Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-02-10
REFORN-THE CoURTa.

Reform Is the necessity of the day.
Our enormous burthens in the shape of
taxes have convinced our people that
some measures must be adopted which
viii diminish the expenses of State and
municipal governments, or else bank
Tuptcy and ruin will be the inevitable
results in the immediate future. Recog-
nizing these as indisputable facts, we
have always, under all circumstances,
been the main supporter Of every effort
made by our citizens to bring about in 8
legitimate manner changes which we,
As well as they, regard as vital. We
were heartily in favor of the meetings OF
citizens, held last spring, to accomplish
these ends, and concUrred in the ap-
pointment Of an Executive Committee
20 present the grievances of our people
10 the present Legislature. Our jury
laws, by al means, should be remod-
eiled, SO that in civil cases the presiding
Judge should try all cases unless a jury
was expressly demanded, and a de-
posit made TO cover the ex-
Penses Of a trial. Our tax-laws are
exceedingly clumsy and notCriously in
efficient in their operations, so that no
man need pay his taxes unless he feels
50 disposed, The result is that the ar
rears Of taxes would pay or the floating
Indebtedness Of the city and county.
All this should be remedied by wise and
comprehensive legislation. By remedy
ing these and other evils the rate Of tax
alton would be measurably reduced.
Capital which has fled from us as
rats DO from a sinking ship
would return. Our merchants
and mechanics would breathe easier,
and by sympathy every other class
would be benefited, and our city would
move onward in an unexampled career
OF progress. But whilst all this is true,
We would admonish our citizens and the
Legislature 10 move cautiously in their
work Of reformation, and not, by inju-
Glcious legislation, strike at those parts
OF our system which experience has
shown 10 work well. To illustrate: Our
present judicial system has imposed a
heavy cost upon the county, and we
observe q movement on foot the
object Of which Is the abolition Of ALI
the courts. An investigation Of the
matter will show that such a step would
be extremely iujudicious, and would op-
crate more disastrously than II let
things remain as they are. The princi-
pal cost of running these courts Is the
expense incurred in paying jurors. A
judicious law would obviate this, and
The only remaining expense would be
the payment Of the Judges and the costs
OF criminal prosecutions. Our Circuit
and CAGncery CoBrts are crowded with
cases, and the courts are constantly busy
from year 70 year. Our Judges and
Chancellors have the confidence of the
Bar and community to an extent hardly
ever equaled in the history of our coun-
tyi and 1t is universally conceded that
they are both honest and capable.
Should half the courts now be abolished,
the result would OF course be that the
duties Of those remaining would he
doubled. They are already crowded
with business as before stated.
and 10 impose the work of all upon one
half the present number, as proposed.
would SO oyercrowd their dockets as
practically to clog their operations and
prevent a proper administration Of JUS
tice. Perhaps One-fifth of the wealth of
every community passes through it,
courts yearly; and not only the lidgants
but the people at large are interested in
having this released and capable Of use
in business. This state Of things
existed just after the late war
and contributed very largely to bring
about the financial distress of succeed
ing years. Our Legislature remedied this
by giving US additional courts, and the
people have elected competent Judges.
They are gradually reducing the mass