Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1874-08-08
EXPENSIVE COURTS.
Too Many People Kept Waiting at
Court.

Last All anu SptluS MI. 4hdsuh puoIlShou
several articles entitled as above, in the Free
Press and Spirit The object was to set on
foot movement to modify the County Court
system and to lop off the most Objectionable
features. As we are approaching another cleo
ton, it is deemed proper again, to call public
attention to this subject, the more especially,
as it seems admitted on all hands that some
change should be effected by the next Legisla
ture.
We have not The space to reprint the article
referred to, bat give such extracts from them
as appear most pertinent.
We suggest our judicial system may be inn
proved We are grievously afflicted with
Courts. light terms a year aud still the bus-
ness is not transacted.
We understand nearly 500 Of our citizens
were called away from home, away from their
work. 70 attend court, during the past month,
and these citizens for the most part belong to
the class who can least afford to neglect their
private business. In old times when we had
au ample and well regulated supply Of labor
a long term Of court did not tax the county SO
severely. but now, when farmer leaves home
work stops. Perhaps, twenty years hence,
when tie labor question is settled, we may
stand long terms but they are out of the
question now. In our present situation such
interruptions Of our farm work are simply Tu-
iaous.
When q case turns on a question Of law,
only the Judge and lawyers are employed, aud
an such cases considered after the should be
jury IS discharged
The questions presented to the County
Court require as much legal learning as those
which come before the highest courts in the
land. We 30 not say the county court will
not decide right; we only say that it takes too
much precious time Tor It to investigate legal
questions.
People must have confidence that the Judge
understands tlelaw; f,r how can he administer
the law unless he understands IT, jude
should be a man who studies law and nothing
else: whose habits Of thought make the iuves-
tsation Of legal subjects interesting and agree
able to him.
Daniel Webster. at the zenith of his fame,
could not make horseshoe, why? Because
he had not learned the trade.
The present county court, though composed
Of uuexcsptouable gentlemen, does not and
cannot meet the requirements of oar situation.
No better tribunal can be devised for the man-
aremeut of the difficult fiscal and police affairs
Of the county. 1t will require the constant
exercise of all The talent OF those If gentlemen
+ % conduct our finances and our public im-
/ provsmeuts. II is their duty to keep jefferson
/ abreast with the progress Of the ase and yet
| see TO It that we are not crushed with taxes
/ But under the present organization, 1t cannot
DO itself OF tie people justice as tribunal ior
I the trial Of law cases.
TIE constitution directs the legislature t.
modify the county court upon the application
! of any county. Il is suggested that we scpa-
rate the judicial business from the fiscal aud
police affairs. That we have a County
/ judge for the law business aud thus enable
the present magistrates TO give all their atten-
I tion TO oar public Affairs. Ii this is done we
believe the law business will be tran sacted in
]
/ thousand dollars each year while the county
matters will be managed infinitely better than
they ever have been This subject is worthy
| the serious consideration of our people. for il
/ is apparent 90 every one that our public af
/ fairs require the most Skilllul and laboriou,
management, and it is equally apparent our
long terms Of court previously interrupt ouI
/ farming operations which interruption we car
poorly afford at this time when we have nc
regular system Of or supply Of labor.
This conversation occurred
A.-Caut we get Fl Of the present Couuy
+ Court2
BIT must continue until the Constitution
Is amended.
A-The people want TO get rid Of the pres.
emit system without delay. When o mau has
money depending on . question Of law, he
wants q larger 10 decide it.
B.-The change You desire can he effectcC
specify and without expense The Coustitu-
ten provides that, upon the application Of any
county the legislature shall modify the Cour
e. conform 70 the wishes Of the people.l L.
the magistrates submit the proposed change
10 the voters at the October election; if a ma
ioritv want q iadge instead of the three jus
tees. the pew Court will be in operation early
next year
A-What viii become Of the magistrates
B.-They will constitute the County Com
mi>sionerS. and manage all the public bushes
of tie country. They viii also try cases, IN
der 800. i1 their respective districts.