The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-12-12
LESSONS OF THE ELECTION,

LESSONS OF THE ELECTION.
All elections, whether great or small
by their results teach lessons which it
| would be well for parties as well as indi.
viduals to study and profit by. An cleo
ton for members of Parliament in Great
Britain signifies the peoples appreciation
! or disapproval Of the policy laid down by
the Ministry which represents the English
Government, and 80 also at national con-
tests in America for President or members
of Congress may be justly regarded. figur-
: atively speaking, as a barometrical reflex OF
the public sentiment Of q majority OF the
citizens. For this reason it may be safely
contended that the memorable campaign
of last year demonstrated an indubitable
disapprobation OF the course pursued by
the Republican party in flagrantly disrc
garding the high and important trusts
which had been confided to it's keeping for
almost a quarter of a century.
Municipal contests at the polls unmis-
takeably manifest the opinion of taxpayers
in favor or against the management OF city
affairs. Last Spring the Republicans elected
six members of the Council, the Police
Judge, Marshal and City Attorney, and the
Democrats two Aldermen, a Mayor and
City Treasurer. Wednesday last, at the
special election, the Democrats secured the
City Attorney and one member of the
Council, the only officers voted for, by a
decided majority, considering the light vote
polled. This result cannot fairly be re-
garded in any other light than that OF re-
pudiating the action Of the majority OF the
Council, and the manner OF enforcing the
police regulations OF the city. Complaints
against the latter have been SO frequent as
to convince the most disinterested that the
system is radically wrong, and that the
welfare and prosperity of the city, as well
as the security and happiness of the people,
demanded immediate reform.
These police regulations, OF which the
people complain, have gradually grown into
our municipal system, because no determ-
ined effort was wade prior t., the special
election to publicly condemn them. Ordi-
nances have been prepared and approved
by council having no other object in view
than that of increasing the fees which would
naturally flow into the hands and pockets
OF those officers, whose duty it was to en-
force them. These ordinances include, with
but few exceptions, the catalogue OF crimes
punishable under the Territorial laws. /
Some members Of the bar, after examining
them, have expressed their wonder that the
offenses contained in the Federal laws were
not enumerated among those attempted to
be made c%ognizable before the Police Judge.
The District Court has frequently decided
that these ordinances are null and void,
and in spite OF those adjudica-
by that tribunal, the inferior
has persisted in enforcing
them, by daily impositions OF fines, ilnpris-
and costs. The fines imposed un-
der the ordinances are Insignificant, hence |
not calculated to intimidate evil-doers, !
but the costs are tremendous. running all
the way from $50 to $50, depending upon
on the part of the prosecution. Under
This unparalleled system of police justice(D |
witnesses, who, in obedience to /!
the court, are compelled to leave their bust
ness or work, must do SO without any com
pensation. and SO must those answering a |
issued by the prosecution, unless
the defendant is adjudged guilty and has
money enough to pay the costs. Witness
ees assessed as costs, and paid, form a
very considerable item in the perquisites
pertaining to all inferior iudicatures, be-
cause they are very seldom called for by
entitled to them.
The prosecution is not held responsible
any court for the defendants witness
ICES, but it is so held in all other courts. !
except our police tribunals, for those testi-
Tying in it's behalf. The city is liable for it's
fees. and council ought to make
provision to pay them. Fines FOR violat-
Ing city ordinances ought to rule and not
City Council should at once repeal all
which, under the charter and
avs, it has no authority to enact, and
pay it's officers salaries for their services,
Dr. reasonable fees in all cases, whether
are convictions or not. By this
means only can an officer faithfully and
mpartially discharge his duties, for then
lis judgment will not be biased by
The hope OF pecuniary gain off OF the mis-
OF culprits who are adjudged
guilty. Abolish all fees in the Police Court
md impose fines upon the guilty ones.
will prove the better plan.