The Davenport daily gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1869, 1856-11-24

The State Temperance Organ devotes
an editorial to the defects Of our present
Judicial System, noticing the fact, that a
meeting Of the Bar OF this city was held
the previous week for The purpose Of deyi-
sing some means TO remedy these defects
We entirely agree with il, that the evils il
points out, are principally owing to the fact
that our Judges are compelled to serve al
most without compensation. Bat we per-
rni. the Organ to state the case in lie own
words:
For the last three years it may with
truth be said that we have had no such in.
| situations as Courts in this part OF the State
! There is at present in Scott County over
| 800 cases, which have been pending from
one to three years simply from want Of time
to try and determine them. Clinton, Mus
catine and other counties are nearly as bad
! iy off in this respect.
And what is the cause! That determin-
ed, we can then decide upon the remedy for
this sore grievance. The principal cause
may be found in the fact that our Judges
ara compelled to serve almost Without com
psssGtion.
After deducting his necessary travelling
and personal expenses while holding courts
aud d,schsrging other duties of bis Office,
there is not a District Judge in the State
Of Iowa who realizes $500 year for his
services.
The duties Of Judge OF any of cur
Courts are arduous and responsible, and {
properly discharged will engage bis whole
time and attention. And to pay him for
whole twelve months toll OF this kind the
pitiful sum Of $500 is an aggregation, on
outrage.
In the last five years we have had in this
District not less than four different Judges
Most men have not patriotism enough 10
work for glory alone, and when they have
served their country in this line at their own
expense about one year they naturally feel
Ike dropping the burden.
Hall paid mea will not work longer than
they are absolutely obliged 10. and are not
t. be blamed for hot dollg more.
In consequence Of these changes ia Il .
Judgship and the inadequate terms OF court
provided by law, . vast deal OF legal busi.
ness, much Of which lie Of an urgent and
important nature, has accumulated In many
Oh tue COUNTIES thc toiuAcs
We know Of suite on promissory Botes
where there lie no defense, except sham
plea perhaps, Of over eighteen months
standing, and which have attained this lon
gsvify simply from want OF time 10 reach
them on the docket. In this county, you
cannot confer upon debtor a greater faVo,
than 10 sue him, for it is q fact we well un
ieFstand that you can get no judgment for
at least two years, and then only with sx
per cent interest, while in the meantime
money 10 him 10 worth from 20 to 80 per
cent per annum.
We trust the next General Assembly will
address themselves early and earnestly 10
reform our laws on this respect.
II they want Judges who are able and
willing TO work, they must pay them and
pay them literally Our District Judges
should have at least ~ 500, and our Su-
preme Judges 5000 per annum. In the
next place they should provide for the river
counties in the State four terms Of court for
each year, with an express provision that
each Judge shall, except in case Of sickness,
finish up all the business of the docket be-
fore adiournlng court.