The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-10-23
MEMORIAL OF THE TRIAL JUSTICES To-
THE GRAND JURY.
A Strong Presentation Of the Wrong
Side of the Subject.

The ne undersigned Trial Justices Of HbbeyilIe
County respectfully show to your Honorable
That after years experience as to the oper-
alton OF the law passed at the last session OF
the Legislature In reference TO the Trial ) us, {
tice's Court, for this County, they feel impell-
ed by q. sense Of public duty, TO report to Yon
That 1t has virtually rendered the Trial JUS !;
tices pOweriess to enfore the criminal law, be-
Gauss ef the inadsqnaoy Of M the e pay M a'owsd 70
required OF them, and that the continuance of
the present law on the statute books, will, in
their Judgment, prove disastrous 10 the good
order and peace Of the County. S2.szl 81
? Your memorialists respectfully present to (
your Honorable body the following consider!
ations. and ask your careful attention 70 Inc
IL ia well known to yonr body. thatthe Tri-'
al Justices Court is engaged almost exclusive
ly;in adjudicating cases pertaining 70 one
class Of our population, and that class greatly
in the majority, whose Impulses and 1nexpe-5
rience as citizens, require the constant advice
aud restruint Of those clothed with authority
to force obedience. That among TINS class
there arises hundreds Of minor. and sseeming.
iy trivial complaints, but which TO Them are :
serious grievances, which must be corrected,
requiring in the Trial Justice the exercise OF
much wisdom, prudence and SKILL IL, on the.
contrary. such complaints d. are dhisregarasesS, h
bis own methods OF defense, while the onend-s
er becomes emboldened and continueshi his ag.e
Rression step by step fom bad 70 worse.
Thus results state of lawlessness and iconfn.
sion which endangers the safety and peace OF:
the community. .9ls ~ "a -sss.lgS
The importance or the Trial Justices Court
peace OF the County 81 due TO the efficiency OF
the Trial Justice system more than 70 all otn.i
er agencies, because OF the summary ana
prompt restraint imposed on the oHepder
vnnced for the solution Of the yexed negro
problem, now engaging the attention OF the
country, none is OF more immediate yalue
than the prompt enforcement OF the law, and
class. Your memorialtist are not unmindfni
however, of the fact that the ofice ,of. Trial
Justice, and those engaged In the admintstra-i
ton Of Its duties, are hamperee with nnreat:
|sonable restrictions, and yet are expected 20
meet the requirements OF the position Dy
those who have no experience. and Know.
nothing OF the difficulties that daily arise Sfora
frequently applied TO for advice, and none are
confronted with more numerous, Intricate
and difficult questions touching the social re-
lations OF this class OF persons-tneir marital
right, and the small pittances due them for
their services, than the officers OF this Court,
and yet no encouragement is given them IN ,
the discharge Of their duties.
From an economic stand point the tTrtal
Justices Court is OF the greatest value, and
ought TO be utilized to the fullest extent Al
most the entire business which engages the
attention of the Circuit Court, especially on
.
same class Of our population and, and hence
the great bulk of the expense OF the Circuits
Court is incurred In the administration OF the
criminal law among them. ~ !! q! q .s TX
The Trial Justice Court Is, by all odds, best
suited TO their condition. Their necessities
require convenient Tribunal for the cheap;
and speedy adjustment OF their wrongs and
grievances. ,..,,s5sst
This fact is recognized and adopted In the
division OF our territory into restricted judi.
cial districts, as matter of convenience and
economy to the people, and that system Is
best and cheapest which brings the adpinis-
tration OF the law nearest them. s, So
Under the existing law, which In erect de.
prives the Trial Justice of the service OF 2
Con stable, he will be compelled TO send all,
his warrants to the Sheriff OF the County TO
have them executed, and thus, instead OF II
proving nm economical measure, will entail
upon the County an enormous expense.
Your memorialists respectfully ask your
Honorable body to recommend to the Legis.
lature either 3 repeal. of'the act Of the last
session or an increase In reference to the saia-
ries OF Trial Justices and Copstables for this
County. ya ts'rl -#ss2a