Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-01-15

foil wing statement of the cost to the counties
of the State for criminal prosecutions during
the last four years:
Cost of criminal prosecutions in 1ST4..$ 1885, ,3S
Cost of criminal prosecutions in 1873. 49, SgO.03
Cost of criminal prosecutions in 1876. 5, S7.42
Cost of criminal prosecutions in 1877. 31S.322 10
Cost OF criminal prosecutions liz 1875. BOB it's. ID
Cost of criminal prosecutions in 1879. 401 659.39
District Attorneys fat in 1874. ....... Is, BIS. 10
District Attorneys fees in I>75..... 1S.S9OU3
District Attorneys fees in 1876 ........ % 0I1.S7
Dis riot Attorne vs. fees in 1S17...... % g96.IO
District Attorneys fees IL ISIS. %, 260. IS
District Attorneys fees in 1S79...... 24,e9l.73
Total. 81, 762 O52 90
Nearly 81 eco per day for each working day.
The above table shows that the expenses of
crimira prosecutions have increased in amount
since 1916 over 20 per cent
A comparison of these figures with the cost
for criminal expenses in 1877 and few subse-
quent years vii be found Of interest in dis
cussirg this question:
Criminal expenses N 1872 sixty nine
counties reporting ...................S N,62O.06
Criminal expenses in 1873. 1:5, 2563
District Attorneys fees in 1872. ....... 9643 30
District Attorneys fees in 1913. ...... 14,SiiS9
lotal ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 500 ,i'flI9
1t will b, seen that these expenses for each
year since ihe enactment of the Code, which
went tito effect Sept. l, 1913, have been much
of the Code. II would therefore seem to be wise
policy to repeal that portion of the Code
whereb by these eXpens e. have been so enormous
ly int reased, and return to the formar system
The people look to you for relief, which trust
will be promptly granted.
AS tine State pays nearly all the fees in GRIM
inal cases tie law pertaining to witnesses for
the de ense should Re amended When the &C
cused is DESTROYS of proving his character he
should be limited in the number of witnesses.
The practice of summoning en- unlimited num-
Der of witness s for this purpose has grown into
an abuse and costs the taxpayers an enormous
sum OF money annually.
lam satisfied thatmuch of the expense attend
ant on our court system depends largely on the
administrative ability of the Judge Improve
ment in this particularly rests with The people in
selecting Judges. The Judge has limited power
to make rules for the governance of his court;
but many do not like to take the responsibility.
Therefore deyolves on the General Assembly
to provide by enactment the needed reforms
The Judiciary Of the State are, almost with
out exception, of the opinion that it is des1r-
able to do away with the Grand Jury system
This can only be done by amendment to the
Constitution. This number of the Grand
Jury is now fixed by law at fifteen, costing the
counties $50 per day during its session Could
not the work of this jury be as well done if it
were reduced to five? This would save $50
s..
respective counties during the time of session.
All the fees allowed to Magistrates, Police
Judges, Sheriffs and constables, IN criminal
cases, can, in my opinion, be safely reduced at
least 81 per cent without impairing the admin
istration of justice.
SHORTHAND REPORTERS.
Returns from nlnety-four County Auditors
show that their counties have paid, during 1878
and 1879, the sum of S6S, 269 43 to shorthand
reporters for compensation at the rate of So
per day, and for transcripts IN criminal cases.
The amount paid into the respective county
treasures in eighty-three COUNTIES for costs in
criminal cases is but 81, 0296l. lam informed
by many District Judges that the evidence
taken by the reporters during criminal trials is
of no value to them whatever, as the short
hand notes are not transcribed at the time of
the trial, if at ALL and the Judge must, of ne
cessity, in his instructions to the jury. relv on
his memory, or on the notes he may make him.
self during the trial. 1t would seem, there
fore, to be economy to abolish this and thus
save the taxpayers the amount now paid
1t is claimed that good share of this ex-
pense in civil suits is taxed up to the litigants
against whom judgment is rendered This is
true, but many parties are not responsible, and
thus the loss falls directly on the tax payers of
the county. If litgants in civil suits wish the
evidence in their cases preserved, they should
have the privilege of so doing, but they should
pay directly for it as they do for the services
of their counsel
CIVIL ACTIONS.
It may we'll be considered whether it would
not be good policy to restrict the higher courts
in their jurisdiction in civil cases, giving ex-
elusive original jurisdiction in actions involv-
ing 500 or less to Justices Courts. Ali such
actions should be tried without expense to the
public at the very doors OF the Gtigants with
| or without jury with the right to review upon
writ of error or certorari This would save q
large amount of tritiing litigation, which now
| takes good share of the time of the courts
and COSTS large sum of money.
Issues in all cases should be made mp in va
cation, and not in term time. The court
should be empowered to limit the time of ar
guments of counsel to the jury. It should be
provided that, previous to the time the calendar
| is made up for the term, parties shall demand
jury trial or not be entitled thereto, and jury
| cases should be given precedence, SO that the
| jury could be discharged when their business
is completed Provision should also be made
for the payment of the jury by the unsuccess-
ful party.
it would not bein the interest of economy, and
not pervertive Of justice, to authorize by law a
two-thirds Of a jury in civil cases 10 render a
verdict, instead of requiring unanimity, as is
the law now. 1t may be claimed by those who
| oppose this change that 1t would be to large
| extent an innovation in American law, but the
| system has been tried in France, Scotland and
Germany for many years, and has been found
| 10 give satisfaction: and Texas and Nevada
| make provision therefor in their constitutions.
Plaintiffs IN civil suits should, in the discre-
ton of the court, be required to give bonds for
| costs.
| ATTACHMENT SUITS.
Since the repeal of the Federal Bankrupt
| aw. individuals having claims against dishon-
est debtors are forced in MANY cases to resort