Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1879-01-18
COUNTY AND PROBATE COURTS.

lsIs-Labor inside walls. go, 237 %
" " outside walls. &c, 042 1872. 279 SO
COUNTY AND PROBATE COURTS.
By special laws, made from time to
time, we had destroyed the uniform
ity which once prevailed i'll orgauiza-
ton aud jurisdiction of courts. Par
ticularly was this the case with the
county and probate courts. In some
counties the county court was COM
posed of seven judges, in some coun-
ties of FIVE judges; in others of three
judges, and in some counties of one
judge only. In some counties, where
the court consisted of three judges,
the judge of the probate court was
ex-oficio presiding Justice of the
county court. In all counties the
county court had charge of and ad-
ministered' county affairs F; in some
counties the court was q probate
court. With respect to the probate
court-or court having probate juris-
diction-in some counties it was COM
posed of one judge, in other counties
of three judges. Some of the pro-
bate courts had exclusive Jurisdiction
of all demands against the estates of
deceased persons, and other courts
had exclusive jurisdiction of small
amounts, and concurrent jurisdiction
with the circuit courts Of larger de-
mands. By the acts of theslast legis-
latnre an uniform system of probate
and of county courts was established.
The county courts are now composed
of three judges, and no more, and
the compensation is fixed at So per
day and mileage, instead of SIS per
day, the former compensation. Tie
per diem cost 10 a county is now SO
instead of the sum of $25, which was
the per diem cost in many counties
before the change of the law. The
saving to the people in the amount
paid to the judges of the county
court ranges from Sc to SIG per day.
Another saving i'll expense was made;
the judges being of equal qualiica.
tons, three judges will dispose Of
more business in a day than five
judges.
l have no doubt that in MANY cases
the compensation or emolu ments Of
county officers is too great. This is
shown by tile fact that in some coun.
ties candidates proposed to perform
the duties OF the Office they sought
for a much less compensation than
that prescribed by law, and the sur
plus, il any, they promised should
be paid into the county treasury.
recommend, therefore, thai o es-
pecially inquire into the mount paid
to all officers, state or county, and il,
in your wisdom and Judgment, the
compensation or salary is too great.
that you regulate such salary or com.
pensation by prescribing a lower and
inherent compensation, wherever il
may lawfully be done.
EDUCATION.
The II of education is increas.
ing, and has received encouragement
to the extent of the ability of the
state to render, in these times Of
financial distress. No one
to reduce the amount OF the revenue
which is directed to be set apart fol-
the support of public schools, though
this can only be done by amending
the constitution There is little doubt
the sum to be distributed for the
maintenance of the public schools
will be an amount about equal to the
sum apportioned for the year 1873 fol
the same purpose. The State univer.
slty, Including the Agricultural col
lege and tie School Of Mines, is in 8
prosperous condition. The number
of Students has considerably increas.
ed under the present management
Its able professors, under the guild.
ance of its distinguished president
attract pupils, not only from almos,
every portion of our state, but also
from neighboring states. The norma.
schools appear to prosper. Report.
from these institutions will be sub.
United to you in the early part Of tn.
session, and to those reports L re.
sp%ecttully refer you for full informa.
ton of their management. The re.
port OF the superintendent Of public
schools will show you the condition
of this branch of education. In con.
nection with this matter. L suggest
for your consideration whether 1t is
not advisable to provide that tho
county public school fund. as well at
the congressional township public
school fund, shall be invested in the
bonds of this state. These funds
would have amounted to a much
larger sum if suitable care had been
taken, and the investments made in
: he sprnrttioo of ~,