The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1883-10-06
mo. A.

emit reaches the Governor for his Gg-
nature, it shall be countersigned By 1t
least two oficers, who shall serve as
checks upon each other and vouch for
the compliance Of the conditions pre-
ctdent upon which patent Is author
lied to be issued. The form Of the
patent ct present used Is defective and
should be altered.
The lessees Of the penitentiary be-
ing in arrears to the State to q large
amount, suit was instituted in East
Baton Rouge, several years ago,
against them for . dissolution Of the
lease and for : Judgment for the rent.
It became an important question
whether, during last year, this suit
should be pressed for trial, As disco
luton Of the lease would have thrown
the convicts on the State without any
appropriation Tor their support and
guarding, and no directions as to their
use, and it was decided to let them re-
main Is they were. II becomes mat
ter of legislative discretion whether
the suit to set aside the lease be
Dressed or not.
The convicts are q work on work
which Il il exceedingly important
should be carried ON.
NV attention has been directed,
through the operation Of section zoos
of the Revised Statutes to either the
carelessness or ignorance Of some OF
the clerks Of courts in the State in the
discharge Of their duties in criminal
matters. / suggest & law, making it
expressly and specially the duty of the
district iudQes TO Rive personal super
vision from day 70 day over the min
utes Of their courts in criminal cases.
I cali your attention to the subject of
appeais ia criminal. cases. Articles "a
and 1909 Of the Revised Statutes
should be amended 20 as to make it
the duty Of the Judge, whenever an
sDpeai Il asked for in = criminal case,
to himself hx special return day, and
to designate the place of return, due
regard being had to reasonable time.
In other words, 1 think that what in
now right OF tho accused under these
sections should be made the right of
the State.
There prevails very generally the
belief that it i discretionary with
committing magistrates 70 allow, OF
not, the waiver Of preliminary ex-
animation ~ criminal matters On !no
person charged with crime infnssning
bond. This waiver should % promo-
tied. II does away with the perpets
uation Of important testimony, and
witnesses are frequentiy NOT 20 90
found when most needed. whist on
this subject, would say tnat the oo-
ject Of section lO06 Y not declared; II
was scarcely intended, l think 10 cast
upon the Executive the duty Of pass
ing upon the legality Of al the steps
in criminal trial, and thus impose
duties, Judicial IN their character,
upon him: Il 20, the extent ana unit ~,
O. TINS 09sy - nos uonuoa, ano . s''o
Governor i placed in . most embar-
raising position. I suggest that SEC
ton l0t'5 Of the Revised Statutes pe
amended, 20 that only specified Por-
lions Of the RECORD % sent 20 :ne cov-
eruor, as, for instsnce, the bill OF in
Idictmont, arraignment, plea, verdict
and sentence, rs evidence to authorize
the assurance Of the death warrant.
think e 1 proper time, whilst on
| tbis aubiect Of criminal law, to allude
| "a the Dosition or che Executive in re-
| card e ti,e Datdonine power. No more
important duty il imposed upon him.
Applications, either for absolute par
don or Communication If sentence, are
constantly made, upon allegations Of