The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1879-04-24
Tha View E.z5anszzcr Law.

Among Tie subjects that the
members Of the Legislature dis
eussed upon the stump and 5o
which their attention vas parrIcu
larry callesi by Cows. Porter and
Marks AID Com ptrUler Gaines was
that OF the great and increasing
cost Of criminal prosecutions. The
pe''ple n their depressed condition.
had made known 4 desire for some
change tor the better IA this dlrEc-
ton. To meet the suggestions Ut
these officials and lessen as much -
could be done the burdens OF cur
people. a number Of bills i0okIugt 70
the ciIeaDeuiug OF the enforcement
Of the criminal Avs ware intro
dace1- and among 5ham the enc
which has become a law under the
caption OF AAa ae5- 70. give Justices
OF the Peace original Jurisdiction
over a. mIsdemeaHCrs.
The act "a is finally PASSED is dir
farenE from me original. having
been amended G4cg that explains
sile awkward manner n which one
or two OF The sections ara worked.
The law Il not as perfect IS iC
might have been, but IL Is An honest
aLbempb 70 aid n the work Of econ
0mv. rs enforcement depends
uyou the IaE-abiding cftizens. Ene
magistrates and che c5usca5Ies. Or
these 0fficials we have n TINS coun-
" sixtV-shree. al Of whom ara
charged with the duty Of enforcing
he laws The people had conf
dence enough IN them 70 elect than,
and Z 0UgiIs - follow that the en-
f0rcemen5 Of law and order IS in
SAFE hands. I for one am wiling
I'd trust them, aided As they vii be
bV All good citizens. As the law
stood the magistrates had virtually
40 power % punish offenders. but
every petty liIBle misdeed vas pun
ishabIe IN the courts aG IN annual
expense or about Sa, 600. Thousands
OF dollars are spent fer Witnesses &c
ing before grand Juries without true
bills being found, anu when found
in MANY instances conviction
fIiled. In many ether Instances
where eonvIcmCus we're had dnly
small fines we're assessed. and the
offender regarded himself "A getsiLg
OF very easily Considering the
enormous cost and the thousands
OF petty CfanBes with which cur
Z. ,
0e- better If some wrong dOers 20 IN
punished than 20 consiuue the bur
dens SO greatly com Diained Of Tie
lax nay prove 20 be unwise. 1u6 n
should De il Fea ] fair sTial, rs our
best laws have not always been pop
ular II first The law vas passed
Cd rive relief. and II II turn cut
faiiure II IS = move made n the "a
cerest Of ren enchmenE and econa-
Nv AMI al such Steps should be
commented anrt Ifyeu 4 fair trial.
It's SUCCESS or failure viii depend
upon the public officers. ant t.
item the people viii look for It's en-
fOrcemCuG.
The magistrates courts aEa y
their nature better cOnsCi tinted and
% rhe punishment Of SINAI
ldensas. Each district has two OF
.hese officers and IN many Instances
complaint viii be made - them.
whereas the prose- u1Or w0Uld De
IN Wiling -. 70 into the higher
courts. Then these officers having
sheir ccFurts always open, Cfender~
ian be punished CT acqui51ed wdu
otherwise wuuld escape Or have I'd
DC Kept before the courts aE great
expense. trouble and frequently
gross injustice. The lGy may not
suit some officers who vii lose
heavy fees II the expense Of tile
.uquGy. but the people VINO a-e
.axed 10 pay Ehese fees viii stand
1y che law and command It's pas
sage. aud esuecialIy SO wien tney
-ura - the code and read the duties
5f magistrates and coustahies.