The daily gazette., 1879-02-08
Our COurts-MOre Fro q a n
Terms Needed.

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MR.. EDITOR For several years past
there has been q very great and growing
necessity, in this county, for more fire.
quent terms of our Courts. Indeed, the
very great expense Of boarding the pris-
oners, became matter of such great i'm
portance, and so growing upon our
finances, that some time ago, (during
the last session of our Legislature,) the
Levy Court appointed committee to
consult and advise with their counsel and
the Judges of the Courts, to ascertain
what could be done to reduce or relieve
the county from this enormous expense.
l am not now prepared to say what was
done by them; although | understand
that, after several informal meetings and
conversations upon the subject, they
came to the conclusion that the only
remedy was in more frequent Jail De-
livery. The question has again been be-
fore the Levy Court at its present session
and yesterday they adopted resolution
favoring and recommending the passage
Of an act of Assembly, providing for four
terms year of the Cout of General
Sessions, &c, and directing copies of the
resolutions TO be sent to the Speakers of
the Senate and House. 1t is good sug-
gestioll, aud should be actively urged by
the people-if for no other reason-upon
the score OF economy.
The effect Of an act of this character,
would be a saving to the county of at
least one half of its present expense in
boarding prisoners. At this very moment
there are 30 prisoners in jail who are
held only for fines and costs, but cannot
be discharged except by order of the
Court. There are 20 committed upon
various charges and held for trial, max
ing total of fifty, with whom nothing
can be done until the May term of
court, which is more than three months
OIL. We will estimate the time at 80
days. % prisoners for 30 days would
equal 4,5OO days boarding, which at 30
cents per day will make Sl,575-so that,
Jail Delivery term held this month
would save the county 81 ,575 upon this
Item a'OIe. On the other hand the ex-
pense of holding these additional terms
would be merely nominal-being simply
the division of the expense which now
attends the holding of the semi-annual
terms. Indeed the expense would be
less than now, for although it is true, the |
time occupied in trials and the number
of witnesses subpnnaed, would be the
same as now, yet by these intermediate
terms the business would be expedited,
a n,a Of thu ~
greatly sho. tened, aud in consequence
thereof, their fees very much lessened.
Upon the whole it is reform which
we need and which should be at once at
tended to.
There should also be four terms year
of the Superior Court, held at the same
time. The present inconvenience and
expense to the people in their civil mat
tiers, is almost as great, as the expense to
the public is, in criminal matters. l do
not know that 1t would be advisable in
the additional terms of the Superior
Court to have trials by jury-this is a
fair question for difference of opinion
but we should Ger ainly have more fire.
quent terms of this Court to dispose of
those matters not requiring a jury, such
as motions, rules, amendments, &c. 1t
would be of eminent advantage to suitors
and those having business before the
Courts, by materially lessening the ex-
pense and delay which under our two
term system they are often subjected
| make these suggestions to the public
through you, as | believe the present
Legislature will grant this relief, if the
people desire it. A slight effort is all
that is necessary. 1t is done by simple
act of the Legislature, and does not re-
quire an amendment to the Constitution.
Yours, &c., CITIZEN.
Feb, 7, 1879,