Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-09-23

u,
which, however, appear to US to touch the points
of real interest in this community Long since
we took occasion to discuss the question of the
judicial reform necessary to the future well be-
ing of the District, and see no reason to
change our views on the subject as then ex-
pressed The series of carefully considered
articles in the Star, to which VIC refer, are
doubtless remembered by nine tenths of our
city readers. We are, however, quite as anx-
ious at this moment for the consummation of
such reform, as then. As O specimen of the
communications on the police branch of the
subject in question with which we are favored
we present the Stars readers with the follow
ing
Mr.. EDITOR: More has been written and more
said against the official integrity Of the magis-
trates and cOnstables Of the city and county of
Washington, than HOratiO ever dreampt Of am
satisfied that more might be written and said on
the important subject Of the present system Of
doing business by our magistrates and c0nsiabIes
which ought to be discontinued, and that quick
ly. The whole Of the present legal machine for
the government Of the magi strates and constables
little independence SO carefully locked up In the
hearts OF our magistrates. Nothing short Of the
total humiliation of the present mystical and
slavish system will cure the evil. The beautiful
little Scottish thumb-screw, used by order of
James the Second for specific purpose will not
abate the epidemic Of which we all complain
Give us a code Of laws based upon justice and
good strong sound sense, devoid Of all codihca-
lion aumInery; then divide the city into seven ju
diciai districts, and appoint two mag istrates and
four constables for the first, second, third and
fourth Districts each, and one magistrate and
four cOnstables for the fifth, sixth and seventh
districts, each; locate the Offices In central posi-
ton Of each district, and have these offices kept
open for the dispatch Of public business, from
O'Clock in the morning until 3 O'Clock In the eve
ming; pay the magistrates and constables mod.
crate salary-say, the magistrates a salary at the
rate OF 81 200 per annum, payable monthly; tue
constables salary at the rate Of $500 per annum
payable monthly. The cOnstables should be an
pointed by the Attorney General of the United
States, and be removed only for good and sum
cient cause.
A mayors court will be nothing but a hot bed of
politicians. The mayor, In the very nature of
things, can he nothing but political leader. His
whole aim and object will he to keep place and
power My motto is-keep the bench and the er-
mine free from the whirlwind of popular politics
Let religion, law and politics be kept in their
several relative positions-the priest at the altar
the Judge on the bench, and the politician In the
chair OF state. The fee system and a MAYORS
court are twin brothers Of fearful import The
fee system should never be introduced again
We have had enough Of that villainous com.
pound We now desire to have an upright indie
pendent, straightforward mag istracy, at a small
expense. Large salaries have tendency in this
republic, to corrupt every living creature, and
am fearful we are travelling with electric speed to