Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-08-07
THx Fee System -The recent devotion.

1HH FEE OYSTER -Ine recent develop
ments made by the Grand Jury Of this Dis.
trict, through its late presentment to Congress,
in regard to the operations of the 10 sgistrscy
and oonstsbulsry If this city will, we appre-
bend, induce a general overhauling Of what
is called the I" fee system +" The presentment
states that the labors of the grand Jury have
been greatly increased, and the United States
subjected to enormous costs, by reason Of the
magistrates Of Washington sending to tho
court some cases Of q frivolous character,
others upon deficient testimony, and by gen.
orally summoning an unnecessary number OF
witnesses to establish those facts to which
they could testify. The grand jury, which
has just closed its sittings, has investigated
the large number Of two hundred and ninety
one cases, and examined moro than seven
hundred witnesses. but made presentments
in only one hundred and fifty Of the cases.
The practices of the magistrates and con-
stables have swollen their accounts against
the United States to enormous amounts The
Comptroller Of the Treasury states that the
total amount paid and claimed by magistrates
and constsbles, in this District, up to Decem-
Der 81, 1885, to be S64, 526 IA that from May
IL, 1848, to June 80, 1854, "a period of six
ycars,) the amount paid was $50, 1876 50; that
from July 1, 1854, to December 81, 1855, Ia
period Of eighteen months only,) was S2S, 1926
50-being but 81 S57 Is less than the amount
for tho first six years the law was in force If
the amount charged for the half year ending
SOth inst. shall equal the amount paid for the
half year ending December 81, 1855, then the
expenses Of the two years will exceed the ex-
peDses Of the sta years preceding by the sum
Of 81, S2l S5 that the number and disposition
OF the cases before the magistrates tor the
half year ending December 81, 1855, was g.
1893, lat the rate of Is, 500 per year, or nearly
forty per day y "that 3,S2l were discharged
on bonds to keep the peace, and 1859 were
dismissed So that 5,785 cases out of 6,79S
were shown to have been SO unimportant as to
demand no punishment. Of the balance of
the cases there were nominally 637 committed
to Jail, BIS bound to appear at court, 81 pun
ished-in all, lob; but in reality II IRE were
bat 695 different persons affected in the ], 0l3
different cases, for several warrants were
against the same person in many instances -
Mr.. Riggs, In the presentment in behalf of
his associates, gives one or two examples of
the process by which such q large number of
cases are sent by tie magistrates to the grand
jury, and so many witnesses summoned, and
Such expenditure Of time and money incurred,
CT which the following is one:
"Juctice K Morsell, on the complaint of
Catharine Williams, issued twenty five war
rants on five persons, for attempting to poison
five persons, on March Is, 1855 The Justice
charged his fees at 81 rs in each case. or
SAB 70 in all. He charged for swearing 275
witnesses, eleven in each case, where there
were but nine witnesses in all, being the five
poisoned persons, one constable, and three
other witnesses These warrants were divided
between COnssables Allen and Wollard as near
as the number would admit of, one having
thirteen and the other twelve warrants ia
serve. They charged for serving 225 sum
mons, yet there were but nine witnesses in all,
and WOllard was charged as a witness in the
case served by Allen, and Allen was charged
as witness In the case served by Wollard, in
order to make up the nine in each case Upon
reference to the original warrants in these
twenty-five cases, filed by the constables az
vouchers for their fees, the following facts
were developed That instead of twenty five
warrants having been issued On March Is, as
specified by the accounts Of Justice Morsel
there were but sixteen warrants issued, &c
The constables' fees are charged at $40 SO
the aggregate costs, STA IS Other and, il
possible, more fragrant cases could be cited. u
As remedy for the evils stated, the grand
jury express the opinion that properly or
CANNED magistrates or police court would
greatly facilitate justice, and result in a large
saving Of cost 10 the United States
sentenced Vim. D. Bell, butcher, to the county
jail for two months, and TO pay a fine of $50
in the case the United States u.s. Bell. Bell,
offence consisted in striking DR.. Henry Ha~
with his INST The parties are neigh bors, and
the trouble between them grew out Of alleged
abusive language to Bells wife.
The MARINE BAND Mr.. Mallory presented
petition in the Senate yesterday, from citi
Lens of Washington, urging some ad litiona
compensation to the members If the Marin,
has IN, ,sD;s A.
qualification of the citizens by their musica
performances at the Capitol and President
House.
lNcESBIARY ATTEMPT About IL O'CLOCK
last night an attempt was made to ire tn,
blacksmithshop of Mr., Wilson corner of Ma
rylsnd avenue and Seventh street, Island
| and the stable of MIR. Indermeur, in the neigh
borhOod. Fortunately the FIRE was discovered
and eKtiDguished before it had done serious
damage -
The COMPLAINT Books are now open at thu
Mayors office. This plan will save a vas
deal Of unnecessary trouble and loss of time
to our citizens and the officers. All complaint.
can be entered on those books, and will b.
promptly shown to the proper officers.
EXCURSION Metropolitan Hook and
Ladder company have m ade arrangements fol
an excursion to Richmond, Va, about the 18th
Oh OctODor.
NIGHT DRILL.-The Scott Guards marched
through our principa streets last night. They
we're employed in their usual practice in mi
form.
ONLY IL! cents for . correct likeness O,
Buchanan, Fillmore and Fremont. Sold BY
the agent, A. Adamson, Seventh street, oppo.
site to the Post Office. Adhesive envelopes
20 cents hundred. is
FILLMORE AND DoSELsoN Great Song Book,
only 10 cents, for sale at A. Adamson's, Sew.
entn street, opposite to the Post Office.
WAroH Returns james Logan, vagrant,
workhouse sixty days; Graham Sherretts,
drunk, fine and costs. There were several
dodgers last night.
COAAUNlCATED.
PISEY PoISr.-A few days of pleasure and
enjoyment at this delightful place has induced
the writer, through your widely circulated
paper, to make known that the charges and
complaints which have done 80 serious an in .
jury, are without shadow of found alton T