The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-12-17
lho altalnmenl q all on commendabIe

objects. Respectfally submitted,
). J. T.. JoHNsON, J. N. GIRns,
JAAEEs E. BAREI.kY, s. s. AsHn,
GEo. B. EnIPEiafAS, ]. Z. NoRvKrx..
Address Of the sheEiifs and Clerks Of The
!. different counties e the people of rexaa:
FsliOso. Citiaas-A Meeting, Is ne a, 8
body Of officials, put in Office and honofed
by you. we deem il at least proper. 4 net
essential, that we declare the object and
purpose of our assembling, 10 tue end that
no false representations may 80 into cIIcala-
ton, to the prejudice Of the measures, We
are seeking TO accomplish.
First, Our assembling has no political
Significance, but relates solely and wholly
70 free and candid interchange Of views,
conyiciioas anda expcrionSas 8 to hoa We
may most efdoientiy discharge oar duties
as eonservators of the peace, ia the intarest
OF law and order, and for the greatest good
State. ETTrpE9 = =
Second, 4e = fact now grown intn the
history OF the hmea, that the effect Of
the existence and ipactieal workinoe Of
tho late police force and constabnlarV
militia has been 20 arouse 3n TIE
breasts Of the people, an Opposition
TO tho execution Of the Law, and this fsom
natural cause: the outrages OF the said
force caused the people to dread the CON-
ing aud even the presence Of those who, By
law, were peace officers, and whose high
duty it was and is to protect the citizbn In
all his rights. The lesson taught BY years
Of force and Oppression q hard to nnleeEn.
The people have not yet unleafned q Tho
consequence as that-We, as the ministerial
officers Of tine law and principal peace OIL
GERS Of the State, whose duty i e - exc
H. - n.,A
unknown difficulties in accomplishing what
our duties require. gd 81.
Third, The territory Of Texas 4 lurRsas
q mighty empire. In great part 4 b but
thinly Inhabited, making il needfpl that
we should have most perfect and en-
|clontsystem Of criminal Law, and the most
expeditions and effective means Of enf0ec-
ing it. l 49,
Fourth, While our territory is large, as
stated, yet it is filling rapidly from
all the States Of the Union, bringing
the good and the bad with the inevifAble
results Of an increasing and somewhat MI
gratory population, VIZ, difficulty and 10
an extent uncertainty with delays in the OK
ecltion Of the criminal laws. aiisf ta
Fifth, Railfoads penetrate every part of
the State, and. as We hops, Will ~ early
day, be within easy reach Of every section;
but while this is 50, these very means give
70 criminals the opportunities of rapid
flight.s When that IS the case, the pusSnit
10 capture must be more rapid than the
flight or else the law viii not be executed.
Six, The welfare OF every State, al In
decd every county, is dependent on tho
faithful, certain and prompt execution Of
tho law, both fh6 civil and criminal, but
particularly the criminal for man, 70 lire, bo
at peace, and prosper, must be protected Ia
life, liberty and property. iq a9 i3i31H
io lFellowroitizenss We Offer 10 you Whist He
have said as constituting. our reasons for
assembling, and trust that they will DO not
only satisfactory TO you, but that We viii
receive your appreciation and Do-opefdlion
in seeking. to make our ideRs of Rhnt khe
execution Of the criminal law in this State
should be, not only realities on tho statute
book, but realities in practice, and the ex-
perience 81 all citizens Ito the BAD, to their
terror to thegOod, TO their consolation aad
confidence in the effectiFeneas Of a g0ysrn-
ment by the people, 49,, =. -.....f.
10 accomplish what We hare Ia view, cur
experiences teach as that Legislation is nee
essary, and that among other laws thatafo
neededs tho following are Of great inpoF-
tance, and, il passed, viii rebound mate
rally, as We believe, to the public veal:
/. The process IN criminal cases should
run to every part Of tho State, and any on
Ger into whose hands the process mag como
should be authorized to execute it Eher-
ever and whenever he may find the person
named therein. i- it'
2. Some provision should be made t0con-
pensate persons called os posse c0uitafus,
TO aid in the arrest of criminals or main
tanning the peace where its viOlatiOn Is
n.rr1fa alrnIr a lnf|ff
3. The several of tho LeeislaldrO In
regard TO fees Of Office, should bo, super
Eised so that All officers and people should
know what fees arc earned By the one, or
incurred by theother. s
4. To ensure the faithful, prompt and
certain execution Of the law, the pay Of
officers ehouid not onlybo specific, b6t Ger
tain. What Is earned should be paid.
5. Who're officers are by law FcquiEod 70
arrest offenders or Witnesses and trananogt
them from place TO place, or county 70 coun-
ty, the law should provide for fair compen-
sation. 3fi'
Q. As The law ls, the executive psGco
officers are not paid for many servics and
even those thesmost arduous rendered, ViE.,
those where the criminal is acquitted, OF
where the case agAinst him Is disposed ol by
nolle Prossgai; that is not Just 81 iISslf,
uHOi auoulA % LtLH.lLLEtLa
~ Where persons against whom either
capias or an ettachment has been Issued and
Is In the hands Of an officer f0r execution,
evade arrest, either by concealmeiit 81 lofee,
suchipersons shouid be subject 70 fac. if MT
70 imprisOnment- Every citizen ahould be
willing TO abide tbe Law that protects him;
when he eYades i he should be punished.
8. Where persons Zee from justice, oE
from arrest and tFial, they should bo sub
jet 20 arrest by telegTaphic dispnkoli, and
80 in the execution Of attachmonis for Wit
nesses, the officer ii all cases being respon-
sible for the usage oE abuse Of tIle po@cr
given. .slIetl AlsHtta
Q. The action Of magistrales forms kho
foundation, ia great part Tor the execution
Of the criminal law. As the law Is neither
they nor the executive officers of their
courts are paid for any services rendered IA
felony cases, and in no misdsmoanef o1se
where there Is an acquittal OF aOlle pf0,eQsi.
Experience has taught us that the no-cau.
pensation Law, IN The courts mentioned,
works badly; the justices ere, 81 3 boy,
an efficient body Of magisiFaey, md are o.
serving ~ fair compeneation for services
rendered u behalf of the public, Thero
should be q change ID the law, and con-
pensation provided for where n0no 8 now
allowed b Law ~ F4i
These arc bpt feW of the dofocts n onr
criminal law, but their enumeration deuon-
strates the necessity Of iegislation 81 the
Babjects and the propnsty cf our eo1Ihg
tUEetharS u tslatH t4ftEt 4 i
That liberty of the citizea d ao1oclnkDd
communities is the most valuable E1les e
regulated BY wise laws. The inoiyidunl
citizen must depend upon fhe law fot 10
prOtection; and BE- should b 3n1bled 70
feel that L is enl3cient foE tbtt Hpnls.
We, as the conoerEators n order ond Ne
active agents 81 the law foE iis enforce
meiit, chosen bg the poople, un1l rely dson
thsif InorlI and physIca support WoSo
no power within ourselves 20 cul6Iea eitoF
from 8 FcIuctant constitueneg. WeWarf.
- fay as We can, IA the discharge ~ he
trusts committed % as, and the duties lu-
posed by the Law. 70 give frnck q fhe