The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1878-03-21
REFORM II STATE APEAIR.s.
Some Suggestions Worthy of Consideration
in Regard 10 the Criminal Laws.

in Regard 10 the criminal Laws.
Columbia Sentinel,
We notice in our exchanges that the
legislatures Of sc veraI States have es-
tablished the old time whipping post
as a punishment for certain crimes.
While We are not prepared to adyo-
cate this means Of correcting crime,
vet We do think that the enforcement
Of the criminal laws Of the State can
and ought 10 be effected in Il more
prompt and expeditions manner than
the old jury system. Many Of the
States south have recognized this fact,
and have amended their constitutions
and passed laws by which crime could
receive its just reward without going
through the delay and expense Of Il
trial by jury, which has been found
too cumbersome under the present sta
tbs OF affairs, when crime Is on the IN
crease, especially among that class
which are unable to give bond. For
instance q man is indicted by the
grand jury OF AIaury county, at It's
present session, for some crime which
is insignificant in It's nature, but which
deserves punishment; after the court
adjourns he Is arrested; being unable
to give bond, he Is placed in jail, there
to lie fed at the cost Of an overbUrden-
ed people at the rate of forty cents a
day. There he IS kept until the next
court convenes, say three months.
During that time the State of Tennes-
/ see pays some $50 or $40 board for him;
/ when his case is called for trial, the
State or he may not be ready and a
continuance Is entered and he goes
back to jail, and remains there for
months longer. When his case comes
on for a trial, jury Of twelve men,
at cost Of $50 each Il day, are
empanneled to try the prisoner; his
case occupies say 4 half day; here is 80
paid to the jury engaged in the trial,
and a like amount paid to the other
jury kept in waiting, which makes SIS
paid by the county Tor the trial Of q
prisoner, whose crime probably does
not amount to more than the stealing
Of an ear OF corn, or Il simple assault
and battery.
Thus it VIII be seen that large
amount Of money is expended and but
little or no good is accomplished.
Thousands and thousands Of dollars
are thus paid out in frivolous prosccu-
tons. However the criminal laws,
which are the strong bulwarlks Of So
cietv, must be enforced; but can it not
be done in a cheaper and more expedi-
tiouS way? The constitution OF our
State guarantees TO every man 4
speedy trial, and if he IS guilty he
should be punished, and if innocent he
should be allowed to go hence. This
cannot be accomplished under the
present system, and as we asserted i'll
: the outset, other States south have
adopted ether means. One of the
plans which has been adopted in the
State Of Alabama, and which has done
much, By the way, to relieve the pco
pie, and which we know, from per
sonal supervision, has worked well, Is
this: In each county in the State,
the Probate Judge whose duties cor,
respond with our county court clerk,
has concurrent jurisdiction with the
/. Circuit Court over ali misdcmcanoi
+ cases. The Grand Jury certify all
indictments for misdemeanors found
by them to this court. which is kept
open all the time.
= When prisoner Is arrested, on 6
capias issued on one Of these indict-
mcnts, he Is carried before this court
and tried Immediately, if found guilty
ne is sent to the workhouse, there tC
work cut his sentence. or if innocent
t he is acquitted, and allowed to &c
back to his usual avocations Of life
and is not kept in Jail to be fed at the
expense Of the State, because he hap
pens TO be unable to give bond; at the
? same time the cost Of the jury to the
county Is saved. The only extra ex
pense attached to this system, an,
which Is nothing in comparison to thai
attached to the present system, is the
pay OF the Judge Of this inferior court
! he should be allowed from three t,
four dollars III each case, to be payeC
by the county OF course the fee.
paid to the prosecuting officer, which
would have to be provided for in thi:
2 court, would be the same aS those
, paid to the Attorney General, AND
! therefore would be no extra expense
The above system is thoroughly Prac
ticablc, and should be inaugwated
At least one hundred thousand dollar.
4 could be saved to the Satte each year
l which is no insignificant sum, Tor thi
f amount would so far toward paying
the interest on our State debt, and W,
might vet be saved from this ever
lasting shame OF reputation.