Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-10-11
A Lie Nailed!

We have received the following communlca-
tion from Judge Meekison, which refutes the
silly charges of the Republican gang that he,
as we'll as Judge Donnelly. had taken illegal
fees. The charge was SO devoid of common
sense that we have paid no attention to it, but
as Judge Meekison has called attention to
sections of the statute bearing on the matter,
we give them for the benefit of our readers
and those interested. In this connection we
might state the amount has been allowed the
Probate Judge through many years, during
which time several of the county commits
sioners have been Republicans. The statute
is plain, and is as follows:
Sec. 6469. In the exercise OF criminal jurisdic-
tion, the probate judges shall be considered hold
ing monthly terme, CONNIE ncing on the first Monday
Of each month: provided, that the county commits
sioners in any county where such court has juris.
dicton may, By order entered on their journal and
published for three successive weeks in some news
paper printed within the county, fix Its terms at
longer intervals, and In like manner change such
order. ts5 v. 176. IL.
SEQ. 6i7O The Judges Of said probate courts
shall be paid for their services in criminal
such sums as the commissioners Of said counties
may allow, which sums shall be paid out Of the
county treasury Of said counties, respectively, and
tion oy way OF in any criminal business Of which
they have jursdicton but all costs, and all fines
by said probate court imposed, including the fees
OF the judge, shall be cOllected in the same manner
fines and costs are now collected by the court OF
common pleas, and the same by said probate judges
shall be paid into the county treasury. lbs v. 176,
s15l
Judge Meekison says:
EDITOR NoRrHwEsT:-Itha has Eot been my custom
to rush into print on the appearance Of every poli
cal canard, but when see standing in the col
umns Of the Signal, from ignorance or some more
unworthy reason, from week to week q demand thai
there shall be paid back into the treasury $l2s
alleged to have been unlawfully paid TO me- and
charging that 1t is without warrant OF Law, think
that It is time to notice 1t. II the Commissioners
compelled them to do 1t; nor did they pay me any
sum for which did not render adequate services
The Signdlsays that 1t was unlawful. Anyone
Of an inquiring turn Of mind has but to turn "a
Probate Court Is compelled to hold one term oi
criminal court each month, beginning on the FIRST
Monday Of each month. and the court is held opeu
during the whole month for the transaction Of
criminal business.
Some months there is more, some less. Wher
there Is less all good citizens rejoice as 1t speaks
well for tho county: but much or little the Probate
Judge must be there ready to attend to whatever
comes.
| For this service the salary is and has been fol
years $50 per monthly term, which iucludes every
thing connected with the cases. The Signal sayl
that there 10 no law for this service and at best th
/ Probate Judge should only be paid for tho case
heard. For such as desire information on this sub
ject have to referto section 40 OF the Statutes
| At each term Of Common Pleas Court q jury Il
summoned; suppose at the end Of tile term II wa
proposed 70 pay them according to the business
| they done and cuses heard instead Of the days II
attendance, aD dit happened to be quiet, term wou
| be fairf In like manner the Probate Judge canno
regulate The volume Of business, but as BY law b