Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-01-03

called upon - serve. 10 BE sure, the
present Justices are men Of SQUAD Jug
msnt ana falr kaeslssge ot the law.
bat lE wall not - presumed that they arc
as web qualified or able 70 dispatch buss-
ness as would be one learned 10 the
Law. The Dill 60 be introduced By Sen
ator Dofan is eatitled "A Bill 20 Or
game and establish Justices Courts
IN tae Cisy of Grand Rapids. ard 70
Repeal All Acts and Parts OF Acts IN
Any Wise Coatrayening the Prsyissons
Of This Act" The first section pro-
vides that there shall be established
court 10 be- known as the "Justlces
Courts Of Grand Rapids" which small be
presided over By two Justaceso Of the peace.
Section 2 provides that ~ the city elec-
ton 10 be held in 1881, there shall be
elected one of said justices 10 serve TWO
years and one 10 serve four years, and
that one justice OF the peace Aforesaid
snail be elected At every second annual
election held thereafter. No one shall
be eligible TO the otfee who Is not an
elector of the city and an attorney and
counsellor al law qualified 10 practice
in the State courts. The term Of office
begins on the first Monday in May
succeeding the election. Section
provides that the circuit court shall ap-
point clerk OF the justices courts
within ten days OF the first day OF May
each alternate year. who shall be sub
ject 20 removal by the appointing power
without assigned cause. Section
provides for the filing of bond by the
clerk 50 appointed IN the Office
of the treasurer, IN the sum
of 5000, conditioned upon the
faithful performance OF his duties.
Section 5contalns provision for special
election 10 nil vacancies III the othce OF
Justice OF the peace above mentioned,
II the same occur before February /, or
any year, otherwise the Common Coun-
Gil shall appoint for the balance of the
unexplred term. The justices shall
have equal and concurrent jurisdiction
III all cases. Sec. Z. 1.-The said justices
and clerk shall receive no fees or per-
quisites for their services performed
under the provisions of tins act, but In
lieu thereof each OF said justices of the
peace shall receive an annual salary OF
not less than 1920, nor exceeding S2OO0,"
to be fixed by the Common Council; the
clerk shall receive a salary of not less
than $500, nor exceeding $1,000, ali of
which are to be paid III equal monthly
Installments. Sec. s provides that the
supervisors shall provide suitable court
rooms, stationery, etc. The justices
shall attend upon their Offices on all
days set apart by law for the transac-
ton OF business. The duties oil the
clerk are mlnutely set forth, and are
substantially the same rs those of a
circuit court clerk. Sec. s. ''The JUS
tees OF the peace now IN Office may
continue 10 act as if this act had not
been passed, until the expiration of
their terms" The law closes with re-
pealing clause. The original draft
from which the above is con-
densed will be changed and amend
ed III yerbiage, but the general
provisions Will remain the same.
Justice w. A. Hydorn asked what he
thought of the proposed law, said in sub
stance: "I do not think 1T will stand, If
passed. | do not believe it is constitu-
tional to reduce the number of Justices.
knocked the other two Justice bill out,
and it seems to me that 1t Will be folly
TO try il over again, for somebody will
be required to pay the court expenses
sure 10 follow Its test. | am not op-
posed to making the offices salaried;
could not afford to serve, however,
for less than $500. A mans time is
pretty we'll consumed in this business.
[ have all / can possibly attend to,
many days being obliged to enter up
nine or ten judgments, and that is no
boys play" Here the justice opened
up his journal and displayed solid pages
of entries including every day of the
week. "You Can see by that how well
occupied is my time" The proposed
bill was drawn by James Z. Mcbride,
attorney, who in speaking of it, SAID;
"The bill is yet crude, bat it contains
the central idea in mind to improve
and dignity our courts of inferior jur-
isdict!on. | can not see how any con-
stitional objections can be urged against
the bill; however, they may exist.
We have endeavored to elevate the
court on to a plane equal to tnat occu-
pied by the circuit and other courts,
and have provided that attorneys alone
! should be eligible. | can not under
stand why justice in an inferior court
should be less intelligent than in
| court of record, and lawyers pretty
generally advocate change from the
| ant,quaJed custom OF electng old men
10 this important Office, without any
| regard for their qualifications to dis
charge the duties. When the crude
draft is finished think the Legislature
| will pass it, for / think it means q
greatly improved system for our grow
| ing city,"