National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-09-01
THE DISTRICT JUSTICES.
ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS EASILY MADE.

Constable Caywood Shows Ills Gnllantrs-
Aids n Fiinty Landlord In PrcH,ntureiy
Disiressinu n Female Tenant for SS-
An Artist Pays 500 Rather Than
Face the Uucouscuiai surroundings OF
n Justices Court.
The an,mus OF our local Justices and constables
has been pretty thoroughly made manifest by
the Long committee. Much evidence Is offered
that wouid no doubt be Irrelevant In court Of
Justice, but Il should be remembered that one OF
the prime objects for which this committee was
organized was the ascertainment OF the ntness
Of magistrates and constables for their positions
by the manner In which they perform their du.
ties. The law providing for tho appointment OF
justices aud constables and declining their duties
makes them conservators OF the peace anu th's
IL one Of their paramount duties. How seldom
do we Ind, In looking over the recorded test.
mony, that a Justice OF the peace has endeavored
TO effect peaceful settlement without resort 10
litigation.
judging from the records, one would say That
the name was no longer one OF Significance. ln
order 20 make the name somewhat indicative oi
their calling they might with much proprieY pc
called "IustIces Of the COSTS the constables
might DO dubbed license thieves They
should be compelled TO do all their business W
the name and style OF the celebrated urn OF ~.
Kstsnum and L. Cheatcm."
me foregoing Introductory remarks were In
splred by some narratives related before tue
committee which Sn VIZ wncn womb newer nave BEEN
related n the Officers had really been conserva-
tors Of the public peace. -,..
some time In June an artist OF this city, OF
honorable distinction, settled with laborer he
nal employed to do work IN his studio. When
employed the man had said that he would be
satisfied with whatever the artist should think
WAS Justly earned. lie paid him that and more,
and he 10 man OF generous impulses and 10.
erAi In his expenditures to fault when he has
the means. Having sent to his late employee
the last installment OF his pay, he sent with u q
form Of receipt In full for services To date. This
WAS not returned Immediately, but our deyOtee
OF art thought nothing OF u. Being gulleless
himself, he did not dream OF having undue ad-
WHAT was his surprise few days later at re-
ceivinR q warrant BY the hands OF constable TO
answer the claim OF his ex-laborer or assistant
for 500 for services. He At once wrote letter
TO the justice issuing the summons, relating the
facts In the case aud inclosng 800, but protest.
begged the Judge to determine the matter in
equity and return him oil or such portion OF the
funds as were found to be not Justly due the
The artist conducted the matter In the same
manner that he had formerly been accustomed
to treat similar affairs In Rome. OF course he
should have attended the trial and given In his
testimony instead OF rendering the money IN a
letter, but Il appears that he did not know this.
His conduct attests his inexpetience and sim
plicity with regard to our petty courts. Tue Jus
lice took the money and made some disposition
OF the whole Of IL. When called upon about II
by the artist subsequently, he told him that his
conduct had been confession Of Judgment, aud
II had been entered up accordingly. lie then
gave him q receipt to the effect that he had paid
the money over 10 the plaintiffs lawyer.
While this affair was technically legal, per
hAps, Il was no doubt 4 Wholesale swlndle, whict
the Justice should have investigated upon tn,
representations contained In defendants letter
This much was due In the interest Of common
problty and good morals. The defendant Is on
Of those shrinking, sensitive natures who woul,
rather part with his last cent than to enter con
test with party Of rough persons who had pre-
determined to swindle MIN out Of his property
He carries this appearance and creates this i'm
preston on eJudlced minds.
On Saturday Mr.. George Seitz appeared befor
the committee, who testified that Miss L. ]
ing the rain storm TO appralse some furniture
arriving there no. pi6 Tenth street found tina
Constable Caywood was there with q writ O
attachment sworn out by the landlord, G. II. l
remove from the Jurisdiction OF the court wit
the intent TO defraud him OF his Just demands,
and was about to make levy on q melodeo
whom Miss Olmstead offered her watch as secur
ity until her brother came home, when he woul
settle u.
An examination OF the papers [papers shown
proves that the tenant had paid her rent reRu
larry on the nrst day OF every month. the last re
ceipt having been dated August I, and runnin
for the rent from July to August !. Attache
to the papers was another receipt, dated Angus
I, and running for the rent from August to Sep
TENDER !, which would not have become du
until Monday next. Miss olmstead had pre-
viously notified Richardson that she would vacat
the premises on the LIST OF september, In order I,
allow him some time to procure new tenant
and Richardson took advantage OF this kindness
by making her pay the rent, SIS aud q costs
Deponent advanced the $50, and the constable