St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-03-29
The M,tnicinnl Co,srt.

To the Editor of the Globe:
1t is probable that at least three-fourths of
the members of the bar who practice in the
municipal court of the city of st. Paul, would
endorse proposition to radically change the
working machinery of said court. AS at
present constructed it affords but little sat
isfaction and diligence, particularly in cases
where new trials ought to be granted. For
it makes no difference how strong a case the
defeated party may have, it is impossible
under the present management to get re-
view. 1t is true an argument is allowed and
listened to for the supposed purpose of OBJ
tanning a rehearing but it results always in
the refusal without regard to the question of
merits involved.
The municipal act does not allow an ap-
peal from on order, consequently a case or
trial of exceptions is perfectly useless and
would be disregarded by the supreme court,
as neither would become part of the judg-
ment roll, from which only an appeal can be
taken, and the minutes of the judge are gen
orally so meager and defective that it would
be almost Impossible for the appellant court
to make any clear ruling upon the case.
Under the present act governing the court,
there is no appeal allowed upon question of
|
the only chance the aggrieved party has
is to go to the supreme court, upon final
| Judgment, and as before stated the minutes
of the court are so incomplete, but little re-
lief can be afforded by an appeal and besides
the largest number of litigants are unable to
file the required bond
1t is presumed that the municipal court act
was produced from well digested legal brains,
and yet the writer fails to find any one who
can fully understand it. 1t is ambiguous and
in no way calculated to meet the wants of
those who are compelled to resort to the
doubtful practices of the court for relief.
In the matter of appeals, it is thought there
should be an appeal allowed from the munic-
! ipal to the district court, DIS responding to the
supreme court of New York; frequently
questions of as much importance arise in
| the municipal as in some of the higher
courts of the state, and there does not appear
to be any just reason why parties should be
compelled to jump from somewhat insig-
nifcant court to the highest court of appeals
without having the privilege of review up
on questions of fact in an intern ediate
one.
1t is also thought that an increase of the
jurisdiction of the municipal court would be
advisable, giving $500 instead of 5000 as
now, in civil cases, to keep pace with its
pretentious character, it being opened every
morning t. dispose of the DRINKS, with a
flourish OF trumpets and Oh veal Oh yea the
municipal court is now open pursuant to
adjournment
The matter has also been discussed con-
corning the propriety of dividing the duties
of the court, that is to separate the police
and preliminary examination of criminals
from the civil side, the DRINKS and disorder
lys not adding any dignity
to the civil law. This would, of course,
render it necessary to have two judges, one
to have entire charge of the civil and the
other the police branch; and it might not be
injurious to have a few text books and other
authorities within reach of the judge of the
civil side, that he may, by little study OF
knotty points, be assisted in rendering de-
cisions clear, pointed and less crude than
now.
Of course if such damage should be
made as herein stated remodling of the jury
system would also be necessary.
OBSERVER.