Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-03-21
The Municipal Court.

Editor Star: Although much has been said re.
speeding the bill which has been recently an
nouEced IN Congress and read twice in the
Senate and House OF Representatives Ito es-
tablish Municipal Cour. in the district of
Columbia, nothing think, has been publish ed
on the subject until last Tuesday, when a we'll
written communication appeared in the col
nmns OF your popular and widely-circ Hated
paper
opinion and settled conviction that il this bill
pass in lis present shape, and with the following
section, 1t will operate obstacle To the
course OF justice, and lead to the escape OF many
violatOrs OF our criminal and municipal laws.
who ought to be arrested promptly and with a
little delay as possible after they have set justice
and Jaw at defiance.
The 21st section OF this bill, to which have
already referred, lis in these words. That the
court created by this act shall meet on the first
Mchday OF the r'onth succeeding the approval
OF the act. at which date the Police Court of the
District shall be abolished, and the power of
justices OF the peace to hear and determine
civii cases shall cease, and the Office of consta-
eie in the District of Columbia shall be abol-
isheG."
Now, MIR. Editor, it is well known to those who
nave had much experience as justices, cOnsta-
bies, and police officers, that many offenders
have gone unwhipt of justice through the inn
possibility of obtaining warrants in time to
make the arrest, or serve the summons in time
70 reach The OFFENDING parties. 1t is not, per-
haps, generally kBevn that ever since the bas
sage OF the act TO establish Police Court which
authorizes justices OF the peace TO receive COM
torious thieves and other offenders have male
their escape altogether, CT to an adjoining state
where they could not be found and arrested. 1t
Is not more than ten days ago since an outrageous
assault was committed on a little girl whose
father under great excitement VIC uld have shot
Inc coiored perPetrator had not the attending
physician anC the justice he issued the warrant
advised the manito let the law take its course
The miscreant in this case was indeed arrested
although II is almost certain that he would have
escaped had there been no magistrate near 70
wi tba lo;,
was made.
could specify several other cases of this kind.
but your limits forbid my doing So Nov I
would ssk, in conclusion, how iaIch more this
evil would increase were the Office of iuSticp and
constable completely abolished d, and ali complain-
anus would be compelled to go to- the Municipal
Court distance OF four or d We miles, to obtain
warrant or SUMMONS" 1t is to be earnestly
hoped that the Dist section Of the bill above re-
lerred to will not pass without modiic .tion or
amendment. IT
@-lf the offence was committed at the ed ge of
the District, On the north, it would be six or
seven miles from the court house, AID if on the
Blsdensburg road about four or five miles dis
lance from police headquarters.
FRESH READING.-From j. Shilliupton we
have batch of fresh reading: Scribaer's AMI
HqJJer'S hagaziRe fer April and Harper,s Vel
~ ND Frank Lesle's Illustrated Newspaper for
March 30; from JAS l.. Kervand we have Harm
ers Magazine for April and B,ack,oood's Magcsia
ior March, with special attractions for Ameri-
can readers; from the John F. Ellis music store
we have the librettos for Lucia, Faust, Fra Dio-
rot9 and Ni9Roa published in excellent cheap
style 90 cents) by the American Opera Pub
fishing Company; from j. G. Parker we have
Harpers Magd<fae for April, and Harper,s
neekfy for March 80; also, from the National
News Company We have Harper's kaaszine for
April. -o'
NILSSON IN OPHRA.-The four nights of Ital-
ian opera at the National Theatsr next week
VIII be the first and last opportunities that we
have had or viii have Of hearing Nilsson in
opera. The operas win be Lucia, - " Faust y,
Fra Diavolo," and "MiGuon," and the artistes
aseoe lated with Miss Nilsson will be Miss Cary
Mdlle. Duval, Brignoli, Cspoul, Janet and
others.
MAcEvoY's HIBERNICON Is one of the most
Popular entertainments In the country, and
those who have not seen il are missing 3 great
treat in its way. Barney, the guide, would
make ghost laugh. There will &c matinee
Tor Families on Saturday afternoon.
ouR ANusENBNT-LovINs PEOPLE are some-
Mhst excited over the fact that Forepaug chs
s.eSt com oination show Is to exhibit here for
week, commencing with the LIST OF April. If is
sure TO draw immensely.
DOT" staal draws at the National ana, .,.a
audiences are nightly interested in the ;ovs - ~
sorrows Of the " old toy makern Thoss - a.
not see Owens In that character mss one ~ M he
great stage pictures Of the age. ~ '"'
LAW Book SALE-0ur friends of the har
should not forget the sale by Messrs Latimer g
Clesry this evening Of q superior law librayv.
A-
JAPANESE ANBAssA DoRs-Iwakura and the
other Ambassadors sat at Brady's GALLERY to-