 point TO the fact,
that the grand jury, during their twentyfour days
session, (and who were finally discharged on
Friday lasl,) disposed OF six hundred and htyone
cases Ofihese, four hundred and three icere dis
missed; leaving but two hundred and forty-eight
presentmenis.
But The following extract from the speech ofthe
Hon. Henry May, delivered in the House Of Rep
resentatives on the 2lsl OF December last, will
better explain why il is that so many cases are
needlessly brought 10 the attention OF the grand
jury, than anything we could say in this connec-
ton
"This subject OF arge.and increasing expenses
has been a subject Of constant complaint, and the
people here are grooming uhder their share Of the
fees attending their Judicial transactions. II has,
doubtless, often been brought 10 the notice Of
members of Congress that anybody here, on the
least pretext, may institute criminal prosecution
against anybody else. The fact is notorious that
people do get up brawls and quarrels of the most
Insignificant character, men stand and witness II,
and complaint is lodged The Justice of the
peace gets his fees for issuing the warrant for the
arrest OF the parties; for The Witnesses, and they
get fees for giving evidence; and the constable
also gets his share. The parties are then sent 10
the grand Jury and here lei me say that the grand
jury here is absolutely standing establishment
of the county for great part of the year. How
long, cannot say Members Of the grand jury
have constantly demonstrated against the I'M ustce
done TO the government in this respect Crowds
on crowds Of witnesses 60 the grand jury, besege
their doors, and remain during the whole term of
the court originating these frivolous and too often
malicious prosecutions, for the sake of the 81 rs
per diem which they receive from the United
States treasury. And this is one Of the causes
magnifying the judicial expenses Of this District,
and deserves serious attention"
Mr.. May expresses his belief that if the plan
which he proposes be adopted great expense
will be saved 10 the Government (and he might
have added TO private individually that "twenty
cases will be disposed of where one is now and
il will mitigate that evil practice which now
often prevails, by which innocent and friendless
persons are too often prosecuted purely through
malice, and, being thrown into prison, are kept
there for suffering season awaiting trial"
Let us have reform in this department of the
Judiciary, fin no other. The sooner the better
for morals and purses
Flres.-On Saturday night a blazing barn, near
Alexandra, attracted one of our fire companies
towards the scene. A suction stuck fast in the
mud, and an alarm had to be given 10 rally men
TO pull it out Subsequently, stable, near the
citys northern boundary, was set on fire, and
ththerward the fremen ran and aboutsmdnight
a wheewright shop, in the vicinity ofthe Northern
Liberties market, was burnt TO the ground like
wise the act of an incendiary. Several unsuccess-
full attempts have been made within the last three
nights 10 "tonch off, other structures in this city.
j. Ross Browne.-This gentleman, who has
been absent for some months past has returned
10 the city, after passing through Texas, Mexico,
California, and Oregon, and Washington Terrific
ries, on Government official business. We pre-
sumo our feow-citizen, who has "seen the
world" and furnished several highly interesting
books of travel, has taken notes on the way, dur
ing his last trip. A publication of them would
doubtless be welcome 10 the public.
American Colonization Meeting.-The thir
tyeighih anniversary of this society will be held
in Trinity Church. this evening, commencing at
seven o'clock Addresses may be expected from
the Rev. DR.. Height, of New York; Governor
Dutton, OF Connecticut and Commander Foote,