The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1891-01-22

tive and able exposition of The Lill.
For many years the people had been
complaining, he said, on account Of
costs, and this bill was calculated to
relieve them. The solicitors, being
fair-minded men, could not object.
The Fay. he thought, was ample.
Take the Second District, for in
stance. There were over 800 bills
and not over 400 convictions report
ed. The county had to pay the cost
in the other 400 cases. These 100
cases would perhaps amount to $50
each-an aggregate of $28, 900. This
bill would save that amOunt-so
much for an illustration. AS the
Jaw now stands, if man steals a
pig to-day, COW tomorrow and a
sheep the next day, the solicitor can
make three separate cases, whereas
the intent Of the law is that one bill
should be made and the other cases
put in as an aggravation of the Of
fense for the Judge to take into con-
sideration when sentencing the con-
victed. If the accused should be in
solvent the country has about 800
of cost to pay under the present sys-
tenn, but the Solicitor gets his fee in
each case. There was no danger of
increasing taxation by this bill. He
was frank to say iLat the bill did not
meet the approval of the Solicitor
from his district. But he looked at
the question as one benefitting the
whole people of the State
A number of Senators spoke against
the the bill, among them Messrs.
Avery, Gilmore and Greene.
Mr.. Greene, of Harnett, said he
did not see how the bill would help
the Treasury. He was satisfied that
crime was decreasing and litigation
was waning. How then would So
licitors be paid, except out Of the
Treasury? He was opposed to the
bill. Tie people had not studied
the question and he was in favor OF
discussion. Two years from now
would be soon enough TO pass such
a bill.
Mr.. Butler believed the best inter.
ests Of the people would be subserv-
ed by passing the bill now before
the Senate. 1t is now esti mated
that the Solicitors salaries in the 12
judicial Districts amounted to be
tween $25, 200 and $4,000. Under
the present bill the amount paid
would be $21 800. This would make
a saving of from $4,000 to 10000,
and this money all comes out Of the
of the people. The bill could be
we'll entitled "A bill to reduce the
salaries of Solicitors" All the cost
reported to the Attorney General
was not the full amount paid by the
people. The time of citizens drag
ged from their farms and shops
could not be estimated. ItWas time
gone forever. A county was terribly
cursed by loss Of time, by loss OF
fines and costs and by loss due by in.
solvents, which now falls upon the
county. Under this bill no insoivent
tax is charged upon the county
Every Judge in the State, as far as
he knew, favored such a change
and every Solicitor opposed it, with
the exception of Solicitor Allen, OF
this district, who was probably the
only one who did aot receive much
more in fees under the present ar
rangement than the salary fixed ir
this bill.
Mr.. Bellamy said it had been sale
that this measure was an untried ex
pertinent. He said it was not so
| New Hanover, Meeklenburg auC
and Buncombe had adopted crimiaa
courts with Solicitors paid by sala
ries.
The criminal court in Wilmington
had grown in popularity. The pee
pie had confidence in it. Crime hat
decreas ed in New Hanover county
The court had done good. The cost
paid the salary of the Solicitors. HI
favored the bill. His only objection
was that the selary was too small.
Mr.. Allen moved that it be post
poned and made special order 70
Friday Of next week. He wishe,
more light on the subject.
Mr.. Butler was always in favor Q
more light, but he was opposed t
postponement as it would seem t
invite lobby to Raleigh to wor
, against the bill.
Some one asked him if he mean
to say he beloved any Senator O
the floor could be so Influenced.
He replied that he meant no sue
thing, he made no such insInuatior
but we should be guided by tn
; Book of Books and avoid the a,
pearance of evil. One thing We
certain. there were Solicitors no,
in Raleigh who get from $4,000 t
So, 500 in fees, fighting the bill, an
the opposition was stronger to-da
than yesterday.
The motion to postpone was 10:
and the bill passed its third readin