Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-04-30
For the chron,cls.
COUNTY COURT.

An governrnentssre Instituted for the benefit Of
those who compose them, and all their laws should
be framedt 10 the end Of accomplishing such object
Therefore. II on experiment made, rrsms Of gov
ernment, any poriisn Of is lava. should fail Of
aordiHg 70 ne people proteciion 10 their various
rights Of life. liberty os property, change or
suitable modification should Be made.
The old County cour, system, hss at all times
been regarded Is sxceedingly detective. whElst
Il has at all periods Of the history Of our State.
been :he organization Of ne County Courts 70
faclisate. and speedily despatch the business the
public wants demanded, aud to lessen lie cost, yet
ct no time, until recently, have competent judges
been called 10 do the multiform business confided
to theae courts. This omission Of the people, and
the Legislature, who represent the people, while
enlaiging from time % time, the Judicial powers Of
the County Courts. to provide competent judges
Of adequate Law knowledge Is one Of the mysteries
Of our day and generation. And still perhaps this
NAV so have remained. had NOT the people through
their Legislature In 1850 declared, that the County
Courts should be invested with the jurisdiction aud
power to take accounts with executors, admins
traitors and Of iosovent estates and decree sales,
upon bills or petitions Of lands and slaves to pay
debts, for distribution and division, according to
the rules and practice Of the Chancery Courts.
This extraordinary jurisdiction conferred upon the
County Courts. and done and approved TO this day
by the people, because Of getting their DEGREES
monthly at less expense, was marvelrd at when
the Legislature did not 60 further and call compe
tent judge to preside over the Court, and sdjudge
upon their rights. Il cant be doubted that the
predictions Of all intelligent men, having an ac-
qusintance with the old County Court system,
and the manner in which its business was done.
done by men pretending TO no legal knowledge,
that land titles, and titles to slave property would
be shaken and rendered precarous, involving the
county in endless litigation, has been but too truly
verified. What was to be done7 The people de-
sired their business done properly and cheaply.
but desired also that Il should be confded to COM
petent hands. Who can doubt the wisdom and
absolute necessity. therefore, of the late organ.
Izstion Of the County Courts, OF calling to the
discharge OF its business man Of adequate legal
learning.
Many additional and cogent reasons might be
given, and that would not fail to 10 appreciated
anu 10 uCcofu Win every sttpeficnCet tp-Wtts
The endless Instances OF abuses OF public and pri-
vate trusts--6rst, TO defalcations in accounting
for, and paying over the public dues the conse
quent Itgation. and damag" TO innocent sccuri-
ties that mark much Of the history of Montgom-
cry County. Secondly--The negligencies, not to
say wilfulness, Of guardians, executors, and adj
ministratOrs, and consequent litigation in our
counts, and damage to innocent securities, and
oftentimes TO l. fant wards ami distributes and
legatees; and all this because no Competent judge
was called to preside over the courts and enforce
the laws. II is not doubted that when tbs people
come to look over the whole ground they will
pause before they pronounce judgment advarse
10 this change in cur county court system. For
many years after the settling Of this count, !,
while the population was sparse and transactions
limited between men the old system could be got
along with but now, at this day. when our county
| Is densely peoped, OF bold industrious and en-
terpiising rice, engaged in heavy commercial
trad. agric ulture ind the mechanic arts. can II be
tolerated that our monied concerns, our rights Of
property, and the estates Of the orphan, the luna
tic and insane shall he conhded to incompetent
courts1 None can suppose T..
CITIZEN