The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1891-09-19
s.mesAi.s wrong As..s Denmark.

ssmething Wrong Aseus Denmark,
Hearing some rumors in high
places regarding the meager sum,
that find their way to the County
Treasurer, for the use of school fund,
under Sections 1923 and 1870, Re
vised Statutes of 1889, we took the
trouble of examining the records in
the county clerks office relating to
such matters, and propose TO give the
people the benefit of our labor, that
they may from inquiry and memory
investigate the matter in each town.
ship, and thereby find out whether or
not our school children are getting
all that rightfully belongs to them.
The first section named provides,
4all fines and penalties imposed, and
all forfciturcs incurred, in any county,
unless otherwise directed by law,
shall be paid into the County Treas
ury thereof. tor the benefit of the
school fund of the County"
This is i wise provision of the law
and TO be of much benefit to the
school fund every wear.
Section 1870, provides the manner
of gathering this harvest into the
granary of the people.
at shall be the duty Of the Justice
before whom q conviction may be
had under this article, If there be no
appeal, to make out and certify, and,
within ten days deliver to the
Treasurer of the County and Clerk
of the County Court, each a state
mcnt of the case, the amount of the
fine and return day of the execution,
and the name of the constable charged
with the collection thereof;
with a heavy penalty attached tor
failure.
Thus, it will be seen that the duties
of the officers are clear and well de-
fined. Yet, with all these safeguards
but little money finds its way into
the school fund from that source.
Although the people of this coun-
ty. as a general rule, are very peace
able and law abiding, still they are
not angels by any means, for so long
as "old Adam is in them they will
and do have their spats, and in mo-
ments of anger violate the law. Con-
stables are generally OH the lookout
for fees. and smell the pray affair of,
letting but few of the b%cligerent part
les 90 scot free.
This being the fact what becomes
of the fines? There must be a con-
siderable number assessed during the
year and but few reach the county
treasury. This is a matter that needs
looking after. Every school board
throughout the county is interested
in this, and ought to look it up, and
if there be any stray VS. laid away for
safe keeping, constitute yourselves
into a smelling committee to find
them, and then a body guard to see
them safely under lock and key in
Judge Sawyers big safe at jackson.
For the information of all concern
ed we will append a list of fines, by
whom assessed, and the amounts re-
ported during the present year. 1t is
rather q strange document, and brings
to light strange facts. Take this
for instance, with its City
Court grinding out its grist of cul-
prits every morning for the benefit
of the-let us think a moment-Re-
corder, City Attorney and Dog Catch
er-yes that is it, reports to the coun-
ty treasurer more fines assessed by
our jusice than all the balance of the
county besides. Yet, we are a law
abiding. church-going, very peace
able. and VIC believe will compare
with our country neighbors. Let the
list speak for its self.