Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-01-30
THURSDAY. JANUARY 80. 1878.
The Courts of Maine.

The courts of Name offer striking con-
trast TO the courts of many other States in
the exercise of criminal jurisdiction.
While murderer. after murderer. escapes
the punishment SO richly earned in New
York, while Stokes, notwithstanding the
new order of things in that city. has been
able to ward Of sentence for just one year,
and even HOW is beseiging the bench with
his bill of exceptions, the people of Maine
may well congratulate themselves, and
rest secure in the belief. that the law is
risdly enforced . by a pure, and upright
Judiciary, that iuries are seldom approach
ed with brides, and that justice is speedily
measured out to the offender, without fear
or favor.
But if the efficiency of courts of law
ceases with the punishment of crime, they
have fulfilled but small portion OF their
Office. 1t is none the less important that
they should afford opportunity for the
enforcement of rights between private
parties. for the speedy collection OF debts.
aud that they should promptly hear. and
render judgment in such cases a. come
before them. In these latter respects the
courts of Maine are wanting. and do not
compare fayorably with those Of other
States. This growing evil was never more
apparent. and never called more loudly
for redress than now. and in the present
condition of the money market. \ theft
j punished. il the act committed comes
under the statute provided for that crime ;
but there is form of stealing which can
be, and is daily INDUCED in with impunity.
resulting from the delays. and slow pro-
ccdurc of our courts in civil matters. In
the same degree that credit i beneficial 10
business. it becomes important that the
creditor shonld have within his reach the
means of at once enforcing payment.
when the credit agreed upon has expired
\ ct in the present condition of things, the
difference between the actual value of
money. and the rate of interest allowed at
law. will amount to more than the cost OF
delaying judgment for one or two years.
on suit begun on a note, or account.
80 that the courts, instead of atfording
Remedy to the creditor. become temples
oi refuge to the debtor. The merchants
of Boston complain at a delay Of five
months. Is il not a shame. for Maine To
be obliged to confess. that judgments on
simple debts, when there are no prefer dcd
defences. cannot a. Il rule. De obtained III
d less time than one year:
The public are sensible of the want. bat
do not understand that they alone can
supply the remedy. These delays are As
adverse to the interests Of lawyers, who are
commonly held responsible. As OF any
class, for people will avail themselves OF
their service only a. last re >ort. \ court
Of LAW with but two terms a year. can
never become formidable to the debtor
portion of the communtty. and Judges
who are obliged to pay the eXisea4c OF
attending court at places other than their
OWN homes. out OF their meagcr salaries.
ay,.-.ipalinai - '~ai-a 'i.o-~ -l-.-.
The Police Courts of the State. with
their weekly. or by-weck!y terms. and the
superior Court OF Cumberland County.
holding sessions every month. are de>erv-
edly popular. The boast OF the latter
court has been that it could grind out
anything in sixty days.~ The ba.iness
interests of the State demand court in
every county wherein Judgments and
trials can be assured in the same time. be-
fore witnesses are scattered. and the value
of debt sued for. is destroyed or i'm
paired by delay. The extra expense 10
the State necessary TO maintain such
courts, would be more than compensated
for by the increased value of business
capital. the smaller percentage of bad
debts, and the diminished expense of at
tending court. TO litgatiny parties
We commend to our law makers a care
ful consideration of the subject. and If
they snd thai a reformation in the admin
istration of civil justice is needed, prompt
action in the premises.