Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-07
GOING FOR ALDERMEN
'Sq uire Beinhauer Sees the Necessity
Of Sweeping Reforms.
TOO MANY TRIVIAL CASES HEARD.
They Cause Annoying Delays and Make
Unnecessary Costs.
HE WILL WORK WITH LEGISLATORS

Alderman Beinhauer, of the Twenty ninth
ward, has reform movement under consid-
Grafton which he confidently expects will
cause quite q commotion among the Alder
men of the city generally, and he proposes
to bring it before theme Leg islature.
His ambition is cut off, as tar as possible,
the thousands upon thousands of petty cases
that are constantly being sent to court for
final settlement, and thereby save the
higher tribunals much annoyance and de-
lay, and taxpayers thousands Of dollars
yearly in the matter of costs.
The Squire unfolded his ideas at con-
siderable length to DIsP ATCH reporter
last night. Among other things he said:
"Since my election to this Office have
learned to my complete satisfaction that
very large per cent of the cases
that come before the Aldermen of
this city should never be heard at all.
feel perfectly safe in saying that I turn
away over half the cases that are brought to
me. Now, while 90 not feel that this re-
fleets any particular credit on myself, 1
know that we have Aldermen who will take
anything that comes along, no matter how
trivial it may be.
SOME OF THE 'soUIRE's POINTS.
"Under our laws a man can make an in
formation before an Alderman, when he has
absolutely no case at all, his motive being
purely malicious. No matter what becomes
of the action, the prosecutor cannot be made
to pay the costs. This is one point. Another
is that these petty cases are constantly being
sent to the higher courts, and the result is
they delay legitimate business to a damag-
ing extent, while the useless costs pile up to
extraordinary amounts.
"Now, my desire is to see the law which
is in force in Beaver, Bradford, Clarion,
Crawford, Erie, Forest, Lawrence, Lehigh,
Luzerne, Mercer, Northampton, Northum-
berland. Perry, Pike, Snyder, Union,
Washington, Wayne and Wyoming coun-
ties made general throughout the State. Of
course, it would have to be q general act as
the days OF special legislation have gone by
In this State. The act OF 1861 gives Alder
men and justices of the peace in these coun-
ties power to hold justice courts, where petty
cases may be tried by juries consisting Of
six men.
Among the cases over which these courts
have jurisdiction may be mentioned bias
phemy, distui bance of public meetings,
lewdness, cruelty to animals, selling un-
wholesome provisions, assault and battery,
larceny, where the amount does not exceed
$40, malicious trespass, etc. The verdict
in these cases shall be final and conclusive,
subject, however, to provisions for regular
methods of appeal. These cases are tried
before a jury of six men, and they have
power to fix the costs, the same as in higher
courts. The 'squire's fee shall be 81 for
each case, and the jurymen receive so cents
each.
AN OUTLINE OF THE LAW.
"This is q rough outline of the law.
though there are many minor provisions, as,
for instance, trial by jury is optional with
the defendant; all fines imposed 60
TO the school treasures of the districts where
the ofenses were committed and if costs are
placed upon the prosecution, the prosecutor
can be held until the same are paid. Now,
any one can readily see that under this law
cases would not be as numerous as at pres
sent. People would stop and consider the
situation before they would rush into court
with every little family quarrel or clothes
line fight. have cited only some of the
more important features of this law.
There are many effective minor clauses,
and wherever 1t has been tried it has
given complete satisfaction. People who
have important cases in court are often
times subjected to the most annoying de-
lays, solely on account OF these trivial
affairs, and it is time that some relief should
be granted.
"Another point is that there would not be
as many possibilities for taxing up illegal
fees or diverting fines from the proper chan
nels as at present, for the justices would be
held under closer lines, and the ultimate
result would be the election of better men to
these offices"
"How do you propose to 60 about the
work you have undertaken"
"Why, 1 intend to see every Senator and
Representative in the county and lay the
whole matter before them, and ask their as
sistance in bringing it before the representa-
tives of the people this winter. 1t is ques-
tion that has worth enough to stand on Its
own merits, and I am satisfied that men will
be found willing to take up the cause. The
reform is badly needed, particularly in this
city, and this of itself should be sufficient to
secure for it hearty support"