Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1872-11-09

ton. And Justices of the Peace shall
have authority to take the acknowledge
ment of deeds and other writings, ad-
minister oaths, and take and certify de-
positions. And the Legislature may
give to Justices such additional civil
jurisdiction and powers within their
respective counties may be deemed ex-
pedient, under such regulations and
| restrictions as may be prescribed by
general law; except that in salts to re-
cover money or damages their jurisdic-
ton and powers shall in no case exceed
one hundred dollars.
"a. The Legislature, shall, upon the
application of any county, reform, mod
ify or alter the county court established
by this Constitution, in such county, land
in lieu thereof with the assent of ma
.jority of the voters of said county, vo-
ting at any election held for that pur-
pose, 81 Rte another court, or other
tribunals, as well for judicial as for po-
lice and fiscal purposes, either separate
or combined, which shall conform to the
wishes of the county, making the appli-
cation, but with the same powers and
! jurisdiction therein conferred upon the
county court, and with compensation to
be made from the county treasury. If
two or more adjoining counties shall
prefer to unite in the election of a Judge
to hold county court, in their respec-
tive counties, they shall, with the as
sent of majority of the voters of each
of said counties. be authorized, for all
the purposes of judicial organization, to
do so in the manner and upon theterms
above set forth: Prouided, That the
courts so created shall, in their proyis-
ions, be made to conform to the policy
of the State, as prescribed in this Con
stitution.
fg- The County Court then is an
intermediate court having original and
appellate jurisdiction in all sums over
$780, and also possessing police and ifs
cal powers, the same as now exercised
by the Board of Supervisors, which
body it supercedes.
1t seems also many persons are under
the apprehension that to be relieved OF
grievances, such as over valuation OF
property, wrong assessments, &c, 1t
will be necessary to fee an attorney to
bring the matter properly to the atten-
ton of the Court This is not at all
necessary. On the contrary, all matters
of the above or kindred nature, will be
referred to committee appointed by
the court, consisting Of members OF their
own body, or else a special session of
the Court, of which proper notice will
be given, will be held to hear and deter
mine all complaints, the party complain
ing, appearing in person and stating his
grievances.
Where party is sued before a JUS
tice for a sum over 500, he can take
the case in the county court, or suit can
be brought in that court for sums over
that amount, but sums of $40, and uri-
der must be collected by process issued
by Justice, without appeal. Under
the present system sums Of ten dollars
can be appealed to the Circuit Court,
and the plaintiff, however just his claim,
can be kept out of his money by simple
continuances, until he expends more IN
time lost aud costs, than the original
amount of his claim. Looking alone
therefore to expedition in the collection
of small claims, the new system will be
more effective and prompt than the pres
ent.