The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-21

settlement of voluntary assignments. In ditch
| proceedings only questions of law should be ap-
pealed. The same rules should be applicable to
| partition proceedings.
Second-Of the Criminal Courts: Let the
| State be divided into criminal circuits, with a
Criminal Court in each county. For each cir
cult have judge and prosecuting attorney. In
each county have deputy prosecuting attorney.
1t should be the duty of the latter to prepare
cases for trial in the Criminal Circuit Court. try
ali cases before justices Of the peace and the
Mayor, and assist in the Circuit Court in trials
and before the grand jury HIS pay should De
the fees allowed by law, and he should be APP
pointed by the prosecuting attorney. The latter
should be man of ability. The salaries, both
Of the judge and prosecuting attorney. should
be equal. and ar least So 500, if not $4,000
take it that fourteen circuits would be amply
sufficient.
Of all criminal business. except such as is not
cognizable before justices of the peace and may
ors Cases before the latter should be appeaable
to this court From this court cases could be
appealed to the Supreme Court; but appeal
in misdemeanors should be allowed, unless
constitutional question is involved.
In these criminal courts the criminal law
would be more swiftly and surely administered
Criminals would not escape because OF the lack
of ability in the prosecuting officers. They
would not be open to the objection that is urged
now against criminal COURTS that they tend to
gather the corrupt practitioners and tricksters
who connive with the officers of the court and
permit the criminal to escape just punishment,
for the terms would necessarily be of short dura-
ton, and thus prevent opportunities for such
Vaccinations
To the Civil Circuit Courts should be left all
civil business, and appeals from justices of the
peace of civil cases. Appeals to the Supreme
Court should be limited according to the amount
involved, not less than 500, and to questions in
volving the validity of statute, a right
secured by the Constitution. Twenty circuits
would be sufficient; and the salary of the judges
need not exceed So. 900 year.
If found necessary. in those counties where
superior courts now are, they could be retained.
But it is probable that Allen, Tippecanoe. Vigo
and Vanderburg would have no use for their
Superior Courts
It is to be admitted that this plan involves
more cost to the State than the present system.
But it is duty the State owes to the litgant
and the people to afford him and them relief
The costs need not be very much greater, and no
more to the litigant We should bear in mind
that in this State litigation is unusually cheap;
and / often think that the remark of the late
Judge Worden to myself is true He said: "In
this State we have made the law too cheap"
Let US make comparison of the present system
with the proposed. We have now forty nine
circuit court, and seven superior and one Grim
ihal court judges.
PRESENT COST.
Forty whine circuit court judges at So, 500
per year $lZZ,0OO
per year ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. "a, 500
per year -................ 500
Eight other judges at $50, 900 per year.. $4,000
Total $171, 500
COST OF PROPOSED PLAN
500 per year - 800. 1886, 900
500 per year $4,000
year 49,. o... ...ee. 800 ~ $4,000
Ninety-two probate judges at average
OF 81, 600 per year OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES $4,000
Total 1912, 900
Deduct present cost. .$171 500
Difference in cost Observation-Disclosures. $40, 500