The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-02-24
County Courts.

On Monday, Ia the noosc VI bS'~o'
Mfr. stuart made motion TO recommlt the
hin to increase and rearrange The circuits IN
the State, With instructions to report OH
proyidine for restoration to the county
courts OF all counties which contain popu'
la,ion exceeding 10000 of the jurisdiction
which they bad before August 1, $780, anu
making proper provision for adequate sala-
ries to such judges, to be paid oS theiF re-
spective counties.
Mr.. sruAar afterwards withdrew his mo.
ton to allow Mr.. NEELzY, of Accomac to
move an amendment with regard TO the
Eastern Shore circnit.
Mr.. STUART is q statesman. BE belongs to
a class Of men who studied subjects with re.
ference to their general nature aud Effects
not being satisfied with considering whether
the effect Of measure was for the benefit OF
this county or that district; but considering
it with regard to its effect upon the. whole
Commonwealth or nation, as the question it.
self might be Of national or State charac'
ter. His proposition recognizes the system
Of county courts as an indispensable part OF
the judicial department of the State.
And we beg leave to ask If the counties
having 10000 inhabitants need the conseIya'
live benefits OF those courts, why may NOS
a oosnty with $4,000, or $4,000, or, 10000,
or even less, need the same beneficent instl'
tuition for expediting business, and for pre-
serving the dignity and order and safety OF
society The question is pertinent, and de-
serves the patient and patriotic consideration
of our Legislators. Weimplore them to give
it this consideration Independent OF the per-
ssnal convenience and interest of single
class Of the community.
We believe there is not dissenting voice
in the land 10 the praise and honor awarded
to the old county court of magistrates OF this
venerable Common wealth. Their decisions
stood well in comparison with the decisions
of the circuit courts, and it may be truly
said that in the history of government there
aeve was a tribunal that more faithfully per-
formed its duties and more efectually main
tanned law and order.
Under our new government the attempt
was made to r. establish the county courts as
tribunals to settle neighborhood disagree
nents and disorders, so indispensable In
maintaining peace and public decorum. The
peculiar nature OF the new social system rem
dered the resuscitation of the old county
court of magistrates impossible; so in lieu
of that court it was ordered fortunately
that over the county court should preside q
Judge learned in the law" who should be
elected by the Legislature. Could anything
have been happier? The judges were thus to
be chosen by the Legislature, and the State
was saved from the installation of most objec-
tionable and incompetent persons by excep-
tional communities utterly unfit to select
judges.
In our opinion the requirements Of the
Constitution opened the way for improving
the county courts in comparison with the
old county courts of magistrates. Judges
"carned in the law" would probably do
better than the county courts of magistrates
in many parts Of the State; and had the pro.
visions of the Constitution been fairly and
Justly carried out Virginia wosld have hada
system of county courts entirely above re-
proacb, and answering all the wants Of the
people at time when they eminently need
Cd order and security from condition at
once anomalous and perilous.
We consider the act of the Legislature in
degrading the county courts and frustrating
the whole intention of the Constitution with
regard to them as the most ill-advised and
unwise act Of the peoples representatives
since the war.
Looking at each county, webehold neigh
borhood with its people who have their local
pcrils and disorders and their disagreements
and troubles. We see that they need speedy
aud exact iustce--that there must be police
and a tribunal distinguished for efficiency
and promptness to meet the wants OF such
ncighborhood. Delay increases danger, null
tiplies expense, retards justice. Here it is
that the county court is indispensable ; and
the more capable, efficient, and dignided that
may be the better for the peace and security
OF the county, and the greater will be the
order and decorum there maintained. If we
suCu SpultS-aDlt, plOupt5 alu
respectabe--in each county in the State
what noble condition of the community of
the Common ealth We behold! Beyond such
order and such government, what is neceS-
sary! A rejecting gentleman would answer
sNot great DEAL" 1t would offer to the
world az example Of peace, security, and
public decorum which could hardly be ex.
eelled. This Is the true idea of the county
courts-the peoples courts-which the PEG.
pies representatives have so unwisely legis-
lated into disgrace and ineficency. 'r
We would not dispute over how county
court judges are to be paid but We assert
that they deserve as much the public respect
as the circuit court judges. Indeed, with
out meaning to disparage the circuit courts
at all, we frankly declare that the State can
better dispense with the circuit courts than
they esn with the county courts. These last
are indispensable to the preservation Of do
nestle peace and security, and the speedy and
proper administration Of justice. Every
county In the State should have Its able and
well.compenssted county judge. 1t is indis.
pensable to the preservation Of the true dig
nifty Of State and tho contentment and en-
ergy other people. .. ...
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The Extension to Clifton Forge.