The Evening critic., 1884-12-05

Mr.. Ed d. Wright, tho well.known criminal
lawyer, was asked to-day by n CRITIC reporter
for his views on the proposition to abolish tho
Police Count and substitute therefor tho police
magistrate system OF trying minor ofrenses
against the District and United States laws.
Hasaid; 81 read the interview on this ques-
ton In The CRITIC with great deal OF inter-
est and indorse It heartily.
1.-THE man who was interviewed 10 level
headed man, and knows whereof no speaks.
"The present Police Court system is, In my
opinlon, barbarous and should DO replaced
by the magistrate system which Will AFFORD
comfort 10 the prisoners, speedy trial aud
lustlce TO all. hope that the present Police
Court Will be abolished aud In Its stead there
be designated, as in other cities, police mag
istrates who shall speedily dispose OF petty
and other misdemeanors Without delay.
"These are the views OF all prominent citi-
zens.
'At present prisoners are deprived OF the
necessaries OF life while incarcerated. Police.
men who should be on duty arc kept OF their
PEELED TO attend the Police Court all day.
Witnesses, although an appropriation is maie
for their fees, are not psid.
"This eystem is disgrace to any civilized
country.
"The Constitution OF the United States pro-
vldes that all persons accused OF criminal
oirepses shall DO entitled TO a fair and Impair
tlal trial by Jury summoned from the county
and district where the crimo Is committed.
"Hcnce in the opinion Of all constitutional
lawyers the Police Court is unconstitutional
In ITS organization for the reason that Jury
trial Is guaranteed 10 those who are charged
with violating the Federal laws In force IN the
District OF Columbia.
the supreme Court OF the District OF Columbia
holding General Term, In which Mr.. John
Mentally appeared as attorney, the Court de-
cided that while 1t was OF opinion that the Po-
lice Court was unconstitutional In It's de-
cisions, yet II would prefer the Supreme Court
OF the United States TO pass upon that ques-
TO It's constitutlonality.
"In the early history OF the court great
abuses existed, and the Legislature OF the Dis
trict OF Columbia ordered an Investigation OF
the conduct OF the Clerk of the Police Court
and Prosecuting Attorney.
"rhe committee discovered that great frauds
had been committed, and recommended the
adjustment OF the Police Court for trying
miedemeanors and other lower grades OF
crime.
tained and destroyed by persons Interested,
and the public was thwarted.
1.-THE Federal authorities have several times
threatened that II the Police Court should not
pay the expense OF Its maintenance it would
be abolished.
"Hence there fs no inducement to violate
the rule OF criminal law which provides that
oil doubt shall be solved In favor of the &C.
cused. And In many cases persons have boon
convicted or misdemeanors whero no convic-
tion under the law should have been had.
"And In several cases OF minor Importance
the clerk has himself imposed fines In his dis
erection. This is In violation OF every legitl.
mato court in the United States."
Mr.. u. u. Blunt, representing attorney OF
United States cases before the Police Court,
thinks that the Police Court Is desirable, be-
cause We get more uniform decisions than II
there were several magistrates. He says Judge
Smell, by his long experience, is the most COM
petent man for Judge OF the Police Court.
There are many abuses, however, such as
tho depriving persons arrested for trivial Of
felee9 of q eDeeQy trial. keeDtnn n of ~
licemen of their beats, etc.
Mr.. John L. McNally said he was decidedly
In favor OF 8bolishing the Police Court and
substituting the magistrate system OF trying
police cases. -