Vicksburg weekly herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1868-1883, 1877-12-14

from time to time between this and the
date Of its convocaliOn, we desire 10
for the consideration Of its
some suggestions as TO cer-
tain alterations and amendments which
we think desirable 10 be made 10 our
existing statutes, As the members of
the incoming Legislature have, 10 q
very considerable extent, been chosen
fresh from the great body Of our ?eo-
pie, it Is TO be hoped that measures of
general public interest aud utility will
engage their attention, and that valua-
bic time will not be frittered away in
the discussion of useless legislation,
and the iutherance Of schemes Of pti-
vate enterprise aud personal aggran-
dizement
We desire in this article 10 consider
the existing laws and their bearings
upon one class Of our public officials
our District Attorneys-and to deter
mine what changes, II any, ought
to be made in relation thereto.
II is known that under the
present system these officers are
paid a stated sal ry, and allowed cer-
tain pCrquistes, or fees, for each con-
viction, to be paid by the defendants.
In all feIonies, and for violations Of the
gaming aud whisky laws, fee oil $l5
10 taxed for the use OF tho District At
lorney, and in all other cases similar
fee Of $40 10 imposed for his benefit as
part OF the penalty inflicted. 1t IA
this feature OF the law which we think
especially Objectionable and that ought
ODE wiped from our Code. Tho interests
Of the public would be greatly sub.
served, in our judgment, by the pay
ment 10 these officers OF stated salary
sufficiently remunerative TO compen.
safe them for the important duties they
are called upon TO perform, and the
utter abolition Of this false and iniqui.
tous perquisite system, in so far at least
as Il 10 made source of revenue to the
officers themselves. To make a good
aud thoroughly efficient prosecutor
the officer should be placed in a posi-
tion Of perfect ease and independence
Is this the case under the present law
II 10 well-snown that the only fnet
that are ever collected, with rare ex
ceptionP, are those which are imposed
for violations Of the several gaming
aud whisky laws-for parties charged
with fclonles aud the graVer crimee, u
a rule, belong TO tho poorer classes
society, and seldom, if ever, have an!
property out of which the Sheriff cal
collect the fine aud costs, and tits there
fore to the first class Of cases 10 whicl
the District Attorney must look for hi
fees. The fines in such cases ars re
quired 10 be paid into the Treasury 70
the benefit Of the school fund, aud
these laws were properly enforced
they would become the source OF cou
siderable revenue TO the State, but som
District Attorneys are no; disposed I
press these matters strongly upon th
attention of Grand Juror for irthey d
they render themselves obnoxious
the criticism that they are not uctnite
so much by desire to see the laws Ell
forced, as by the hope of reward whic
they expect in the way ut fee. W
Indeed have heard this very charp
brought against District Attorneys
our time. II they were prid
stated salary, however, aud occupic
q position where no snch cri
icism could reach, aud no such couside
alions influence them, there wou
be nothing 10 deter them from the tho
ough and conscientious di.charge
their official duties. These views a
intended, however, to apply 10 bu' a
class OF those officers, for there is 8
other class with less delicacy and &C.
sibili,y than the former, who are di
posed TO neglect other for more impo
| tant matters, in order that they mi
gather the emOlumont4 10 be dCrivu
from the prosecution and conviction
= persons charged with these minor
! lenses. Indeed We have heard of o.
] District Attorney who made OF q sing
term of Court in one Of the interi
counties Of the State, more than sew
: hundred dollars. Now, in the amen
g ment which We suggest, We wou
. have this money go into the Treasui
a where 1t belongs, rather than into I
f District Attorneys pockets. We ha
i no doubt that this change in the Il
would be strenuously opposed by sol
of these officers, because tney ma
moro money under the fec system th
tho salary vould amount to which