The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-08-21
THE FARMERS UNION AND
THE JUDICIARY.

ments of large majority OF the peo-
pie, as the Circnit Court, or Court OF
Appeals, is considered an unnecessary
and expensive Court. There is not
the press of business in the courts as
to require such large expenditure OF
money in the way of salaries that is
required to support the Judges OF this
Court. Besides, the attorneys com
plain that there is no established Jurls-
prudence in the State, as the decisions
| in one circuit conflict with those In
another.
The number of District Judges are
too great for the requirements OF the
public service, some districts compos-
ed of only one Parish having two
while many single Parishes constitute
q judicial district. In this district
there are two, which is the largest one
|
in the State, and lutte as much bus'-
ness in the conrts.
In conversation with several attor-
news who are familiar with the merits
of the several judicial systems in this
State since 1915, we find that there is
: a decided preference for the Parish
e Judge system as less expensive, more
f. expeditions and satisfactory. 1t is
i claimed that the criminal jurisdiction
of the Parish Court should be enlarg'
ed to the trial of all offences where
the punishment is not necessarily i'm
" prisonment in the penitentiary, ant
% where the punishment can excee'
~ seven years imprisonment. Thl
would give jurisdiction to the Parisl
" Court to try all misdemeanors, AM
o. thus rid the District Court of this bur
a. den. The Parish Court could b
le omen at all times, and the first of eve
n nv month a jury could be drawn to tr
all criminal cases coming within ii
n. Jurisdiction, and jury of five or 81
Is would be sufficient. The District A
o. torney could be required to file bi
n of information SO soon as person
gil charged with an offence, and prosec'
ton proceeded with without delay an
N cost. The Parish Judge could
* <, given jurisdiction in all civil matte
III, where the amount in dispute does n
OF exceed one thousand dollars, with Il
ss right of appeal in all cases to the ID
we trict Court where the amount in CO
MI troversy exceeds two hundred dolla
eli This done the Judicial Districts cou
NY be enlarged say from four to sew
ere Parishes, with two terms of Court
lot year, when grand juries would be e
so paneled and criminal and civil bu
IL" ness within its jurisdiction disposed
''n- This system would be much nj
,nf satisfactory to the attorneys, less
pensive in the way of Jail fees a
other costs of court, and ensure sp
s 'n dy trial and punishment for all CRU
ear and misdemeanors.
ent AT the same time the jurisdiction
ner- the Magistrates could be enlarg
'a h say to all sums where the amount
nd dispute does not exceed two hund
III dollars, with right of appeal from tt
ark decisions in all matters where
ta'r amount in dispute exceeds twenty
"'es dollars, and with such criminal ju
spr. diction as might he conferred by !
mes. These changes will necessitate
send Their amendments to the State Cor
And tuition or Constitutional Convent
can and on this subject there is a G
the difference of opinion. This we do
girls propose to discuss here. Other cl
we ges to the law in reference to the !
see. ment of criminal and fines coult
made, which would be efhcaciou
" ~ preventing crime and relieve the
~. ish of great burden in trying,
''''' portinf and furnishing the GRIN
RI class.
In several States of the Union
y""e law compels all persons convicted
'ins' crime to pay the cost of prosecu
I the and fine, if any is imposed, or ii
sour fault thereof the ronyicted part
ell IN hired out to the highest bidder to
'aper until bis fine is paid. If this was
ffooe- case this Parish would be relieve
tue the payment of several thousand
miles lars a year for the arrest, trial
been punishment Of the violetors of the
i be and the money thus expended
rho be applied to the support Of an
"' cient public school system, which
lence much needed.
ansas We cannot expect any very
IL