The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-03-11

disturbance. but q tremendous tempest sweep
ing across whole continents and oceans with
unexampled fury. After to-day WIaarNs will
quickly disappear from public view. but the
extraordinary commotlon he has caused and
the surprising and ridiculous acts which he
has led people to perform will not be without
value to those who study human nature.
There was an extraordinary scene, accord
ing to tho telegraphic dispatches. at the Ken
lucky State College day or two ago. Adrunken
student who had been recklessly hourishing q
pistol was put In charge OF four Of his COM
rades while tho police were called. But for
some reason when the police came the four
guardians. who. 1t seems. were armed with
rifles. refused to surrender their charge. After
some parley however. they yielded. They were
very properly suspended. and their drunken
comrade was expelled from the college. College
students sometimes make 1t uncomfortable
enough for peaceable people with their cane
PUSHES and hat fights. but when they begin to
handle firearms the business becomes serious.
Tho extortionate character Of the fees that
sherin's deputies In this city attempt to squeeze
out OF property upon which they have laid
hands Is shown by decision rendered yester-
day by Justice LAWRENCE. Property seized
under q writ Of attachment was sold by auction
for t7.115.04 Out OF this amount the Sheriff's
deputy demanded 81 0S1. 95 and the auctioneer
l.0268O. These two gentlemon proposed to
take nearly a third OF tho whole property for
Its mere seizure and sale. Ono item In tho
Shcrif's bill was $3.50 for keepers fees. 1t
was shown that tho deputy had keep
ers In charge only nvo days. the prop
erty being stored after that In a ware
house. The warehouse keeper makes n
heavy claim for the storage. but the sherifr's
dpDIfv hal. nh rsyai for knop foNo
during tho same time Justice LAWRENCE cut
this item down to $50. The claim for extra
compensation was cut down from $500 to 500.
Justice LAWRENCE intimates also that large
charge for carriage was excessive. but feels
bound to allow 1t because tho deputy swears
that he actually paid the amount charged; but
tho Justice evidently looks at the item with sus-
picion. Altogether. the Sheriff's charge is re-
duced over $500 Tho auctionoer has failed to
offer any argument In favor Of his own charge.
and the process Of reduction in that bill ia yet
to come.
Tho excessive charges In this instance are
only an illustration OF the practice that is usual
In all cases where the deputies see an oppor-
tunity OF lining their pockets at the expense OF
litigants. First they squeeze all they can out
OF the hapless debtor. and then they try to keep
as much Of this as they can from the unlucky
creditor. The bill that Justice LAWRENCE cut
down yesterday IL modest by comparison with
some that have como before the courts.
Charges made by Sheriff's deputies have been
decided to be ten times as large as they legally
ought to have been. Sheriff DAVIDSON has an
opportunity to effect good reform In this long
standing abuse.
1t Is now said that the underground tele-
graphic system Of Germany extends to over
two hundred towns and has been effected at
cost Of nearly ten million dollars When 1t Is
reflected that cities as far apart as Konigs-
berg and Strasburg are connected In this way
1t will be understood that the now system has
cost good deal In Its first outlay. But 80 far
as the practicability Of subterranean tele-
graphing is concerned. this. OF course. is set
tied. 1t may be admitted that military consid-
erations have probably had much to do with
the changes made in Germany and also In Rus
STA. and that such considerations tho compa-
nies in the United States are not bound to take
into view On the other hand. the greater pro-
lection afforded against injuries from storms
is important to the corporations while the need
OF relieving at least the streets Of great cities
whatever may be done with the rural districts
is imperative on public grounds.