The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-11-09
THE CITY COURTS.

The parish convention has no work more i'm
portant than the nomination of judges for the
city courts. The new constitution gives these
courts exclusive jurisdiction over all sums not
exceeding $780, and as their judgm ents are final.
no appeal being allowed. only good men m ust
be selected.
Before these courts will come the little suits,
involving. as a rule. the interests OF the poorer
classes and often Of vital importance to the
parties concerned. and we easily see what dam
age and oppression will ensue IL the judges
shall be ignorant or unprincipled men. The
litigation heretofore settled by justices of the
peace-under the eye OF an appellate court
will be disposed OF finally on one trial In the
city courts This litigation Is far more extern
sive than Is generally supposed. and one who
examines the records will be astounded at the
immense aggregate OF money and property
which every four years changes hands under
judgments OF justices OF the peace. Such an ex-
animation gives fair idea Of the danger Of Civ
Ing absolute control of all this business to mon
who are not thoroughly competent and true.
The constitution very properly recognizes the
dignity and Importance Of these cou rrs by
making the term OF Office four years. and by
requiring the judges to have all the aualitic ca
lions possessed by the district Judges.
1t is to be regretted that our bar has not seen
ct to recommend suitable persons to the con-
vention; for or all classes In the community
the lawyers are best able to pass upon the quail
lcations OF the various asptrants. They hay
ing remained silent. members OF the conven-
ton must be guided by the best lights they can
obtain from other sources.
Let the nominees be mon with unstained
records and Of acknowledged ability. Let them
not be selected In return for party service. nor
on account of political influence; and let the
members take special care not to be governed
by private Or personal preferences.
Especially gentlemen OF the convention. we
beg you not to swap of" for judges Of the city
courts. 1t may be we'll enough to reward ener-
gy and zeal and to recognize political infiu once
Ia selecting men for other offices, but as YOU
| value justice and particularly for the poor man
we charge you to hold tbs judgeships above
such barterings. Take no man who tries &c
force himself in by trades and combinations
| and elevate no one who must wear above tht
ermine the collar OF clique. Remember that {
pure and untrammeled judiciary Is at once the
brightest ornament a nation can have and the
surest safeguard for the property of It's people
and that OF men in power the judge, above al
others should have no enemies to punish g
| friends to reward"
| Select those who bring the best guanantee
| that they are suitable regardless OF their poWe
in the wards. regardless OF their person. al pop
ularty, and regardless Of their ability to con
troll delegations. and YOU will put forward mel
Of whose nomination you will hereafter b
proud.
In this connection we would also suggest t
the convention. that as one Of these city court
must Be located In Algiers. It would be emil
nently proper to permit the Algiers delegation
to make the nomination for their judgeshir
This is concession which ought in fairnes
and In justice to be made. for 1t is to be pre-
sumed that the inhabitants Of the fifteenth war
would prefer to have Judge selected froI
among themselves. There are many lawyer
position, and we sincerely hope that our friend
over the river may succeed In having one {