The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-01-29
EXTEND THEIR JURISDIC-
TON.

idClS ellClleu are QuiIe Startling 10 tHe
taxpayers. A recent criminal tern
in Natchitoches Parish cost the alarm
ing sum of $4,000, and in Calcasieu
$4,000 was the footing up of the crimi
nal outlay-and in many other Par
ishes the increasing expense is causing
the burden bearers to cast about fol-
some remedy.
Here in East Carroll the criminal
term is now on, and what the expense
will be we are unable to estimate as
yet; but we note that the grand jury
was empanelled on the 9Th inst, and
have been in session ever since, bar.
ring the srh Of January, and it is now
as we write, we'll on towards the close
Of the second week. With esses in
large numbers have been summoned
from the extreme ends of our Parish to
testify before the grand jury; and from
what we can learn, there are com.
plants enough presented to keep the
grand body another week or more, il
they should conclude to entertain
them. In fact, the large number of
frivolous charges presented, many of
them from the several magistrate
eoagts, are becoming extensively an
noying, and in many instances bur
lesQae on justice.
In the face of such a condition Of
things, it Will look like recklessness
10 propose an extension Of the jurisdic-
ton OF the Justices of the Peace in the
several wards, both in the civil and
criminal departments, yet such is our
proposition, and such measure we
regard as the only available remedy
Tor the evil that is not only increasing
taxation but often evading the ends of
justice by its hardness. 1t NAV be
urged that there is but one really in.
telljgent and well-informed white JUS
tice of the Pease in our Parish. the
rest being colored, but limited educa
ton and less of the necessary knowl-
edge to fill the positions they now oc-
cupy, with their limited jurisdiction;
aud to extend that jurisdiction under
such circumstances would be dan
gerous experiment; and it is we'll
known that the preponderauce of col
ored voters in this section is calculated
to perpetuate the magistracy in the
hands Of this class of people. This
objection can be readily met by enact
ing that certain qualifications should
be essential to the fitness for Justices
Of the Peace, as in the case of Notaries
Public and other positions of impor-
lance commissioned under the broad
seal of the State.
That there is necessity for reform
u the minor crimina. matters continu-
ally transpiring, no one can deny.
For instance: A fight takes place on
plantation, or elsewhere, an affidavit
5 made, warrant is issued, constable
'rrests, offender is brought before the
Justice of the Peace, bound over to
answer the charge, assault and bate
y, or whatever it may happen to be.
lie gives bond, goes on his way don't
aretively. In six months or less
curt cenvenes, papers are sent up by
he Justice Of the Peace, witnesses
ave moved away, can't be found, man
,oes free, justice too slow for anything
'ut accommodating costs. This will
.pp!y to many other classes of often
es, such as carrying concealed wea-
IONS, petit larceny, trespass and such
ike. Now, if the Justice of the Peace
5 empowered to give final decision in
uch cases, there and then, while the
estimony is on hand and all the facus
re fresh before the court, iuhicting
uch punishment as the offense might
emand-fiue and imprisonment, or i'm
risonment without fine, according to
aw-would there not exist a more
'holesome respect for the law among
he masses than now can be found with
he ponderous and expensive routine of
ed tape that leads up with much uncer-
ainty aud many mischaces to a posi-.
lie Indictment?
Would not tho speedy trial, 'conyic-
ion and punishment, diminish crime?
D say nothing of the vast saving made
time and money in eoparsion COM
arsion with the old routine and pro-
erbial laws days. This proposition
J a clear and conclusive one; then,
Thy not adopt it ? 1t will work ad-
antageously to law and order, and
essen crime without doing wrong to
le criminal.
AS to the civil jurisdiction one hun
red dollars is our Justices of the
'eace present maximum. Why not
So hundred Or more7 The capacity