The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-05-03
TEE WORK Or REFoRE1.

Following up our article of last week
nnon this subject. we invite the attention
of the General Assembly to the propriety
Of abolishing the law for paying witnesses
in State cases. The protection of the
citizens personal rights is sufficient in
ducement for him 10 attend the Courts to
give his testimony in aii cases where the
criminal law has been violated. The
sessions of criminal courts are generally
short, and witnesses would not have to
lose much time in attendance. This
would rid US of professional witnesses,
who love to be summoned in every case
posaihle. It would also prevent many
frivolous prosecutions, which are urged
on by third parties, who wish to obtain
the witnesses fees.
Alao ;nEers up,n criminal cases In the
Courts ne Trial Justice should receive no
remuneration, for they are always neigh
bora of the Justice, and do not loao more
than u portion of day as general
thing, and aFe az no expense in attending
the trial. Every me,i ought to be will
ing to devote small portion of his time
TO investigating any crime which has
been committed.
Another subject >ipon which we think
the present Legislature should act, for
the purpose of giving practical relief to
the litigants of our State, is the reduction
Of the costs Of suit in civil cases and the
costa OF. indictmess In criminal actions.
It ID o matter Of which peTDons unau
quainted with this subject have no ade-
guate idea. In the Circuit Court the
allowances are too largo, and should be
very much reduced. We do not believe
it proper to make q wholesale reduction
OF costs in this Court, but think graded
schedule Of costs should be enacted aim
liar to that which existed before recon
struOtion. A case involving large
amount, or one in which there Is tedious
litigation, should carry more costs than a
small and simple suit. Under the
nreasnt practice s..:sh is not she oaao
The costs in s,iit upon note for one
hundred dollars are as great. as thoaa
upon note for, ten thousand doilars.
This hhonld not be the case. Also the
costs allowed in Trial Justices Courts are
simply enormous, and in many instances
amount to defest Of che ends of justice.
We knew OF case in this County some
years past in which the costs upon
Q suit for twelve dollars and o half. by
threo nnistFiale in Trial Jus,ice's Court,
amounted % over seventy dollars, and e
q recent case in which, upon verdict
for three dollays and ahalf costs amount
ing TO over twenty I've dollars were taxed.
The MB in reference to costs in civil
cases IN Courts of Trial JuationA in very
oppressive, and ought by all means 60 '5e
amended. For cur part we. favor the
abolition Of the Office Of Trial Justice
and the substitution Of Justices. Of the
Peace, with the limited Jurisdiction Of
cur former Magistrates. ACoanty Court
could be established TO meet qGartetly
with Q considerable jurisdiction, which
would allow tho ssssiona Of tina Circuit
Court 60 boreduced 20 two teYnes yets.
The c6ssain this County Court shonid be
yefy small. and BIZ affecting frequent
jail delivery By speedy trials, and ahOl-
Iahing cne term Of tho lCironit Court,
nero than shouagh t0 ldaeifay the expenses
Of tiiils County iE4Ssild .bo saved.
Ths commissioners and managers Of cleo
tiohs ~ . s4as - :.ss--==5 without
any acMp tlSF, end thS very best men
ia bsssy loCality sonia be induced q
scSye gB thaEs paaitions. OnrI6gislature
should s.j0ayoe t5 aialoa tho STATE gov
elnrE4ss cf South Carolina d model os
economy By aboliHhing eyeiS saizrf
,sshese the aayvsesa OF efficient men can
BIO 6bt4ined without rerauiieratioa, and Il
the, effort Ia made we erc s1iiisffiiea that
tar people vii heartily respond by giv-
ing q sufficient portion Of their time and
energy 10 tho pubic service. ip a.'ie