The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-16
A FAMOUS INSTITUTION.
eHEI,BY's CRIMINAL COURT As
AGAINST THE WHOLE STATE.
More Cases and Fewer Appeals Than
Any In the Land-How 1t 10 Accom-
piished--A Jury OF Eleven Men
swolls 10 the Requisite Number.

Among the most famous institutions in
mis- part OF the State is the Shelby crimi-
nal court. II is fast bringing itself and
West Tennessee into unusual prominence
thiouphon, the whole commonwealth. AS
such II Is wonderful prolific friend to the
newspaper reporter, burdencd with ankle
~ M TO where he will find something TO
entertain those who daily read after him.
But transactions Of the sensational charac-
Ter nrc accompanied by most excellent
work in filling the ponitontiary with Grim
inals. Agent joe Turney left yesterday
with Eve prisoners, with more or less
lengthy terms hanging oyerihem, and this
was his second string in one week. Last
Monday he transplanted twelve individuals
convicted OF ielonies aud higher crimes.
During the last term OF court nincty.four
were sent np--more than double the entire
docket ri Davidson county. II the pres
cni rate of convictions continues this term
will have record OF over 100. But II
scons 90 De good season for catchingevil-
docn all over the State. During the month
OF February los were received NJ the pen
iteniiary and set Ia work serving out terms
given them by juries and confessions.
When IL i remembered that February N
the shortest month In thesear, tile wonder
is where will the lcssees store their respon-
abilities Without the coal mines, rnil-
roads and other outside employmonts the
supply would b. far In excess Of the de-
mand.
Another singular fact IN connection
With the shelby criminal courts business
IA the small number Of appeals nom the
Judgments Singular 20 relate, during the
year 1887 there were only three appeals TO
the supreme court, against former aver
aee OF about thirty. These were George
Millngton, convicted OF murder In the
second degree; Fred Davis, convicted OF
siealing n mule, and another negro whose
name Is not remembered. But IN connec-
ton with this excellent showing II will
act be forgotten that M nmary methods
prevail, and few, IL any, prisoners having
money OF influence have Joined the
caravan" moving toward Nashville.
Complaints that there existed ring about
the courthouse powerful enough To defeat
Justice ia such eases have been heard
more than once. The other class cannot
Misc the wind for an appeal, hence sui
enly resign themselves 10 fate.
There are moro points than ono In Tia
record OF the criminal court for railroadin
criminals 10 the pcnitentiary. Mcmphl
4. railroad and river city, and at man
scasons 81 the year II infested with erin
inaily-incllnod individuals Of every strip
They land here one day, enter upo
their mischief ut once, and IN majorii
-ol cases are behind the ban In lc
than twenty.four hotr4 A case In poll
occurred about two weeks ago. n,
prisoners were arraigned, changed with v
nous fclonious acts, and eight Of them Ia
arrived only n few houn previous 10 q
nest. This reflects infinite credit upon n
small but efficient police iorc Of the cit
The members seem 10 know crook mo
his very air, and few Of them succeed
doing the unwary 10 any great extent b
ing hauled In.
A peculiar case came 10 light abol
three weeks ago which came near cntai
Ing heavy additional expense, but vi
averted only by terror on the part Of u
prisoner. Ambrose Chambers, your
colorcd man, WIS on trial for q
sault 10 commit murder. Jud
John 7. Moss was coun,
for the defense. Difficulty aruse In sccr
ing the twelfth juryman, and the attorn
waived his constitutional right and We