Vicksburg weekly herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1868-1883, 1878-02-22

~ W - 49, - wa ANN w
10 fix The prices SO low tia, we cannot
get intelligent juries-he hoped Mi-sis-
.ippi would rot De cursed again by ig-
norant and corrupt juries-and the re.
duction proposed by the bill! might
have that etfec'. However, be had
heard no demand from the people for
retrenchment in respect 10 pay Of
judges, witnesses, or jurors. The ex-
penses Of Yszoo county, for the Judici-
ary Department, this year would not
exceed $1,000, and the fact that War
rem county's expenses exceeded $4,000
was no argumen, for reducing the pitt
tance that Jurors and witnesses now re-
ceived. That county was separate
District; salaries Of Judge and District
Attorney had to be paid large city
was in its confines, aud probably
great deal Of crime was committed. lie
was in favor Of reirenching by dlspens-
ing with. the number ofjurors as far as
practicable; but not 0y cutting down
their already small pay.
Mr.. Reynolds favored the bill ; 1t was
reform in a proper direction. The
heaviest burden now borne by the peo-
pie, is the Judiciary expenses of the
several counties-and the feeding of
prisoners, aud pay Of jurors and Wit
nesses, were the large items in
this expense. The total cost Of the
Judiciary in the various counties Of the
Sac Is about $350000 annually. No
cne could con'rovert this fact; and II
retrenchment is desired, this Is the
point at which 10 begin, This bill re.
duCes the pay for feeding prisoners,
from 40 10 70 cents per day, and even
at 70 cents day The Sheriff can make
II cents a day profit on each prisoner
and give them plenty of good, sub
s;autial food. Whenever expense.
have been reduced, the value of Certifi'
Gates received for services have been
increased. As sn illustration: Wher
teachers received S7j per month theiI
warrants ware suH j,ct TO heavy dis
count when their pay was reduced tC
$40 per month, their warrants com
msnded face value-and they received
nearly Il not quite as much cash fol
their services now, as they did when
the pay was nearly double. And i
,his dill became q law, jurors would
actually receive as muca as under The
old system. lie was in favor OF es;ab'
fishing a jury fund in each county, sc
tina; jurors and others could have their
certificates cashed as soon as they re-
ceived them. In his county, and prob
ably in every county in the 5 ate, {
speculator stood at the door Of tht
Court-hou,e, and was growing rich b!
purchasing certificates OF jurors ant
Witnesses at a discount. II his plaI
was inauguraied, this business woul,
be stopped, aud jurors would get full
as much under this bill as under th
old law. Those jurors living in o.
near town were subject 10 less expense
than those coming from the country
aud this was a good reason for the dit
ference In the pay allowed by the bill
Ii the c%peuie OF the judiciary depart
ment was reduced oae-third, Slj0,GOl
would be saved annually TO he people
# the State, aud there was no question
as 70 the people desiring reduction o.
laia ueavy burden.
Mr.. McCaskill said the Warren coun
/ " estimate was intended to bolster Il
| The bill, ana should not influence any
vote in :avor OF il, a great many
items we're upon ii, that did not prop
erly Ue,ong 10 tie judiciary expense
The proper way TO relrench was tol
the Boards OF supervisors to exercise
care and watchfulness, and no, maze
improper allowances.
Mr.. Cowan said that when the Zee,
Of $3.50 per day for Jurors AMI W.T.
aesses were liked, everything va
worth A. least - per cen! more thar
uow-bo4rl was higher, and every
thing else in proportion. II was im
possible % make the psy equal il
every part of he State, owing 10 the
difference in cost ofliviug. lie though
the idea Of Senator Terry for reducing
the fee. a ccr'ain per cent, was prob
ably a good one, There was a gres
necessity for reducing jail fees-it die
not cost more than 10 or Il cents q day
10 fed prisoners, and handsome prof
! It could be made ii - cents per dal
was paid. Everything else had beer
reduced-salares Of Judges, legisla
tors, ETC., and the purchasing power o
money was enhanced. five could re
duce the expense OF the Judiciary Dc
partment % per cent or 49,, per cent
| it would be a great saving to the State
the expenses o; the counties would b
less and there would always be money
in the county geesu les TO cash certifl
Gates.
Mr.. Fart, auaulueu, was ,ael
adopted.
There was soma discussion oa TIN
section fixing the allowance to Sheriff
tor feeding prisoners. The section pro
viles for 2j cents per day for eaci
prisoner.
Mr.. Barry ,aid as the Sheriff per
formed other duties Tor which he re
ceived little or no compensation, III
would be willing 10 increase this com
pensalion 10 80 cents, so that his prof
from this source would compensate
him for the services for which be wa;
not paid.
Mr.. Gibbs concurred in this idea, and
thou hit 3j cents per day for feeding
prisoners would be a proper allow