Claiborne guardian. [volume] (Homer, La.) 1877-188?, 1879-07-02
Too Many Prosecutions.

week Udr luIblNb'"
surdity Of many of these charges. There
bay. been about a half dozen cases bcfote
Justice Ferguson or the parish judge oi
these. thrr. have been dismissed, and 81
the three where parties were bound over
one was held to auswcr charge not m
cluded in the affidavit, but which was
developed in the course of the trial. Jus
tees usually feel that they are compelled
to issue warrants when parties demand
them, bnt We insist that careful exam-
nation Of the prosecutor shonld always
be made and of the statement by the prose
cutting witnesses, aud OIL no frivolous
ground should warrants Issue. This We
are informed by Justice Ferguson IA the
conr-r h- always pnrSues. We would be
glad to know tina, all other justices in
the parish would do likewise.
The District Attorney pro tenn, since
| hr has filled that office has found that
personal malice instigatcs many prosr'n-
,ion-. and that even when he declares that
there is no hope Of n conviction some
where in the parish n Justice can be
found to issue the warrant.
! II is very trne that the prosecuting
officer wishes to save cost To the PARISH,
vet that does not prevent him from wish
ing to see criminals punished or held I"
answer for their mi>dccd,. Wherever he
has advised against n prosecution there
has been no conviction. The petty and
insignificant wraugliug- of the Ludlams
a+r,l Mill. in the Northern portion of the
parish about few fence rails cost the
parrish over n hundred dollars and nobody
was convicted. All these prosecutions
were against the advice Of the prosecuting
officer.
Only a few days ago certain parties
came 10 Homer 10 procure warrants
against IN officer Of the law who was
endeavoring to arrsst n man who is fngi
tive from Justice. These men were igno-
rant Of the fact that by thrir resistance
TO the officer they had made themselves
nnenahlc. They wanted the law to aid
them in carrying on f''ud.
Some radical changes are required. else
the parish will! never pay ont Of debit
All good citizens should rudraNor to have
all persons who wish warrants 10 conrult
the District Attorney pro TEN. first. lie
will not advise badly for he is sworn
officer. A. lawyer he ought 10 know
the possibilities of conviction under the
evidence, aud he will not make himself
the instrument to crafty personal malice
or hatred We pray earnestly for the day
to arrive when there will be such all elc-
walton of public sentiment as will of itself
tend TO discountenauce all disordcrly
conduct.
Above all things there must be a stop "a
the carrying Of deadly weapons. Every
good citizen should without hesitation
5 report To the District Attorney pro tenn
L. all persons who carry deadly weapons con
/, ccaled on or about their persons. TIL
practice is n shameful outrage upon socic
~ which can have no excuse. Until II !
> stopped and the tendency to RAISE row
removed We will have n bad condition u
- affairs aud - heavy parish debt.
We concludy 10y saving that all men :" h
carry concealed weapons should he rros'
w cutcd; that magistrates should he circnn
~ spcct in receiving complaints and shout
No remember that it is not the right Of
- party tn have an arrest made 90 insult
&. cirnt proof Whenever it is possible cas-
should first be reported to the pistri
w. Attorney pro TEN. lie is paid for i
nr work aud We are sure will gladly advi
ID all parties a. to what is best for them Al
ne public justice.
We Very true, constablcs and justices m
10 not like this last item Of advice, h
surely none Of them wish to enconra
-, litigation that would increase uur bnrdc
oo Another important item that we NO,
,,,l urge upon the people: When petty
,,, frnsc has been committed first exam
.r the condition and surroundings of
,,, party. and unless h- i, likely to leave
State have no arrest made, hnr furn
the District Attorney pro TEN. with
ty- facts aud names of the witnesses aud
her will see that the whole matter comes
ON fore the grand jury who must fna
arr pass ON il anyway. BY observation
r to this advice hundreds of dollars will
I'm saved the parish every year
nto The District Attorney pro- tom. is n
ions to have the moral support and
couragemrnt of all good men. He
on equally axious To have them assist hin
nth reducing parish expcnsrs and thus
css- help him in rendering material aid 10
the people. Through the columns of
'ase Guardian hc makes this appeal to
and good people Of Claiborne parish. l.